Would real mechanics buy the $25,000 Slate Truck?

Slate Truck Review Summary

Main Features

• Price: Advertised at about $25,000, though reviewers questioned whether the price will hold when the truck is released.
• Simple, sparse cabin: No central touchscreen or power windows; it has manual window cranks and physical climate controls. Reviewers liked the straightforward heater and fan controls.
• Modular, customizable design: Buyers can start with the base truck and add features later, including a second row and a roof to convert it toward an SUV configuration. The design may also encourage aftermarket parts and owner modifications.
• Size and layout: A small, roughly Maverick-sized pickup—some felt it is a little smaller—with a low bed relative to the high hoods of many modern trucks. It weighs around 4,000 lb, which reviewers described as about half the weight of a Cybertruck.
• Drivetrain and capability: A 63-kWh battery, an estimated 205-mile range, and fast charging said to take roughly 20–30 minutes, depending on the charger. It can tow 2,000 lb. Reviewers were impressed by its load capacity, although they did not know the rating.
• Running gear: It uses a De Dion axle, a design dating back decades. Reviewers considered the design technically sound and noted that solid axles remain common on trucks.
• Exterior: Unpainted polypropylene composite panels, reportedly reinforced with chopped fiberglass. The truck has a 12-volt cabin power port, but no built-in 110-volt outlet was identified.

Pros and Positive Impressions

• The low price and lack of unnecessary equipment appeal to reviewers who want a basic new vehicle.
• Removing the touchscreen and power windows could avoid two common sources of modern-car trouble. Several reviewers described screen failures in Teslas, a Mustang Mach-E, and a Silverado EV; in one case, a black screen interfered with selecting reverse.
• Physical climate controls are simple and familiar. Reviewers also liked having fewer features that might fail and hoped the simpler approach could encourage better-quality materials.
• The plastic panels could resist dents, be replaceable, and provide a canvas for wraps or custom bodywork. Their repairability and customization potential were seen as promising.
• Its modest towing capacity and range suit around-town work, such as gardening or parts runs, better than heavy-duty hauling. Reviewers considered it a plausible city truck, second vehicle, or company “shot truck.”
• Its compact size and simple, squared-off styling appealed to some, with comparisons to older S10s and square-body trucks.
• Reviewers liked the idea of a vehicle owners can modify and repair, and valued the broader right-to-repair principle.

Cons and Unanswered Questions

• The base truck is only a two-seater, limiting its usefulness as a family or only vehicle. Adding seats and a roof may help, but the cost and practicality of those upgrades were not established.
• The 205-mile range was considered low for a new production EV, even if adequate for city use. Several reviewers said it would not suit their long trips or serve as a one-car household vehicle.
• 2,000 lb of towing limits it to light trailers; it is not a heavy-duty truck.
• The absence of a 110-volt outlet was considered a missed opportunity for powering tools. Only a 12-volt port was confirmed.
• The exterior panels’ durability remains uncertain: reviewers raised questions about scratches, UV aging, and replacement cost. The material might be tough, but they did not know how expensive or easy the panels would be to replace.
• Although marketed as modular and repairable, the battery is built into the floor and was described as not easy to remove. Reviewers questioned whether owners could replace cells, fit a replacement or larger battery, or meaningfully upgrade the drivetrain.
• A low advertised price does not guarantee good value. Reviewers questioned whether a stripped-down truck is cheap enough compared with alternatives, and whether Slate will deliver at the promised price.
• As a first production run, it could have early-model reliability problems. Reviewers cautioned against assuming that deleting screens and power windows makes it exceptionally reliable.

Comparisons Raised

• The Ford Maverick was the main price and practicality counterpoint. Reviewers cited a fully featured hybrid, four-door version starting around $28,000, making the Slate’s two-seat configuration less compelling to some.
• The Cybertruck was used as a contrast in price and weight; reviewers noted its price had risen far above its original expectations.
• The plastic body panels reminded reviewers of Saturns, which were known for avoiding dents, though the Slate’s repair costs and long-term finish remain unknown.
• Reviewers compared the concept to older, simpler trucks and to the availability of low-feature versions of vehicles such as the Honda Civic. They hoped other manufacturers might again offer basic, well-built vehicles.

Overall Verdict

The Slate Truck was viewed as an appealing simple, inexpensive city pickup, especially as a second vehicle or work truck for light-duty local use. Its physical controls, modest size, and potential for customization are major draws. But its limited seating, range, and towing capacity—and unresolved questions about the final price, plastic-panel costs, reliability, and battery repairability—make it a poor fit for many buyers seeking an all-purpose or family vehicle.

No numerical review score was given.

Different Speaker Views

• Some reviewers were enthusiastic about the concept and said they would consider buying it; one had preordered two. Others would wait a year or avoid the first production run.
• One reviewer said it did not fit their needs because they have only one vehicle and take long trips. Others saw it as a good second car, a child’s vehicle, or a business or parts truck.
• Reviewers broadly supported simpler vehicles and owner repair, but disagreed on whether Slate’s modularity would work in practice. Several emphasized that the battery’s in-floor installation could undermine the repairability pitch.