We’ve heard a lot about the Tesla Cybertruck over the last year. We’ve heard the rumors, we’ve heard David Tracy’s take, and we’ve heard about a number of controversial issues. Now, we’re finally hearing from Captain Slow himself.
James May has been kind enough to throw his review on that most open of video sites, YouTube. There are high production values, that measured delivery honed on Top Gear, and the California coastline as a gorgeous backdrop. It’s good stuff.
The real question is what Mr. May thinks of this most controversial of “trucks.” Believe it or not? He’s a fan.
May takes the Cybertruck for a little drive, hands on the yoke-y wheel as he expounds upon the vehicle’s place in the automotive world. “We’re supposed to think of this car as radical,” says May. “Is this the Countach of the modern era, or maybe the Lagonda, or the DeLorean?” he asks. He notes that a lot of these designs have a “wow” factor, similarly being very angular with lots of flat planes.
“The flatness means that it has to be very very precisely made,” says May. On that note, he points out some of the visible flaws of the example he’s driving. “If you look here very closely, this piece here, on the A-pillar, that doesn’t align absolutely perfectly,” he explains. “It’s only a millimeter or so out, but you can see that, because it’s a straight line and a flat surface.” There’s also the simple fact that it’s quite a pointy machine. “It’s also got quite sharp edges, I wouldn’t want to be hit by it…” he says. In particular, he highlights the pointed corners up front. “You don’t really get corners on the fronts of cars normally but you do there!”
May also notes that sometimes in design, you need to create slightly curved surfaces instead of purely flat ones. “If you make things perfectly flat, especially when they’re shiny, they appear to be slightly shrunken,” he explains. Thus, he suspects the Cybertruck’s panels may indeed be slightly “bulbous” to counteract this visual effect. He inspects the vehicle with a steel rule, quickly determining that the “bonnet” (hood) has “a bit of a curve to it.” He then notes that most of the supposedly flat panels are indeed slightly “convex.”
Does May like the flat-plane futuristic aesthetic, though? He takes a moment to examine the vehicle and contemplate whether he actually likes it or not. “Yes, I do!” he decides. Fair enough, then.
The video also gets a little meta. “If you’re a YouTuber, [it’s] very difficult to film,” he explains. “Pretty much wherever you stand, you can see yourself… it’s like a hall of mirrors.” Obviously, that’s less of a problem when it gets a bit grimy and fingerprinted up—worth considering if you’re filming your own example.
He also tackles enjoyable minutae as well. “It’s got the quietest electric windows I’ve ever encountered!” he says. “I think that’s probably better than an S Class.” He also has some criticisms, including the wide pillars, which harm visibility, and the annoyance of having to change things like the A/C temperature with the touchscreen.
“I suppose technically the most radical thing about the Cybertruck is that it is entirely steer-by-wire,” he notes. “If you sit and think about that a bit, it’s quite alarming.” However, he notes the benefits, including being able to make relatively small inputs to steer the vehicle with the yoke.
Would James own one, though? Not quite. “I’ll be honest with you… I don’t want a Cybertruck,” he says. “It’s too big, [and] I have a slight aversion to pickup trucks. if I’m honest.” But he appreciates it for what it is. “It’s all straight lines, flat surfaces, vertices, but it makes everything look square,” he says. “It is a little bit childish, and a bit incel… but for the most part, it’s like a Tesla.” Fundamentally, though, he sees it as a bold piece of design, and he appreciates it on that basis.
As for the ultimate verdict? “I think the Cybertruck is actually very ballsy, and quite humorous,” he says. “But I am quite glad it exists.” More than that though, it has him contemplating future models. “If I could make a little appeal to Elon Musk, could you make something about the size of the Model Y, or maybe even a little bit smaller… but styled like this?” he asks. “I’d go for that!”
Image credits: James May’s Planet Gin via YouTube Screenshot
Of course May has a straightedge handy to measure the convexity of the panels.
Gin soaked Aquaman is entitled to his opinion.
Damn you all. I’m going to be thinking “IncEl Camino” with overly emphatic emphasis on the second to last syllable every damn time I see a CT now.
I humbly disagree with this positive review. Tesa Cybertruck is struggling to impress due to impractical size, sharp design, and over-reliance on technology. While the large size makes parking difficult, edgy design makes it difficult to drive in everyday use, while touchscreen controls and steer-by-wire like features making it frustrating to traditional truck buyers. So ultimately, these drawbacks have outweigh its boldness and Tesla needs to bring the next design while prioritizing practicality.
James May is one of my favorite presenters. I’ll watch him do anything… cook, rebuild a guitar, travel, hell even drive. James May is also the man who once wore a patchwork chambray blazer over a black t-shirt with lemons on it and claims Gant tried to pay him to stop wearing his signature stripey purple rugby shirt.
My point, I guess, is that May’s taste isn’t exactly infallible.
I have to disagree with James May’s review of the Tesla Cybertruck. I live in Santa Clarita, and from what I’ve seen, most people around here are hesitant to jump on board with this new breed of electric trucks, and for good reason. While James May might appreciate the Cybertruck’s bold design and futuristic appeal, a lot of us are more concerned about practicality and real-world performance.
First off, the size is a major issue. Santa Clarita is a place where space and practicality matter—whether it’s parking at the local grocery store or navigating through residential areas, a truck the size of the Cybertruck just doesn’t make sense for most people. May even admits it’s too big, and that’s something I hear a lot from people around here. Bigger isn’t always better, especially when you’re driving a truck that’s harder to park, with wide pillars that reduce visibility.
Then there’s the design itself. Sure, it looks cool to some, but sharp edges and flat panels aren’t exactly what people look for when buying a truck. Trucks need to be tough and practical, not flashy and prone to dings or scratches every time you brush past something. Santa Clarita has a lot of families, and when you’re loading up the back or hauling things around, you want something reliable and easy to handle, not a truck that feels more like a concept car than a real, working vehicle.
Let’s also talk about the tech. I get that the Cybertruck is packed with advanced features, but having to control basic functions like A/C through a touchscreen? That’s frustrating. Most of the people I know prefer physical controls they can adjust quickly and without distraction. And the whole “steer-by-wire” system sounds cool on paper, but in real life, it can feel disconnected and even a little concerning. Truck buyers here care about the driving experience, and if it doesn’t feel right, it’s not going to fly.
So while May might give it a thumbs up for being radical or bold, the real buyers I’ve talked to in Santa Clarita are much more cautious. The Cybertruck is polarizing, sure, but for a lot of us, its drawbacks outweigh the benefits. If Tesla wants to win over more traditional truck buyers, they need to rethink some of these features and make it more practical for everyday use. Just being different isn’t enough to make people open their wallets.
It’s a gin commercial.
Haven’t watched the video (on the fence about watching it) but wondering if James May checked the CT’s door pockets, if it has any, for the capability to hold a bottle of gin, à la Alec Issigonis’s specification that the door pockets in the Mini be able to hold a bottle of gin:
https://journal.classiccars.com/2020/07/06/so-you-think-you-know-the-mini/
(As pointed out in another Autopian article: https://www.theautopian.com/cold-start-dad-will-never-notice/)
So it’s poorly built, poorly designed, he wouldn’t buy one, but he really likes that the power windows are quiet. That’s not exactly an overwhelmingly favorable review.
The Delorean comparison is apt. They’re both unique-looking vehicles in no small part due to the stainless steel, but they’re both lousy at fulfilling their stated purpose.
The Delorean wasn’t the worst at fulfilling its stated purpose. Really a pretty good sports car apart from the low horsepower.
The Cybertruck…….. I don’t even know what the purpose is.
Thank You, Captain Slow.
That’s one approach. Another is not to bother:
https://www.imcdb.org/v732365.html
Even though I have no interest in the Cybertruck, May’s video was in instant click when I saw it yesterday. Was a good and amusing review.
The ford stainless steel cars were made by Alleghany steel. They did six 1936 Fords which have alot of compound curves, two 1960 T-birds and then 3 Lincolns. It was just done to show the technology. The stainless steel was more expensive and harder to work with.
But they all still exists exactly as made and are completely recyclable, so there is that. Saw one at the Heinz History Museum in Pittsburgh.
The Cybertruck is, at best, a mediocre pickup. The Cybertruck owner’s manual reveals you can only carry up to 1,310 pounds in the bed, another 441 in the frunk, and 220 in an under-bed storage compartment. The remaining 529 pounds must go in the cab. There are a few other trucks in this hauling class, though most have slightly better bed weight capacity (though no frunk, of course, being ICE trucks) So, for utility, the Cybertruck falls into the weekend truck range. Nothing wrong with this, except that the Cybertruck is so much larger and heavier than the vehicles it’s most competitive with – from the utility standpoint – and therefore unlikely to be chosen for this purpose. I don’t know how it matches up with other full-size EV pickups, but I suspect it lags behind some.
If utility is the goal, this is not even close to a top choice. So there’s another reason people buy these and it comes down to wanting to be seen. Lots of other cars like that on the road, too, so not a bad thing. May’s review basically confirms this.
Whether you think it’s odd, neat, brilliant, or a disaster, the Cybertruck is nothing more than a halo vehicle, a bauble for the wealthy or the pound foolish. I’m bored by the whole thing.
There is a restaurant owner nearby that has one and keeps it parked out front. It draws attention to the place, he uses it to grab restaurant stuff that didn’t get delivered/stuff from Restaurant Supply Co. etc. He charges it at work because he’s already got a big bill, and can just wrap the CT cost into the business. Also, the kiddos (at least in this area) love it and probably nag the shit out of their parents to go eat there.
I guess he could have gotten a Lightning or Hyundai, but what kinda fun is that? It works just fine for his use case, so cool for him.
Some people just can’t get over that not every truck needs to climb Moab, nor that ANY truck purchase means one is actively supporting Hitler or some shit, lol. Some trucks just need to be truck-enough and unique. Whoopdiedoo.
Actually I think he did okay when he called it a car, because I see them fairly often around town now, and while large, they are never used as trucks here. Therefor they are a car.
An Autopian called this a “Wank Panzer” the other day.
He was right.
Yeah, and it was funny how May said the CT was “a bit incel” because of how some people have taken to referring to the CT as the Incel Camino or the Incel Dorado. The former isn’t as accurate in that the El Camino can legitimately be used as a pickup truck with few issues unlike the troubled CT whereas the latter is more accurate in that the CT is basically just an ostentatious luxobarge like the El Dorado.
“Incel-Camino” is perfect! Damn, sometimes people are wonderful.
It is a perfect descriptor because (and heavy duty stereotyping here) you know that a guy with an El Camino has a bunch of kids where he’s late with child support, and maybe has a few kids he doesn’t know about. He also finds old shit at garage sales, or by the curb on trash day, and maybe even in an open and unguarded garage, and loads that stuff into the bed of the vehicle…
uh … by definition you ain’t going to be ending up with a bunch of kids if you are incel … right?!
TC, That’s why the El Camino is the opposite of the IncEl-Camino!
You might want to keep thoughts like that to yourself in the future. Yikes, dude.
JG, there was an article, IIRC, in the Autopian, about perfect “car casting” in movies and TV. If you haven’t seen “My Name is Earl”, or the episode of “King of the Hill” called “The Redneck on Rainey Street”, you’re missing out on the essence of the El Camino…
Incels have been begging for Hummers for years.
I liked how he started going into the design a bit, in terms of convex surfaces. That’s def 100% a trick we use in the design world. Give everything a little belly.
I like the Cybertruck. Initially, I did not. It was just too far from what I expected so my brain pushed back against it. Lots of people get hung up on the design being so different. What most people fail to realize is the design of the CT is dictated by the material choice. Going with a thicker gauge metal that is far harder to bend, means that the design must be mostly flat surfaces and simple angles.
To put it in context; Ford built 2 stainless steel Thunderbirds in the 60s. See, they were done with the production of that body style, and IIRC they wanted to see how many they could make using the existing tooling/dies designed for steel. They made TWO before the tooling was so wrecked that it couldn’t produce a part within spec. Making anything with stainless is a significant challenge!
But as someone that lives in the salt belt, I am never going to throw shade at a vehicle made out of material other than easily rustable steel. It’s crazy to me how people will spend obscene amounts on a truck and it can’t even make it through 10-15 years of winter here without significant corrosion.
“Oh but that’s not true it’s all how you take care of it”
Yeah, except when the salt is at it’s worst, it’s typically so cold that most automatic car washes are closed… and that underbelly spray? That can shove salty water upwards into places it might not ever reach, so who knows if it’s actually even helping or hurting.
I realize the CT isn’t 100% stainless steel, but it’s a huge step up from what Dodge/Chevy are doing. Ford is on the Aluminum bandwagon, which is why if I was getting a new truck it’d be the only one I’d even consider.
Nah. I watched this intensely, like I watch anything from the Golden Trio. He did what DT did, spent the first 80% of his time pointing out all the flaws, then came to a positive conclusion because why? I assume in both cases there was an ulterior motive, which DT can argue until his veins pop out, but that’s only indicative of just how contradictory the ultimate conclusion was.
There doesn’t have to be an ulterior motive. Things as out there as the CT have the ability to win over hearts in spite of flaws, and that’s not just true of cars.
That’s exactly how they did 99% of the reviews on TG. If the review was ending with positive conclusion they pointed out flaws in the first half then praised in the end. If the review had negative conclusion they were praising it in the beginning. Most prominent one for me was BMW M5 E60 review.
We all like things we shouldn’t, and that changes over time. For example I once willingly owned a Renault Alliance.
To each their own. I still think CyberTanks are hilarious.
Mr. May talks about this from time to time, but people seem think he prefers old technology when that is simply not true.
He has described it as (paraphrasing) liking the current era more, because right now we have access to all sorts of brilliant new things *and* to the interesting things from the past if we so choose.
He makes a good point.
Man those sun visors look completely useless being like 6 inches from your face in this thing.
James May always seemed to come off as the Larry Fine of the Top Gear / Grand Tour trio.
Yes, this. ↑↑↑
While I admit to finding them polarizing and fresh, I also refuse to put a single ¢ or pfennig in Musk’s fascist pockets.
Yep, so how can you make this (extremely accurate) observation then at the end say ‘oh, I think it’s cool’?
I plainly didn’t write that they’re “cool”. If the Chubbatruck existed in a vacuum from unknown origins, I’d find them “polarizing and fresh”. But the reality is Musk is an anti-semitic bigoted fascist man-child, so therefore he & his companies are dead to me.
Are we clear now?
Yep. Kudos for doing something different, I guess, but it’s poorly executed and enriches THAT guy. Buying one means that you either approve of Musk’s hard-right swing or you’re at the very least willing to ignore the unwashed elephant butthole in the room to get an over-promised, under-delivered, shoddily constructed hot mess of a vehicle. It all gets the hardest of nopes from me.
I can appreciate a vehicular weirdo, but not this one. Far, far too much baggage.
Elephant butthole indeed. I’ve a vaguely liberal friend in Austin who’s using mental calisthenics to justify buying one as if somehow it wouldn’t enrich Musk.
There’s nothing defensible or green about buying a Chubbatruck. If you have a desire “only” a CT can fill, it’s a desire based (at best) on ego and conspicuous consumption.
Ugh, that’s disappointing. I know, I know, “there’s no ethical consumption under capitalism,” but you can at least do the bare minimum of avoiding one of the worst influences on humanity at the moment.
The “hey, guys, let’s go to Unbarlievable!” of vehicular purchase decisions. </extremely local reference>
James mostly likes the CT because it’s a high-profile medium to use to plug his gin, but now that TGT is done he’s gotta get that bag somehow
as accurate as anything, I guess
100% – and a “positive” CT review gonna get lots more eyes than another negative one!
Car enthusiasts: We want different!
Also car enthusiasts: No, not like that
On repeat
Different doesn’t equal completely awful. Which the Cybertruck is. Apologies to Mr. May.
It’s a toy. It’s not a completely awful toy. Many cars that people revere are objectively awful in many ways. Just because a man-child spouted off a bunch of hyperbolic nonsense about it doesn’t negate actual qualities about the product. If two people show up at the same gravel road trailhead, and one is in a new Defender and one is in a CT, I don’t understand how “completely awful” describes the CT in that situation
good toys don’t have jagged edges
By this logic, the only good toy is a Honda XR. Almost every man toy is some version of a basket case money pit riddled with compromises and questionable product design decisions. I saw a gold wrapped CT the other day, and then saw a purple one shortly after. They’re ridiculous. Let people have fun. For every broken down Wrangler or Land Rover with a blank dash, someone is allowed to think that the CT is kind of neat
I have a Honda XR100. Great bike.
I don’t like the Cybertruck, but this take is 100% on the money.
I hate to be that guy, but I’m pretty sure Mr. May is actually correct here.
https://www.merriam-webster.com/grammar/concave-vs-convex
Easy mnemonic is that concave goes inward—just like a cave
Look, Lewin is in Australia. The backwards flushing toilets have had an effect on him.
Wonder what effect a bidet might have? ????
“I didn’t know which dunny to use so I pissed in the one with the taps. That’s right isn’t it?”
They’re both, it just depends which side you’re looking at them from 😛
“That’s not a knife. That’s a knife”
That’s a spoon!
I see you’ve played knifey-spooney before.
Knoife
Naur
Valid! It’s very hard to type Aussie. I wasn’t even sure if I should randomly throw a “u” in there somewhere.
I can’t believe Lewin tried to out-pedantic Captain Pedantic.
Are we even online if we don’t engage in a pedantry-off?