Kim Kardashian knows how to make people look. It’s basically her job. But even for her, the way she’s integrated the Tesla Cybertruck into her personal brand over the last couple of years has been something of a masterclass in staying relevant while the world is literally arguing about your every move. It started back in February 2024 with a simple Instagram story—a "Cool Carpool Mom" caption over a silver door. Since then? It’s been a saga of custom paint, police run-ins, and a controversial relationship with robots.
Most people see a Cybertruck and see a stainless steel triangle. Kim saw a blank canvas.
Honestly, the way she treats her cars is more like how she treats her SKIMS line—monochrome, intentional, and expensive. While every other influencer was rushing to get a wrap that made their truck look like a giant Duracell battery or a lime green eyesore, Kim went a different route. She didn't want a wrap. She wanted a transformation.
The Ghost Grey Customization: It's Not a Wrap
If you’ve seen the photos of her most recent Cybertruck, you’ll notice it doesn't have that typical "refrigerator" sheen. That’s because she had it completely painted in a custom shade called Ghost Grey.
This wasn’t a DIY job. She went to her long-time collaborators at Platinum Motorsports in Los Angeles. Most people don't realize how insane it is to paint stainless steel. You can’t just spray it and hope for the best; the surface is notoriously difficult for paint to adhere to. It requires a specific primer and a lot of prep work.
The result? A matte, satin-finish silver-grey that matches her Rolls-Royce Ghost, her Lamborghini Urus, and her Mercedes-Maybach S 580. It’s a literal fleet of "Kardashian Grey."
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The Wheels and the Stance
She didn’t stop at the paint. To really make the truck feel like hers, she swapped out the factory wheels for 26-inch Forgiato ECL-Series Cactus Jack wheels. Yes, those are the wheels designed by Travis Scott. They feature a solid disc design that makes the truck look even more like a prop from a sci-fi movie.
There’s also the suspension. Her truck sits lower than the standard factory model. Whether that’s the adaptive air suspension working overtime or an aftermarket modification, it gives the vehicle a grounded, aggressive look that the standard truck lacks.
Getting Pulled Over in the "Ghost"
Being a billionaire doesn't mean you're above a fix-it ticket. In late 2024, Kim made headlines when she was pulled over by the LA County Sheriff’s Department. The reason? Her windows were way too dark.
California has some pretty strict laws regarding window tint. Specifically, you need to allow at least 70% of light through your side windows. Kim’s Cybertruck was essentially a blacked-out fortress. While it looks great for privacy when you’re one of the most famous women on earth, it’s a magnet for police. She ended up with a fix-it ticket, which is basically the law's way of saying, "Cool truck, now fix the glass or pay the fine."
She’s actually been pulled over for this exact thing before—back in 2013 with a different car—so clearly, the aesthetic is worth the occasional chat with a deputy.
How Many Cybertrucks Does She Actually Have?
This is where things get a bit confusing for fans. At last count, it seems Kim has owned or at least used three different Cybertrucks.
- The Original Founders Edition: This was the one she got early in 2024. Standard silver.
- The Matte Black One: Shortly after the first, she was spotted in a black version. Many thought it was just a wrap, but given her history, she might have just ordered a second one to fit a different mood.
- The Painted Ghost Grey One: The current crown jewel of her garage, customized by Platinum Group.
And let’s not forget the "mini" version. For her son Psalm’s fifth birthday, she got him a Tesla Cybertruck for Kids. It was a $1,500 toy that perfectly matched his mom’s full-sized version. Say what you want about the family, but their branding consistency is unmatched.
The Robot Controversy
By early 2025, the Cybertruck talk evolved into something much weirder. Kim started posting photos and videos with Tesla’s Optimus robot.
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There was a photoshoot for Perfect Magazine that went viral for all the wrong reasons. In one shot, she’s lounging by a pool with the robot. In another, she’s in a sensual pose with it. She even joked in the interview, "I think the big joke of me even doing the shoot with the robot is that I feel like I'm so robotic."
The internet didn't find it particularly funny.
Tesla was already under fire due to Elon Musk’s political involvement and various corporate controversies. Seeing Kim "cozy up" to a humanoid robot felt tone-deaf to many. Critics accused her of being a paid shill for Musk, especially since the photos were released right as protests against Tesla were ramping up. She hasn't responded to the backlash, but the engagement numbers were through the roof, which, in the Kardashian world, usually counts as a win.
Is the Cybertruck Still a Status Symbol?
When the Cybertruck first launched, it was the "it" car for celebrities. Everyone from Lady Gaga to Justin Bieber and Shaq was seen driving one. It was the ultimate "look at me" vehicle.
But as 2026 rolls around, the vibe is shifting. The truck has become a polarizing symbol. For some, it represents the future of American manufacturing and bold design. For others, it’s a rolling statement of support for Elon Musk's personal politics.
Kim seems to be leaning into the "futuristic" angle. By painting the truck and stripping away the raw stainless steel look, she’s tried to make it more of a fashion accessory and less of a political statement. Whether that works is up for debate.
Actionable Insights for the "Cybertruck Aesthetic"
If you’re looking to get that Kardashian look for your own vehicle (even if it’s not a Tesla), here’s how the pros do it:
- Paint over Wraps: If you want a truly seamless look where the door jams and edges match perfectly, paint is the only way. It’s significantly more expensive—upwards of $20,000 to $50,000 for high-end matte finishes—but it doesn't peel or bubble like vinyl.
- Monochrome Everything: Kim’s trick is painting the plastic trim, bumpers, and fender flares to match the body. Standard cars use black plastic to save money; painting these parts immediately makes a car look "bespoke."
- Wheel Scaling: To pull off 26-inch wheels, you usually need a vehicle with massive wheel wells like the Cybertruck. If you put wheels that big on a standard SUV, you'll sacrifice ride quality and likely rub your tires every time you turn a corner.
- The "Legal" Tint: If you want the blacked-out look without the fix-it tickets, stick to the legal limit on the front windows and go as dark as you want on the rear. Avoid tinting the windshield entirely if you want to stay off the radar of the highway patrol.
The Kim Kardashian Cybertruck isn't just a car anymore. It’s a case study in how a celebrity can take a mass-produced, highly controversial piece of tech and turn it into a personal lifestyle statement. Love it or hate it, you can't stop talking about it.