Skip to content 
In the evolving world of pickup trucks, suspension, ride, and handling have undergone dramatic change. Once synonymous with bone-jarring rides and stiff handling, today’s trucks compete with luxury cars for comfort while retaining — and often surpassing — traditional workhorse capabilities. Drawing on insights from Munro’s teardown comparisons, the Cybertruck enters this landscape with a bold promise: combining advanced suspension geometry, air ride technology, and active damping to deliver both performance and refinement.
This article takes a deep dive into how Tesla’s upcoming electric truck stacks up against industry benchmarks like the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado, and Ram 1500 — and what its suspension system might mean for the future of truck design.
From Rough Rides to Refined Comfort
Decades ago, the phrase rides like a truck was far from flattering. Solid axles, leaf springs, and minimal damping meant trucks were built for hauling, not comfort. Riding in the bed or even the cab could be punishing, especially over uneven roads or farm fields.
Modern trucks have rewritten that story. The Ram 1500, for example, not only won Truck of the Year but later claimed Luxury Vehicle of the Year thanks to its air suspension and refined handling. These changes reflect a broader industry trend: pickups now deliver car-like comfort without compromising capability.
The Cybertruck aims to push this evolution further, using technologies once reserved for high-end SUVs and military vehicles.
Front Suspension: Double Wishbone Geometry
The Cybertruck will feature a double wishbone front suspension — the same basic architecture used by the F-150 and Ram 1500. This setup uses upper and lower control arms connected to an aluminum knuckle, optimizing wheel control through suspension travel.
While Ford and Chevy often employ stamped steel lower control arms, Tesla appears to be following Ram’s lead with lighter aluminum components. This choice reduces unsprung mass, improving both ride quality and handling precision — a notable advantage for an EV where efficiency is key.
Rear Suspension: The Big Departure
Where most full-size pickups rely on a solid rear axle for towing stability, Tesla is expected to use an independent rear suspension (IRS).
The benefits:
-
Better ride comfort over uneven terrain.
-
Improved handling and grip, particularly when unladen.
-
More packaging flexibility for integrating electric motors.
The challenge: achieving the 14,000-pound towing capacity Tesla has targeted. Conventional IRS designs, like those on the Honda Ridgeline, top out around 3,500–5,000 pounds. Tesla will need a far more robust IRS to meet its goals.
Air Ride: Luxury and Utility in One
One standout feature across all Cybertruck trims — even the entry-level $40,000 model — is air suspension.
Advantages include:
-
Load leveling: Maintains optimal ride height regardless of payload.
-
Kneeling function: Lowers the truck for easier passenger entry or loading items like ATVs.
-
Consistent comfort: Delivers a smooth, controlled ride whether empty or fully loaded.
Air suspension also reduces production complexity when standardized across all trims. Tesla has used this strategy before — parts that start expensive in early production drop in cost over time, as seen in the Model 3 and Model Y.
Active Damping: Precision Ride Control
Active damping systems use electronically controlled valves to adjust shock absorber firmness in real time — often hundreds of times per second. This technology delivers:
-
Softer damping for comfort over small bumps.
-
Firmer damping for control during aggressive driving or heavy loads.
High-end pickups like the GMC Sierra (with MagneRide) and Ford Raptor already offer it, but it’s a costly upgrade. Tesla may reserve active damping for higher Cybertruck trims, combining it with air suspension for maximum ride adaptability.
Towing Without a Solid Axle
Traditional wisdom favors solid axles for stability when towing heavy loads. Without one, Tesla will need to ensure the Cybertruck’s IRS matches or exceeds the stability of its competitors. Solutions may include:
-
Heavy-duty control arm and knuckle designs.
-
Advanced stability control tuned for towing.
-
Optimized suspension geometry to resist trailer sway.
Given Tesla’s engineering track record — and its ability to rethink automotive norms — the Cybertruck’s approach here will be closely watched.
Lessons from Other Segments
Military vehicles often use air suspension to keep platforms level on rough terrain, enabling precise operation of weapons systems. Tesla’s engineers appear to be borrowing this principle for civilian use — ensuring the Cybertruck stays composed under dynamic conditions.
Similarly, Tesla’s parts commonality approach mirrors lean manufacturing principles: fewer unique parts mean shorter assembly lines, less worker fatigue, and more consistent quality.
Industry Context and Competitive Comparison
Cybertruck vs. Key Rivals:
| Feature | Cybertruck | Ram 1500 | Ford F-150 | Chevy Silverado |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Front Suspension | Double wishbone | Double wishbone | Double wishbone | Double wishbone |
| Rear Suspension | IRS | Solid axle | Solid axle | Solid axle |
| Air Suspension | Standard | Optional | No | No |
| Active Damping | Expected (upper trims) | Optional | Optional (Raptor) | No |
| Towing Target | ~14,000 lbs | ~12,750 lbs | ~14,000 lbs | ~13,300 lbs |
Tesla’s biggest departure is the independent rear suspension — a bold move for towing capability in the full-size segment.
The Road Ahead
Tesla’s Cybertruck is set to challenge long-standing pickup design conventions. If its suspension delivers on the promise of luxury-car comfort with heavy-duty capability, it could reset expectations for what a truck can be — much as the Ram 1500 did when it blurred the line between utility and refinement.
For automotive engineers, the Cybertruck’s suspension will be a fascinating case study in balancing ride quality, load capacity, and manufacturing efficiency in an EV platform.
Unlock Tomorrow’s Truck Engineering With Munro
Subscribe to Munro Live or follow Munro & Associates for future teardowns and analysis of the Cybertruck’s suspension and chassis systems as production models hit the road. Understanding these engineering choices now can inform tomorrow’s designs — whether you’re building the next work truck, luxury EV, or something in between.