The Slate is a Coupe Utility Vehicle (CUV)

[Dorbiman]

I think it’s all perspective. To me, this thing is a pretty kei truck.

 

[SichuanHot]

CUV could also mean compact utility vehicle.

 

[AZFox]

The designation has been around for at least 90 years.

 

[GaRailroader]

The designation has been around for at least 90 years.

Surely this was never referred to as a coupe utility vehicle 90 years ago.

 

[GaRailroader]

Surely this was never referred to as a coupe utility vehicle 90 years ago.

Well. I stand corrected. Apparently coupe utility vehicle is the designation given to El Camino type car pick-ups. You learn something new everyday.

 

[AZFox]

Surely this was never referred to as a coupe utility vehicle 90 years ago.

91, actually. That's a 1934 model.

 

[SichuanHot]

So, a Honda Ridgeline is a Sedan Utility Vehicle?

I thought those are called trucklets since they're based off unibody chassis like the Maverick and Santa Fe.

 

[AZFox]

So, a Honda Ridgeline is a Sedan Utility Vehicle?

Does it matter? Not to me.

Semantics aren't the point. Realistic expectations are.

There's Compact Car in the Slate's DNA. Expect accordingly.

 

[AZFox]

The Slate (in pickup body style) and Ridgeline are two utes.

 

[metroshot]

I'm curious to see how this will play out for registration. Here in CA, any truck is given commercial plates. My 1979 Dodge W150 isn't used for any commercial work, but still has commercial plates. Same with anything like an old Mitsubishi Mighty Max, or a Maverick. I'm interested in seeing how things will work for those that go from truck to SUV.

Correct!
Even though the Slate is probably a CUV instead of the traditional chassis on frame design, it might be a Commercial class in California.

Should be interesting how Slate determines the classification according to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA):

"Federal Auto Designation Classes: Pickups, SUVs, and Multi-Purpose Vehicles
In the United States, pickup trucks and SUVs are primarily classified based on their Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). This system, which ranges from Class 1 to Class 9, is crucial for purposes like safety regulations, commercial use designation, and licensing requirements."

 

[Daemoch]

These "what is it classified as?" discussions arent new. Just look into the bike/motorcycle/variant rules and how each state defines and applies them. Or 3 wheel....anythings!

Different states will classify them differently. It will cause some problems. Because any variation on a generic ICE vehicle always causes bureaucratic headaches.

 

[RedJoker]

I get what you're saying and I think most people understand this isn't going to be an F350 in capabilities. Most of the comments I see are not that it should be able to tow a fifth-wheel cattle trailer, just that it should have comparable capabilities as other unibody CUV's. I think it's reasonable for someone to be disappointed that something that looks like a truck has the same towing capability as a Civic.

 

[Dorbiman]

I'd love for it to tow more. Not a deal breaker for me, as I've only towed a few times in recent years, but I wouldn't be upset at all if it had 2x the tow capacity

 

[Driven5]

The modern definition of CUV is Crossover Utility Vehicle, meaning a crossover between a car and SUV. Calling the Slate a Coupe Utility Vehicle may be technically correct, but is going to be nothing but a point of confusion, as it's not part of the common vernacular.

To say it should hav capabilities comparable to other comparable vehicles is fundamentally flawed logic, since there are no other directly comparable vehicles to compare its capabilities against. Personally, I'd argue that Slate is much more comparably thought of as a Bolt Ute than an EV Maverick. From that perspective, Slate actually enjoys a 1000 lb towing capacity advantage.

 

[AZFox]

The point of this tread was intended to be less about semantics and more about Realistic Expectations.

The first sentence of the OP sums it up:

It seems like a lot of people are expecting the Slate to be more truck-like than it will actually be.​

The Truck is heavier-duty than other economy cars, however It's lighter-duty than any other modern pickup.