Tesla's Desperate $60K Cybertruck Dash: Is This the Fire Sale Before the Funeral?

Key Takeaways

Tesla launched a new AWD Cybertruck at $59,990, the lowest price yet, fully equipped with dual motors, adaptive damping, powered tonneau, and Powershare.
Elon Musk quote-tweeted Tesla engineer Wes Morrill’s announcement with “Only for the next 10 days,” signaling the deal’s short lifespan.
This AWD model is the first sensible Cybertruck config, retaining key features unlike the failed stripped RWD version discontinued in 2025.
Tesla also cut Cyberbeast price by $15k to $99,990, reversing a prior hike amid erratic pricing history starting from $80k launch.
Article calls it “peak Cybertruck chaos,” arguing unstable messaging erodes consumer confidence for a truck missing sales targets.
Top commenter SF90 (liked by 43): Cybertruck sales poor like S/X, predicts program cancellation soon to clear inventory.
Broader concerns: Tesla pivoting from cars to robotaxis/humanoids, treating Cybertruck as “life support” with low quarterly sales.

Tesla’s Cybertruck saga has been a wild ride of broken promises, futuristic hype, and now, what feels like a frantic inventory clearance. Just days ago, on February 19, 2026, Tesla unveiled a new Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive (AWD) Cybertruck starting at $59,990 – the lowest price ever for this stainless-steel beast. ❶ ❷ Elon Musk himself quote-tweeted Tesla engineer Wes Morrill’s announcement with a chilling caveat: “Only for the next 10 days.” ❸ Today, February 22, 2026, we’re smack in the middle of this limited-time lure, with the Tesla website still listing the base AWD at that eye-popping price (before destination fees, pushing it to about $62,235). ❶

But is this a golden opportunity for buyers or a symptom of deeper troubles? As a veteran EV blogger who’s tracked Tesla’s every pivot since the Roadster days, I’ll break it down: the specs, the sales slump, the pricing ping-pong, and whether you should hit “order now” before the clock strikes midnight.

The New $60K AWD: Features That Actually Make Sense

Finally, Tesla delivers a Cybertruck configuration that’s not a half-baked compromise. Unlike the stripped-down Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) model teased in 2025 – which was discontinued amid backlash for lacking essentials like adaptive air suspension – this Dual Motor AWD packs real value. ❸

Here’s what you get for $59,990 (base price):

Key Specs and Standout Features

Performance: Dual motors deliver 0-60 mph in 2.6 seconds, top speed of 130 mph, and a towing capacity of 11,000 lbs. It’s no slouch compared to gas trucks like the Ford F-150 Lightning. ❶
Range and Charging: Estimated 320 miles EPA range, with Supercharging up to 325 kW – adding 135 miles in 15 minutes. Powershare capability lets you power your home or another EV (up to 11.5 kW continuous). ❶
Utility Beast Mode:FeatureDetailsPayloadUp to 2,500 lbsCargo Volume120.7 cu ft (with folding seats)Ground Clearance16″ in Extract ModeOutlets2x 120V cabin, 4x 120V + 1x 240V bed (9.6 kW total)Off-Road ModesSlippery, Overland, Wade ❶
Luxuries Included: Adaptive damping (coil suspension on base), powered tonneau cover, 18.5″ center touchscreen + 9.4″ rear screen, steer-by-wire, and shatter-resistant glass. No more “nerfed” vibes like the failed RWD. ❸

Tesla sweetened the pot with 3.99% APR financing, Section 179 tax deductions for businesses, and 2,000 free Supercharging miles if you trade in a gas guzzler. ❶ Leases start at $699/month for 36 months with $6,395 down. ❹

My Take: This is the “sensible Cybertruck” critics have begged for. At $60k fully loaded (ish), it undercuts rivals like the Rivian R1T ($69,900 AWD) while offering bulletproof (literally) build quality and Tesla’s software edge.

Pricing Rollercoaster: From $80K Hype to $100K Cyberbeast Cuts

Remember 2019? Elon promised a $40k base Cybertruck. Launch pricing? $80k+ for Foundation Series. Fast-forward to 2026: erratic hikes and slashes have eroded trust.

Recent Moves:
1. New AWD: $59,990 (limited time). ❺
2. Cyberbeast (tri-motor): Slashed $15k to $99,990, undoing a prior hike. ❻
3. No RWD: Axed after failing to excite.

This “peak Cybertruck chaos,” as Electrek dubs it, screams demand desperation. ❸

Sales Reality Check: Q1 2026 Off to a Rough Start

Cybertruck hype has crashed harder than a Cybercab prototype. Here’s the grim data:

2025 Full-Year Flop

Sold ~20,200 units vs. 39,000 in 2024 (Cox Automotive) – a 48% drop, worst of any EV. ❼ ❽
Q4 2025: Down 68% YoY to 4,140 units. ❾

Q1 2026 Snapshot

January US Tesla sales: ~40,100 total (down 17% YoY), with Cybertruck comprising 72% but still declining 48% YoY. ❿ ⓫
No full Q1 figures yet (ends March), but trends point to “life support” status amid Tesla’s robotaxi/Optimus pivot. ⓬

Commenters like Electrek’s SF90 (43 likes) predict cancellation to dump inventory, echoing Model S/X woes. ❸

Insight: Elon admitted he considered ditching the angular design for a “normal” truck if sales tanked. With 2025 at 8% of his 250k/year goal, whispers of commercial fleet focus grow. ⓭ ⓮

Future Outlook: Robotaxis Over Pickups?

Tesla’s 2026 vision? Cybercab volume production, Optimus bots, and “amazing abundance” – not trucks. ⓯ Cybertruck feels like a distraction, with no clear expansion plans beyond this flash sale. ⓰

Opinion: Unstable pricing kills confidence. Buyers fear “buy now, regret later” as values plummet (used prices already tanking). ⓱

Buyer Advice: Act Fast or Wait It Out?

Pros of Jumping In Now

Unbeatable Deal: $60k AWD with premium features – lease or finance sweetens it.
Incentives Stack: Tax credits, free miles, low APR.
Resale Potential: Early adopters still flip for profit if demand rebounds.

Cons and Risks

10-Day Cliff: Post-March 1? Price jumps unknown – could hit $70k+. ⓲
Quality Woes: Recalls, panel gaps persist.
Competition: Cheaper F-150 Lightning, Silverado EV looming.

My Recommendation:

Buy if: You need a truck NOW, love the exo-skeleton vibe, and can afford potential depreciation.
Wait if: Banking on RWD revival or sub-$50k – unlikely.
Pro Tip: Configure at tesla.com/cybertruck, use referral for $1k off, trade-in for perks. Monitor X for Elon’s whims.

Salvation or Swan Song?

This $60k AWD is Tesla’s best Cybertruck shot yet, but the 10-day timer reeks of panic amid sales nosedives and autonomy obsessions. Will it save the program? Doubtful – expect more chaos. For buyers, it’s a rare win in Tesla’s circus. Order today, or watch from the sidelines as the Cybertruck era flickers.

What do you think – steal or skip? Drop comments below!