If you’re cross-shopping Tesla’s three-row SUV against its pickup truck, the decision usually comes down to three things: price, how far each one actually goes, and what you plan to haul. Here’s how the Model X and Cybertruck compare on the numbers that matter.
Price and range
As of August 2026, the Model X starts at $114,990, while the Cybertruck starts at $69,990 — a gap of about $45,000. On paper, the Cybertruck also has the longer EPA-rated range, 329 to 352 miles depending on trim, compared with the roughly 330 miles rated for the Model X trim used in independent testing. So unloaded, the two are close, with a slight edge to the Cybertruck.
Towing is where it gets interesting
The spec sheet favors the Cybertruck for towing: it’s rated to pull up to 7,500 pounds, versus 5,000 pounds for the Model X. But a real-world range test tells a different story. When InsideEVs tested both vehicles towing the same 3,250-pound Bowlus Volterra travel trailer over a mix of highway and rural roads, the Model X went 235 miles before running low, using about 71% of its rated range. The Cybertruck managed only 160 miles, using about 47% of its rated range — despite starting with more range and a higher tow rating on paper.
In other words, the truck with the bigger towing number actually lost more than half its usable range once a trailer was hooked up, while the SUV held onto most of its range. If you plan to tow anything a real distance — a camper, a boat, a trailer full of gear — that gap in charging stops adds up fast, and it matters more than the number on the spec sheet.
Seating and cargo
The Model X seats up to six people across three rows, with roughly 92 cubic feet of enclosed cargo space when the rear seats are folded — useful for gear you don’t want exposed to weather. The Cybertruck seats five and offers about 56 cubic feet combined between its front trunk and covered bed, plus an open bed for hauling dirty or oversized items an SUV can’t easily carry.
Who each one is actually for
The Model X makes more sense if you’re a family or SUV buyer who needs to carry six people and enclosed cargo regularly, and who only tows occasionally. The Cybertruck makes more sense if you’re a truck or utility buyer who values an open bed, a lower purchase price, and higher payload over long-distance towing range. Both can tow a trailer. Only one of them does it without needing to stop and charge nearly twice as often.
Photo by Stephen Leonardi.