You’ve seen the stainless steel triangles on the highway, but the inside of a Cybertruck is where the real polarizing stuff happens. It’s weird. Honestly, if you’re expecting a traditional truck cabin with chunky buttons and leather-wrapped everything, you’re going to be disappointed. Or maybe thrilled? It depends on if you like living in a minimalist art gallery that also happens to go 0-60 in less than three seconds.
Stepping in feels like entering a high-end sensory deprivation tank. There is almost nothing there. No stalks on the steering column. No physical vent tabs. Just a massive slab of dashboard and a screen that does literally everything. It’s a lot to take in at first glance, and frankly, the learning curve is steeper than the truck's windshield.
That "Steer-by-Wire" Yoke-Style Wheel
Let’s talk about the steering wheel because it’s the first thing you’ll notice when you sit inside of a Cybertruck. It isn't a circle. It’s more of a "squircle"—a flat-topped, flat-bottomed hybrid that feels more like a flight controller than a Ford F-150 wheel.
The big deal here isn't the shape, though. It’s the steer-by-wire technology.
There is no mechanical link between that wheel and the tires. Instead, redundant motors and sensors tell the wheels where to turn. This means at low speeds, you barely have to turn the wheel to get a full lock. You can pull a U-turn without ever crossing your arms. It feels twitchy for the first five minutes. Then, you get back into a "normal" car and feel like you're driving a horse-drawn carriage.
Tesla also ditched the stalks. Want to blinker? Use the buttons on the wheel. Want to shift into Drive? Swipe the screen. It’s controversial. Some long-time truck owners hate it. They want a gear slammer or at least a column shifter. Tesla’s gamble is that you’ll get used to it, and for most tech-forward drivers, they usually do.
The Massive 18.5-Inch Command Center
The heart of the inside of a Cybertruck is the 18.5-inch infinity touchscreen. It sits right in the middle, dominating the dashboard. This is your speedometer, your climate control, your entertainment, and your mirror adjustments.
It runs on a custom AMD Ryzen processor. It's fast. Like, iPad Pro fast.
Navigation looks stunning on this display, especially with the satellite view of terrain. But there's a catch. Since there are no physical buttons, you have to look at the screen to do basically anything. Adjusting the mirrors? Screen. Opening the glovebox? Screen. Aiming the air vents? You guessed it—you drag a little digital icon on the screen to move the physical fins hidden in the dash.
If you’re driving off-road in the desert and your hands are covered in dust or mud, interacting with a pristine glass panel isn't always ideal. Tesla fans argue it’s cleaner. Critics argue it’s a safety distraction. The truth is probably somewhere in the middle, but there’s no denying the software UI is years ahead of what Ford or Rivian are putting out.
The Rear Passenger Experience
Don't think the people in the back are forgotten. There is a secondary 9.4-inch touchscreen mounted on the back of the center console. Passengers can control their own climate, watch Netflix, or play games while you're stuck in traffic.
Legroom is decent, but because of that aggressive "vault" roofline, taller passengers might feel the ceiling getting a bit close to their forehead. It’s not cramped, but it doesn't feel as airy as a Model X. The floor is flat, though, which is a massive win for the middle-seat passenger who usually has to straddle a transmission hump in a gas truck.
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Materials, Durability, and the "Vault"
The inside of a Cybertruck doesn't use any animal products. It’s all "vegan leather" and recycled materials. The dashboard has this textured, grey finish that feels somewhat like a high-density foam or recycled paper. It’s soft to the touch but feels like it could take a beating.
Storage is everywhere.
- The center console is deep enough to hold a laptop or a small backpack.
- There are massive door pockets.
- Under-seat storage in the back lets you hide gear away from prying eyes.
Then there’s the glass. Tesla calls it "Armor Glass." It’s designed to be incredibly quiet. When you’re inside, the acoustic laminate makes the cabin feel eerily silent, even if you’re driving through a construction zone. It makes the 15-speaker sound system (which includes two dedicated subwoofers) sound incredible. It’s basically a rolling recording studio.
Visibility and the "Periscope" Problem
We have to talk about the rearview mirror. Or rather, the lack of one you can actually use.
When the motorized tonneau cover (the "vault") is closed over the truck bed, you cannot see out the back window. At all. It’s a solid wall of metal. To fix this, Tesla put a high-definition camera feed where a rearview mirror would normally be.
It takes your brain a second to adjust to looking at a screen instead of a reflection. The perspective is slightly different. The depth perception is different. But the field of view is actually wider than a standard mirror, so you lose the blind spots.
The A-pillars—the beams holding up the windshield—are also massive. Because they have to support the weight of the truck in a rollover, they are thick. This can create some tricky blind spots when you're turning left at an intersection. You’ll find yourself leaning forward and back to look "around" the pillar more than you would in a Silverado.
Practical Insights for Future Owners
If you are actually looking to live with the inside of a Cybertruck, you need to prep for a few things that the brochures don't mention.
First, fingerprints. That giant screen and the piano black trim pieces are magnets for oil. Keep a microfiber cloth in the center console. You will need it every single day if you don't want the cabin looking like a forensic crime scene.
Second, the "frunk" (front trunk). While not technically "inside" the cabin, it adds to the storage logic. It’s powered, so you can open it from the screen or the app. It’s great for groceries, but it’s not as big as the F-150 Lightning’s Mega Power Frunk.
Third, the power outlets. Inside the cabin and in the bed, you have access to 120V and 240V plugs. You can literally run power tools or a coffee maker directly off the truck’s battery. If you’re camping, the "Camp Mode" keeps the interior climate controlled all night while using very little battery percentage.
Actionable Next Steps
- Test the Steer-by-Wire: If you’re considering buying, don't just sit in it. You have to drive it. The variable steering ratio is the biggest "make or break" feature of the interior.
- Check the Height: If you have tall family members, have them sit in the back seat before you commit. That sloped roof is no joke for anyone over 6'2".
- Plan Your Charging: Ensure you have a NEMA 14-50 outlet or a Tesla Wall Connector installed at home. Relying on public chargers for a battery this size is a chore.
- Get a Screen Protector: Since the 18.5-inch display is the only way to control the vehicle, a matte screen protector can reduce glare and hide those inevitable fingerprints.