The story of the Tesla Cybertruck’s front trunk, or “frunk,” is one of innovation, high expectations, some controversy, and iterative improvement, reflecting Tesla’s approach to redefining the pickup truck.

You can’t sit in the frunk of a normal EV sedan, but I tried sitting in the Cybertruck Frunk which can be useful, though mostly similar to sitting on the bed of a pickup too.

Here’s a detailed look at the Frunk’s journey so far.

Origins and Design Philosophy
The Tesla Cybertruck, unveiled in November 2019, was designed to be a futuristic, all-electric pickup truck with a stainless steel exoskeleton and a polarizing angular aesthetic. Unlike traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) trucks, electric vehicles like the Cybertruck lack a bulky engine under the hood, freeing up space for a front trunk—a feature Tesla had already popularized in models like the Model S, Model 3, Model X, and Model Y. The frunk was intended to provide secure, lockable storage, a hallmark of EV utility, especially for a truck marketed for adventure and work.

From the outset, Tesla emphasized the Cybertruck’s storage capabilities, claiming it would offer 100 cubic feet of total lockable storage, including the frunk, a 6.5-foot cargo bed, under-bed storage, and unique sail pillar compartments. The frunk was envisioned as a practical space for groceries, luggage, or gear, complementing the truck’s rugged utility. However, early prototypes hinted that the frunk might be smaller than competitors like the Ford F-150 Lightning, which boasted a cavernous 14.1-cubic-foot “Mega Power Frunk.” This set the stage for scrutiny.

Early Impressions and Leaked Insights
As the Cybertruck’s development progressed, spy shots and leaked videos provided glimpses of the frunk. A 2023 TikTok video from Tesla’s Texas Gigafactory showed pre-production Cybertrucks with their frunks open, revealing a wide but shallow compartment. Observers noted that the steeply raked A-pillar and long windshield—key to the Cybertruck’s wedge-shaped design—limited the frunk’s depth, making it appear smaller than rivals like the F-150 Lightning, Rivian R1T, or the upcoming Chevrolet Silverado EV. Despite this, the frunk’s low load lip and air suspension (potentially lowering the front for easier access) suggested Tesla prioritized accessibility over sheer volume.

By September 2023, clearer images from the Cybertruck Owners Club forum showed the frunk with its liner installed, featuring a Tesla logo and a plastic-lined, waterproof compartment. While not as spacious as the F-150 Lightning’s, it was still larger than the frunks of ICE trucks and offered practical storage for smaller items. Tesla’s decision to trade frunk space for a longer 6.5-foot bed was seen as a strategic choice, prioritizing traditional truck utility.

The Powered Frunk: A Game-Changer
A significant milestone in the Cybertruck’s frunk story was its powered opening mechanism, a first for Tesla. Unlike the manual frunks of other Tesla models, the Cybertruck’s frunk could be opened via the Tesla app, touchscreen, or a button under the hood, with a hands-free option using a phone key. This feature, detailed in the Cybertruck Owner’s Manual, added convenience but also complexity, requiring sensors to detect obstacles and prevent injury or damage. The frunk could support up to 441 pounds, though Tesla warned against overloading to avoid damage.

However, the powered frunk’s sharp stainless steel edges raised safety concerns. The owner’s manual emphasized checking for obstacles before opening or closing, and the frunk’s design included a rubber strip on the lower edge to mitigate injury risks, as noted by Tesla’s design chief, Franz von Holzhausen.

Safety Controversy?
The frunk gained notoriety in early 2024 when a viral video by YouTuber Jeremy Judkins showed it slicing through vegetables like cucumbers and carrots with ease, raising alarms about its safety. Judkins tested the frunk’s obstacle detection by placing produce—and eventually his finger—in its path, finding that pre-update sensors were insufficient, leaving a dent in his finger. This sparked widespread criticism on social media, with some comparing it unfavorably to the safer pinch sensors on the Rivian R1T’s frunk.

Tesla responded with a software update (2024.14.3) in spring 2024, enhancing the frunk’s sensors to better detect obstructions. A Top Gear video later demonstrated the updated frunk bouncing off a banana without damage, earning praise from Tesla fans like Sawyer Merritt, who noted the addition of a hands-free opening feature. However, Judkins and others pointed out that the frunk’s algorithm increased closing force after repeated attempts, assuming a bag or soft object was obstructing it, which could still pose risks to fingers. This highlighted Tesla’s ongoing challenge to balance functionality with safety.

Real-World Use and Limitations
When Cybertruck deliveries began in late 2023, owners like Joshua Rhines in Montana praised the frunk’s utility for groceries and gear, despite its modest 7.1 cubic feet of capacity—half that of the F-150 Lightning. It was waterproof, secure, and equipped with a 120-volt power outlet, though less robust than the Lightning’s multiple outlets. Car and Driver’s testing confirmed it could hold one carry-on suitcase, while the truck’s interior and bed offered far more storage (121 cubic feet in the bed alone). Owners appreciated the frunk for small, high-value items but acknowledged its size limitations compared to competitors.

The Limp Mode Fiasco
In May 2025, the frunk made headlines again when owner Ernest Harbaugh shared a humiliating experience on the Tesla Cybertruck Owners group on Facebook. His frunk’s latch failed at a baseball game, trapping his son’s gear inside and triggering the truck’s “limp mode,” limiting speed to 15 mph. The truck had to be towed, drawing laughter from 28 children. Social media amplified the story, with suggestions like using a 9-volt battery to open the frunk proving ineffective due to a mechanical latch issue, not a power failure. This incident underscored reliability concerns and the frunk’s critical role in the truck’s low-voltage system, as jump-start leads are located beneath it.

Legacy and Ongoing EvolutionThe Cybertruck’s frunk, while innovative as Tesla’s first powered front trunk, has been a mixed bag. Its 7.1-cubic-foot capacity, powered operation, and secure design are practical for EV truck buyers, but its smaller size compared to rivals and early safety concerns have drawn criticism. Tesla’s rapid software updates show responsiveness, but incidents like the limp mode failure highlight the risks of complex systems in a vehicle hyped as “indestructible.” The frunk’s story reflects the Cybertruck’s broader narrative: groundbreaking but not without flaws, with Tesla iterating to address issues as they arise.

As of July 2025, the frunk remains a key feature, appreciated by owners for its utility but overshadowed by the Cybertruck’s larger bed on the back.