Image: Tesla
The dream of a sub-$60,000 Tesla Cybertruck has evaporated. Just 10 days after launching a new Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive (AWD) trim at a headline-grabbing $59,990 USD, Tesla has officially increased the price to $69,990.
The move follows a “buy it now” ultimatum from CEO Elon Musk, who warned on social media last month that the $59,990 price point would only be available for a limited 10-day window. With that deadline passing on February 28, the $10,000 price hike took effect immediately on March 1.
Demand surges as delivery dates slip
The brief pricing window appears to have triggered a massive wave of orders. When the trim first debuted on February 19, estimated delivery dates were set for June 2026. Within days, those timelines slipped to the fall, and as of today, the Tesla configurator warns new buyers that they may not see their trucks until April 2027.
Industry analysts suggest the 17% price hike was a calculated move to capitalize on the urgency created by the limited-time offer. “By announcing the price would go up in 10 days, Tesla created a self-fulfilling prophecy of high demand,” noted one market analyst.
What you get for $69,990
Despite the $10,000 increase, the current base AWD model remains a more capable vehicle than the Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) variant that Tesla discontinued last year at the same $70,000 price point (before freight and PDI). The current entry-level spec includes:
To reach this lower price point compared to the $79,990 Premium AWD model, Tesla has swapped the adaptive air suspension for coil springs with adaptive damping and removed luxury features like the rear entertainment screen and ventilated seats. If you buy a Cybertruck through a referral link, you can still get a bonus of $1000 off the more expensive Premium version, and get 3 months of free FSD with a Model 3 or Model Y, and also $1,000 off a Model S and X while they are still available.