The Slate is a Coupe Utility Vehicle (CUV)

[Driven5]

You've got to compare apples to apples.

Apparently not.

Might as well be the "Whose line is it anyway" of towing discussions... Where the capacities are made up and the ratings don't matter.

 

[AZFox]

In multiple threads here I've seen mention of "even a civic can tow 1000 lbs" though I can't find them at the moment

No worries, that's not important.

You've got to compare apples to apples.

OK, let's do that.

Regarding towing capacity,

Slate Truck = apple 🍎​

[some economy car that tows] = apple 🍏​

[some pickup truck] = [some other fruit] 🍊​

Compact economy cars that tow only have on the order of 1,000 pounds of Towing Capacity.

The Slate Truck is an compact and economical vehicle that's sold in the form of a familiar and timeless pickup truck. It has only 1,000 pounds of towing capacity because it's designed for economical transportation with utility, but not Tow Mule utility.

 

[GaRailroader]

Those are compact SUVs, not CUVs

I think they are CUVs(Crossover Utility Vehicles). Where as an SUV is more of a truck based vehicle.

 

[Driven5]

The fact of the matter is that there simply are no current 'compact economy cars that tow', and the compact economy CUV's basically jump from 0 straight to 1,500+ pounds. The only 1,000 pound exceptions seem to be CRV hybrid and Encore/Trailblazer.

So the apples to apples for Slate is really it has either 1,000 lb more or at least 500 lb less towing capacity, depending on individual perspective.

 

[AZFox]

I think they are CUVs(Crossover Utility Vehicles). Where as an SUV is more of a truck based vehicle.

I like that idea. It hasn't caught on with the general public. Maybe it will.

I my collection of word meanings SUV originally meant a truck-based K-5 Blazer, Bronco, Cherokee, and whatnot.

Flash forward to now and the meaning has been watered down.

FWIW, here's an AI summary of SUV attributes:

• High ground clearance and elevated ride height
• Spacious, flexible interior with ample cargo room
• Availability of four-wheel or all-wheel drive for enhanced traction
• Rugged exterior styling and durable construction
• A blend of on-road comfort and off-road capability
• Larger tires and increased vehicle height compared to standard passenger car

A unibody hatchback on a car platform with a slightly elevated stance and slightly longer length compared to what's called a "hatchback" is now called a "Crossover SUV".

I suppose that's just how languages work when Marketing Departments are involved.

I call Crossovers "crossovers". Everybody knows what you're describing when you say "The neighbors traded in their sedan for a crossover".

A Crossover is a Hatchback that's been hitting the gym.

The RAV4 and CR-V are compact Crossover SUVs.

 

[GaRailroader]

I like that idea. It hasn't caught on with the general public. Maybe it will.

I my collection of word meanings SUV originally meant a truck-based K-5 Blazer, Bronco, Cherokee, and whatnot.

Flash forward to now and the meaning has been watered down.

FWIW, here's an AI summary of SUV attributes:

• High ground clearance and elevated ride height
• Spacious, flexible interior with ample cargo room
• Availability of four-wheel or all-wheel drive for enhanced traction
• Rugged exterior styling and durable construction
• A blend of on-road comfort and off-road capability
• Larger tires and increased vehicle height compared to standard passenger car

A unibody hatchback on a car platform with a slightly elevated stance and slightly longer length compared to what's called a "hatchback" is now called a "Crossover SUV".

I suppose that's just how languages work when Marketing Departments are involved.

I call Crossovers "crossovers". Everybody knows what you're describing when you say "The neighbors traded in their sedan for a crossover".

A Crossover is a Hatchback that's been hitting the gym.

The RAV4 and CR-V are compact Crossover SUVs.

AI Overview
+8

CUV stands for Crossover Utility Vehicle, an automotive term for a vehicle that blends features of a car and a traditional Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV). Unlike most traditional SUVs built on a truck-like body-on-frame chassis, CUVs utilize a car-like unibody construction. This results in a vehicle with the higher ride height and practicality of an SUV but with a smoother, more comfortable, and fuel-efficient ride comparable to a passenger car.

 

[ScooterAsheville]

The Slate has as much in common with the R3X as I have with Idris Elba. And my wife tells me that's not much.

 

[AZFox]

AI Overview
+8

CUV stands for Crossover Utility Vehicle, an automotive term for a vehicle that blends features of a car and a traditional Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV). Unlike most traditional SUVs built on a truck-like body-on-frame chassis, CUVs utilize a car-like unibody construction. This results in a vehicle with the higher ride height and practicality of an SUV but with a smoother, more comfortable, and fuel-efficient ride comparable to a passenger car.

I'm aware that Coupe Utility and Crossover Utility Vehicle share a TLA (three-letter acronym). The newer sense doesn't nullify the older.

Like I wrote in the quoted post, the newer meaning hasn't caught on. I hope it does because crossovers aren't what I consider SUVs.

Honda and Toyota don't appear to have caught on.

 

[AZFox]

The purpose of this thread wasn't to quibble about TLAs.

I started the tread because I saw people expecting more from the Truck than its car-like platform can deliver.

If you want to do overlanding or towing the Slate Truck isn't the vehicle for you.