I went to see the Tesla Cybertruck in person. It's surprisingly different up close.

Alistair BarrJan 15, 2024, 10:21 IST

Business Insider Global Tech Editor Alistair Barr stands in a Tesla showroom in San Jose, California, on December 9, 2023.Alistair Barr/Business Insider

I'm a car nut. When I was a kid, I read my dad's car magazines religiously.

I love vehicle design and the driving experience. So, when Tesla's Cybertruck came out, I put a $100 reservation down. When early versions began appearing on the streets, I devoured the photos and videos online.

My beloved wife of 20+ years has threatened to divorce me if I actually buy this vehicle. It's divisive, and not just because of Tesla CEO Elon Musk's controversial comments. You either love the Cybertruck's angular look, or you think it's too big and dumb.

The online footage does make the truck look large, especially the back which looks high and bulky in photos.

Tesla put a Cybertruck in its Santana Row showroom in San Jose recently. I drove down to check it out up close, and chatted to customers, employees, and other people who were there.

Here's what I found out, and what I decided about my reservation — and the future of my marriage.

I arrived around midday. The Tesla showroom was relatively busy.

People look at a Cybertruck at Tesla's Santana Row showroom in San Jose on December 9, 2023.Alistair Barr/Business Insider

The truck was cordoned off so you couldn't touch it or get inside.

A Cybertruck at Tesla's Santana Row showroom in San Jose, California.Alistair Barr/Business Insider

"They've made it slightly smaller compared to the prototype and you can see it's more compact."

A Cybertruck at Tesla's Santana Row showroom in San Jose, California, on December 9, 2023.Alistair Barr/Business Insider

"Your wife is smart and correct"

The rear of a Cybertruck is shown at Tesla's Santana Row showroom in San Jose, California, on December 9, 2023.Alistair Barr/Business Insider

My daughter thought it looked too big to park

A Cybertruck parked inside Tesla's Santana Row showroom in San Jose on December 9, 2023.Alistair Barr/Business Insider

I thought the rear did not look too large, and it was slightly lower than I expected.

The rear of a Cybertruck at Tesla's Santana Row showroom in San Jose on December 9, 2023.Alistair Barr/Business Insider

The corners at the back were not too high

The rear corner of a Tesla CybertruckAlistair Barr/Business Insider

The tonneau cover blocks rear visibility

The back of a Tesla Cybertruck at the company's Santana Row showroom in San Jose on December 9, 2023.Alistair Barr/Business Insider

The Cybertruck's panel fit mostly looked good

A Cybertruck at Tesla's Santana Row showroom in San Jose on December 9, 2023.Alistair Barr/Business Insider

Up close, the angular steel panels created incredible design flourishes

The front corner of a Tesla CybertruckAlistair Barr/Business Insider

A steel panel jutted down here and was framed by the Cybertruck's rear light

The rear corner of a CybertruckAlistair Barr/Business Insider

One of the Cybertruck's headlights and its front bumper

The front bumper of a Tesla CybertruckAlistair Barr/Business Insider

The Cybertruck's front indicator and wheel

The front wheel and indicator of a Tesla CybertruckAlistair Barr/Business Insider

A view of the Cybertruck's rear end and tonneau cover

The rear light of a Tesla CybertruckAlistair Barr/Business Insider

The back corner and rear light of the Cybertruck

The back corner of a Tesla CybertruckAlistair Barr/Business Insider

Overall I came away wanting a Cybertruck more than ever. Now I just have to convince my wife.