The Slate is a Coupe Utility Vehicle (CUV)

[KevinRS]

The 1,433 lbs starting point is good for a small pickup for sure.

It becomes 1,131 lbs with the Extended Battery option.

Adding 700+ lbs of options could reduce it to below 700 lbs if the Spare Carrier weighs ~60 lbs or more. (Tire and wheel are probably in the 60-65 range.)

• Extended Battery - 302 lbs
• SUV Kit - 310 lbs (per the recent the Motor Trend article)
• Spare tire, wheel ,and Spare Carrier - 100+ lbs (??)

But once you add the full SUV kit, you are no longer using it as a "truck" and so things shift. Probably not going to figure on having 5 large adults in it on long trips, more likely 2 adults and 2 teens at most in most cases. There isn't nearly so much cargo volume left with that kit, and it would more likely be stuff like an ice chest and camping gear, instead of lumber, when you are loaded with passengers.
I see it as: pickup truck, you've got cargo capacity, SUV, you've got passenger space. Can't add the SUV kit without the tradeoff of reduced capacity for cargo.
I'm not even totally sold on the spare tire kit. Waiting to see pricing and other options before I'd decide on that, on this truck I likely will have on paved roads nearly all the time, maybe graded dirt roads occasionally.

 

[Dorbiman]

Lots of these conversations seem like people looking for problems where none exist. If you have the SUV kit, I’d be surprised if you could even fit 1200 pounds of stuff in the back

 

[KevinRS]

Lots of these conversations seem like people looking for problems where none exist. If you have the SUV kit, I’d be surprised if you could even fit 1200 pounds of stuff in the back

I think what they are looking at is with those 3 add ons, around 700 lbs capacity left, including passengers. With current climbing average body weights, that runs low quick. Average male in the US 199, female 171, for 370 for the front seats, leaving around 330 for the back seat and cargo.

I do think most won't be getting the SUV kit, and most of those who do won't get the extended battery, on the spare, it depends on pricing and other options.

 

[AZFox]

But once you add the full SUV kit, you are no longer using it as a "truck"

!f you have the SUV kit, I’d be surprised if you could even fit 1200 pounds of stuff in the back

I didn't intend to suggest that load capacity should be pickup-like with the SUV Kit installed. Obviously it wouldn't.

FWIW, unless the driver weighs under 130 lbs and there's nothing in the frunk or cab except the driver, 1,200 lbs in the bed exceeds the Truck's capacity load capacity.

That drops to about 900 lbs for a Truck with an Extended battery (and no spare). That's way lower than (all?) other new pickups, but still acceptable as long as you realize the limitations before buying the Truck.

 

[AZFox]

Lots of these conversations seem like people looking for problems where none exist.

To the contrary, the reason for my posts (I can only speak for myself) is because I saw a problem existing and wanted it to be avoided.

I saw a lot of people expecting the Truck to be heavier-duty than it actually will be, and capable of doing some "truck things" it won't be suitable for.

Satisfaction is what happens when actual results meet or exceed anticipated results.

Realistic Expectations will be required for the Truck to succeed.

 

[KevinRS]

Compared to small trucks of the 80s-90s, the capabilities are fine. Most current trucks have become oversized heavy duty compared to those, and don't even fit in a standard parking spot. Yesterday I had to walk around one parked in a handicapped spot sticking at least 3 feet out from the spot, plus the trailer hitch, and this parking lot doesn't have undersized spaces.

Anyway, a lot of people are going to be comparing to the gas guzzlers on the market today, and that's why every story about slate has comments about it should have AWD, should have 4 doors, should tow more, should have more range, etc.

Reasonably, the standard battery isn't a road tripping range. Stopping every 2.5 hours multiple times doesn't work well. I'd figure the convenience ends if you are driving around 300 miles and would have to stop twice.
The extended one might be, if you are reasonable about expecting to stop for meals and a charge every 4 hours or less. So a casual road tripper, not for people who like to drive straight through without stopping to sit down and eat.

Similarly, it's capacity works for casual hauling, you aren't going to be able to haul around a 1 ton load of dirt, mulch, bricks, concrete, etc.

Towing, same deal, it can haul the smallest sized trailers and their loads, and probably things like rented equipment from places like home depot, like the stump grinders and similar. The small trailer sold at harbor freight is in the right range, capacity around 1000 lb, bare trailer weight 150 lb, of course decking, rails, or a box would add to that trailer weight. My father got and towed the 80s version of that trailer with his 80s Corolla back in the 80s mainly for camping trips. Basically built a cube of a box on it, and I'm sure it killed the gas mileage.