A well-known tech reviewer known as JerryRigEverything conducted a series of durability tests on the Tesla Cybertruck to gauge its resilience against bullets from various calibers. The results were shared on his YouTube channel, sparking a wide discussion about real-world protection and design choices in the electric pickup.
The test creator is famous for pushing devices to their limits, and he turned his attention to the Cybertruck after Tesla founder Elon Musk introduced the vehicle in November 2019. Musk claimed that the truck’s body is made from a super-hard stainless steel and could withstand impacts from 9mm bullets. The aim of the tests was to verify this claim and to understand how the truck would fare under aggressive, real-world firing conditions.
The first round used a Glock 19 9mm pistol. The shooter fired at the Cybertruck door from roughly 10 meters away. The result showed that the bullets did not penetrate the metal surface; instead, the impact produced noticeable dents but no entry holes. This appearance supported the idea that the outer body panels offer strong resistance to penetration and deformation under typical handgun fire.
Next up were smaller calibers. A .22 caliber round, also 5.6 millimeters, was fired at the same door. The damage from these rounds was even less severe, and there was no penetration. The interior remained protected, and the outer skin showed only minor imperfections from the impact.
However, the scrutiny intensified with higher velocity rounds. A 17 HMR round, traveling at substantial speeds, managed to breach the surface while still failing to pass through completely. The door sustained a hole that indicated significant material resistance, but the round did not exit, leaving clear evidence of a high level of protection against certain intermediate calibers.
The experiment then escalated to two more powerful threats. An AR-15 chambered in .223 Rem and a large caliber rifle firing 50 caliber rounds were employed to test the limits. Both of these rounds created large entrance holes in the door, and in each case, the impacts demonstrated that the Cybertruck’s body panels could not fully stop very high-energy projectiles. The observed results clearly showed a threshold where body material protection begins to fail under heavy armor-piercing or high-velocity antivehicle projectiles, underscoring that the pickup’s durability claims apply primarily to the body structure and not to other components.
Overall conclusions from the test sequence emphasized that Musk’s claim about the Cybertruck’s body withstanding at least 9mm rounds holds water for the metal skin under typical handgun pressures, but it is not a guarantee against all firearm threats. The tests also highlighted a crucial caveat: the windows were not part of the protected exterior and are known to be vulnerable to impacts, including simple projectiles or even heavy balls, which aligns with demonstrations shown during the vehicle’s unveiling. The results reinforce that while the Cybertruck presents a formidable resistance to certain ballistic scenarios, it should not be construed as an all-encompassing armored vehicle. Real-world use would still require prudent handling and awareness of the limits of any car designed for everyday rugged duty.
The broader takeaway is a nuanced one: the durability narrative surrounding the Cybertruck is grounded in solid panel resistance, particularly against common handgun rounds, but it does not imply invulnerability to higher caliber or higher energy ammunition. This distinction is essential for consumers weighing protection, safety, and design when considering a vehicle built for extreme environments. The testing sequence, while dramatic, serves to illuminate the boundaries of the truck’s protective qualities and the importance of distinguishing between body panels and other vulnerable components.
Note: These observations stem from a publicly documented durability series that covered a range of firearm types and ammunition classes. The evaluations provide a practical, real-world perspective on how steel and composite elements respond to ballistic stress in a controlled demo environment. Any assessment of real-world performance should also consider a broad array of factors, including angles, penetration dynamics, and the specific variants of firearms or ammunition involved. The core message remains clear: the Cybertruck’s steel body offers strong resistance to certain threats, but it is not a guarantee of complete protection against all ballistic scenarios.