Honestly, it was only a matter of time. If you’ve been watching Tesla closely lately, you know they can’t resist dropping a good "Easter egg" in their corporate videos. This time, it wasn't a hidden meme or a funny license plate. It was something much bigger. While everyone was busy dissecting the bullet points of Tesla’s Master Plan Part 4, a few eagle-eyed fans noticed something sitting on a shelf in the background of the design studio. It looks like a Cybertruck, sure, but the roofline doesn't dive off a cliff at the back. It’s tall. It’s boxy. It’s basically the Tesla teases Cybertruck-inspired SUV in latest video moment we’ve all been waiting for since 2019.
Now, before we get too ahead of ourselves, Tesla hasn't officially opened up orders or even given this thing a name. But the clay models and digital renders shown in the video tell a pretty clear story. Tesla is looking to bridge the gap between the rugged, "love it or hate it" aesthetic of the Cybertruck and the family-hauling practicality of a traditional SUV.
Why the CyberSUV makes total sense right now
Look at the current lineup. You've got the Model Y, which is the best-selling car in the world, but it’s essentially a tall hatchback. Then there’s the Model X with its fancy doors and aging platform. But there is a massive, gaping hole in the market for a truly large, rugged, three-row electric SUV that can actually handle more than a gravel driveway.
Think about the Rivian R1S or the Cadillac Escalade IQ. Those are the heavy hitters. Tesla doesn't really have a direct answer for them yet. By using the existing Cybertruck platform—the 800-volt architecture, the steer-by-wire system, and that insane stainless steel DNA—Tesla can basically print a new vehicle without reinventing the wheel.
The teaser video showed a silhouette that keeps the sharp, "origami" folds of the truck but extends the cabin all the way to the rear bumper. This isn't just a design choice; it’s about volume. A "CyberSUV" would likely offer way more headroom for third-row passengers than the Model X ever could. Plus, let's be real: people want that "bulletproof" look without having to explain to their neighbors why they bought a pickup truck they never use for hauling lumber.
Technical guts: What's under the steel?
If this thing actually goes into production—and the presence of scale models in the design studio suggests it's way past the "napkin sketch" phase—it’s going to be a beast. We’re likely looking at the same powertrain options as the truck.
- Dual Motor AWD: The bread and butter. Expect around 600 horsepower and a range that hopefully clears the 300-mile mark easily.
- Tri-Motor "Cyberbeast" Version: Because why wouldn't you want an 800-plus horsepower SUV that can outrun a Porsche 911?
- The 48-Volt Architecture: This is the boring technical stuff that actually matters. It makes the wiring lighter and more efficient, which is a huge deal for a vehicle this heavy.
One big question remains: the "Exoskeleton." Tesla recently mentioned in a regulatory filing that they might not use the full stainless steel exoskeleton for all future vehicles because it’s a nightmare to manufacture. However, the models in the video clearly sport that same cold-rolled stainless look. Even if they move to a more traditional frame, the aesthetic is clearly staying.
The "Master Plan 4" connection
The video where this teaser popped up wasn't just a random promo. It was part of the rollout for Master Plan Part 4. Elon Musk has been talking about "sustainable abundance," and a big part of that is moving every possible vehicle segment to electric.
You can see the logic. The Cybertruck factory in Giga Texas is designed to pump out 250,000 units a year. Right now, they aren't hitting those numbers. Introducing a "CyberSUV" that shares 80% of its parts with the truck is the oldest trick in the automotive book to fill up factory capacity. It’s what GM does with the Silverado and the Suburban. It’s what Ford does with the F-150 and the Expedition.
What's actually different from the truck?
From the grainy frames in the video, the biggest change is the greenhouse. Instead of the triangular "apex" being the highest point of the car, the roofline stays flat for much longer.
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This fixes the Cybertruck's biggest "family" flaw: the vault. In the truck, if you want to carry something tall, you have to open the motorized cover. In an SUV version, that space is internal. You get a massive trunk, potentially a flat-folding third row, and—crucially—a real rear-view mirror. Because there’s no tonneau cover blocking the view, Tesla could finally give drivers a piece of glass to look through instead of relying solely on a camera feed.
Is this just a "Cybervan" in disguise?
There’s some debate in the community. Some people think what we saw isn't an SUV at all, but rather a dedicated transport van or "Robovan." Tesla has teased a high-capacity people mover for years.
But look at the ride height. The models in the video have significant ground clearance and chunky tires. That screams SUV. A van would likely sit lower to the ground to maximize interior volume and make it easier for people to hop in and out. This thing looks like it wants to go off-roading in Moab.
What most people are getting wrong about the timeline
Don't expect to see this in your driveway by Christmas. Tesla is currently slammed with the Cybercab rollout and the "Juniper" Model Y refresh. If we're being honest, a Cybertruck-inspired SUV is likely a 2027 or 2028 project.
Tesla usually follows a pattern:
- Hide a teaser in a video.
- Wait for the internet to lose its mind.
- Elon Musk confirms it "would be cool" on X.
- Official "unveil" event with a prototype that looks 90% like the finished product.
- Production starts two years later than promised.
We are currently at Step 2.
Actionable insights for the Tesla fan
If you're sitting on a pile of cash waiting for the ultimate Tesla family hauler, here’s how you should play it:
- Don't sell your Model X just yet. This new vehicle is still in the "clay model" phase of public awareness. You’ve got years of waiting ahead.
- Watch the Giga Texas expansion. Any permits for new assembly lines or "Body-in-White" structures usually leak months before an official car announcement.
- Keep an eye on the "Cyber" branding. Tesla recently trademarked several terms that hint at an expansion of the stainless steel family.
The reality is that Tesla needs a "halo" SUV. The Model X is great, but it’s no longer the futuristic alien craft it was in 2015. By taking the polarizing, "love it or hate it" design of the Cybertruck and turning it into a functional SUV, Tesla is doubling down on a brand identity that no one else can copy. It’s bold, it’s risky, and based on the reaction to that five-second clip in the Master Plan video, it’s exactly what the fans want.
Stay tuned to the official Tesla YouTube channel and Elon’s social media feeds. The next "leak" usually happens when someone "accidentally" drives a prototype near the Palo Alto engineering office.