My 15-minute Cybercab Austin first ride cost $24—more than a Model Y at $21.83 for the same trip.
Quick Verdict
This Tesla robotaxi review shows the Cybercab is nowhere near ready. Door issues, wrong drop-offs, and Cybercab traffic problems in rush hour made it frustrating and expensive.
The Ride Experience
I hopped in during peak Austin traffic expecting smooth autonomy. Instead the car braked hard for cyclists, got stuck, and eventually dropped me two blocks from Terry Black's BBQ. The whole trip felt like a beta test gone wrong. Watch the full chaos here: https://youtube.com/watch?v=5DV5gVzTFeU
Cybercab Door Issues
Getting in was a mess. The door opened halfway on its own, then refused to close properly. I had to climb across seats because one side stayed stuck. No mirrors either—just cameras I couldn't even view on the screen. These Cybercab door issues alone would kill rider trust.
Cybercab Price vs Model Y
The biggest shock came at checkout. $24 for 15 minutes beats the price of a Model Y with four people. I expected robotaxi savings, not a premium over existing Teslas. That math doesn't work for daily use.
Cybercab Traffic Problems
Rush hour exposed everything. The car froze in congestion, ignored my destination pin, and left me stranded. I ended up walking the last stretch. These Cybercab traffic problems prove current FSD isn't ready for real city streets. More sightings from the event here: https://denniscw.com/blog/cybercab-austin-robotaxi-hunt-sightings
Comfort and Interior
Once seated the space felt huge—like a rolling mattress. The giant screen is fun for YouTube, but no external camera views means you're blind to surroundings. Still, reclining fully back was surprisingly comfortable for longer trips.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Spacious interior | $24 price beats Model Y |
| Smooth reclining seat | Multiple door failures |
| No driver distraction | Wrong drop-offs in traffic |
| Camera-based design | Can't view external cameras |
Final Verdict
The Cybercab Austin first ride was an eye-opener. Until door issues, pricing, and traffic handling improve, this isn't replacing Uber. Check live coverage from the X Takeover event: https://denniscw.com/blog/x-takeover-austin-cybercab-live-coverage
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