Tesla Cybertruck’s rising price and why the front bench is gone

The Tesla Cybertruck keeps stirring debate not just over its steep price, but also over changes to the cabin layout. The electric pickup, originally pitched with six seats and a three-across front row, reached production with only two full seats up front. For American pickup traditionalists who expect a true front bench, that landed as a letdown.

According to IT House, some Cybertruck owners weren’t willing to accept the decision and have reworked the interior to add a middle perch between the driver and front passenger. That bench-style setup is common on full-size pickups and typically integrates a storage compartment and cupholders.

In the Cybertruck’s case, though, these retrofits don’t meet safety rules: the added spot has no airbag, which puts it out of compliance. It’s worth recalling that early prototypes from 2019 did appear with three seats across the front. In the production model, Tesla moved away from that layout, with the reasons described as a rethink of ergonomics and, likely, cost optimization. The logic is clear, but it leaves practicality on the cutting-room floor.

Even so, the seating issue is overshadowed by a more consequential concern: price. The Cybertruck, initially promised from $39,990, in reality came in at over $100,000. That gulf between promise and delivery triggered widespread preorder cancellations and weighed on sales. Buyers notice when expectations are raised and then reset at the checkout.

Fans trying to bring back the front bench aren’t just chasing nostalgia; they’re reacting to a rollout where big promises met hard compromises. The Cybertruck has shifted from a beacon of tomorrow to a series of trade-offs—and not always the kind customers embrace. When a pickup loses a seat and adds five figures to the bill, people start looking for their own fixes.