Who’s Reserving the Slate EV: Everyday Americans, Young Professionals, New Drivers, Contemporary Seniors, Auto Enthusiasts

[E90400K]

My mistake. Shows how little interest I truly have in a Prius. Thought they had a 100% EV option.
So not a competitor with a Prius either.
Leaf it is then. Still not a Maverick.

Count the doors...

Check the range...

Check the price...

The Leaf is nearly the exact same size as the Slate, it's 1.2" shorter, just under 1" wider, and 8" less tall.

If one doesn't really want a pickup truck and really wants a 100% EV car / small SUV, why in hell would they buy a 2-door converted Slate SUV that they will have to spend hours or spend more dollars to build, add an audio system, and wrap (if they want a color other than medium dark gray)? And gets 1/2 of the range.

And if one desires a 100% EV - 100% SUV, the Chevrolet Equinox EV starts at an MSRP of $33,600 and provides an EPA range of 319 miles.

 

[GaRailroader]

And gets 1/2 of the range.

Note the $29,900 version Leaf has 53kWh battery not 75kWh as shown in the ad. Still a better value than the Slate to those that are form factor agnostic.

 

[E90400K]

Note the $29,900 version Leaf has 53kWh battery not 75kWh as shown in the ad. Still a better value than the Slate to those that are form factor agnostic.

According to Nissan's website the 2026 Leaf S+ (the $29,990 model) has a 75kWh battery and 303 EPA range. But you can try arguing otherwise.

 

[Johnologue]

The Leaf is nearly the exact same size as the Slate, it's 1.2" shorter, just under 1" wider, and 8" less tall.

If one doesn't really want a pickup truck and really wants a 100% EV car / small SUV, why in hell would they buy a 2-door converted Slate SUV that they will have to spend hours or spend more dollars to build, add an audio system, and wrap (if they want a color other than medium dark gray)? And gets 1/2 of the range.

You're looking at the Leaf comparison backwards; it's not for people who want a Leaf, they'll obviously buy a Leaf.

Some people might consider the Leaf their only choice for an affordable "small (-ish) car" EV. They are not necessarily happy about this.
Then they see the Slate, and it's a similar size, similarly affordable, and pointedly "not a Nissan Leaf".

Also, having 2 doors/seats and not converting will be fine for people who don't have kids.
In terms of identity/image, a 2-door pickup is more desirable than a bulky family-friendly SUV. Obviously subjective, but I don't think it's an unpopular or controversial assertion.

 

[E90400K]

You're looking at the Leaf comparison backwards; it's not for people who want a Leaf, they'll obviously buy a Leaf.

Some people might consider the Leaf their only choice for an affordable "small (-ish) car" EV. They are not necessarily happy about this.
Then they see the Slate, and it's a similar size, similarly affordable, and pointedly "not a Nissan Leaf".

Also, having 2 doors/seats and not converting will be fine for people who don't have kids.
In terms of identity/image, a 2-door pickup is more desirable than a bulky family-friendly SUV. Obviously subjective, but I don't think it's an unpopular or controversial assertion.

My mistake. Shows how little interest I truly have in a Prius. Thought they had a 100% EV option.
So not a competitor with a Prius either.
Leaf it is then. Still not a Maverick.

I really have no idea what either of you are trying to say.

 

[bloo]

Count the doors...

Check the range...

Check the price...

The Leaf is nearly the exact same size as the Slate, it's 1.2" shorter, just under 1" wider, and 8" less tall.

If one doesn't really want a pickup truck and really wants a 100% EV car / small SUV, why in hell would they buy a 2-door converted Slate SUV that they will have to spend hours or spend more dollars to build, add an audio system, and wrap (if they want a color other than medium dark gray)? And gets 1/2 of the range.

And if one desires a 100% EV - 100% SUV, the Chevrolet Equinox EV starts at an MSRP of $33,600 and provides an EPA range of 319 miles.

What do the number of doors have to do with the price of tea in China ?

 

[AZFox]

If one doesn't really want a pickup truck and really wants a 100% EV car / small SUV, why in hell would they buy a 2-door converted Slate SUV that they will have to spend hours or spend more dollars to build, add an audio system, and wrap (if they want a color other than medium dark gray)? And gets 1/2 of the range.

Because the Leaf is a Transportation Appliance, for starters...

 

[KevinRS]

Not sure why it seems some posts appear to be trying to convince people that they shouldn't get a Slate.
When the Leaf S+ was announced, the smaller battery was supposed to be part of it. I can't seem to find details when I actually select the S+ on their site, and get denied access when I try to view the window sticker on any particular one in inventory, so I have zero confidence what battery it comes with.

 

[Johnologue]

Not sure why it seems some posts appear to be trying to convince people that they shouldn't get a Slate.
When the Leaf S+ was announced, the smaller battery was supposed to be part of it. I can't seem to find details when I actually select the S+ on their site, and get denied access when I try to view the window sticker on any particular one in inventory, so I have zero confidence what battery it comes with.

I believe the "small" battery Leaf is the one that got a "mid-twenties" price tag. I also saw that it's limited production or something to that effect, so it might not actually be an option for long.

 

[E90400K]

Because the Leaf is a Transportation Appliance, for starters...

For starters it's 1 second faster than the Slate. Second, no one has yet driven a Slate so no one can say the Slate is not also just a transportation appliance. I'm thinking based on budgets the Slate is not being taken to the Nurbugring and the suspension is being fine tuned by ex-BMW chassis engineers.

 

[E90400K]

I believe the "small" battery Leaf is the one that got a "mid-twenties" price tag. I also saw that it's limited production or something to that effect, so it might not actually be an option for long.

The $29,990 Leaf S+ is the lowest price Leaf for sale in the US. 75kWh battery and 214 HP.

 

[E90400K]

What do the number of doors have to do with the price of tea in China ?

They don't, but they do reflect what the American market wants in a small SUV.

 

[Johnologue]

Slate Auto has certainly claimed they've given attention to an enjoyable driving experience and they've posted a clip of the truck doing donuts, whereas the Leaf is a FWD lukewarm crossover that has no reason to consider enthusiast appeal. It doesn't matter if it accelerates slightly faster 0-60. It also weighs significantly more.

 

[GaRailroader]

For starters it's 1 second faster than the Slate. Second, no one has yet driven a Slate so no one can say the Slate is not also just a transportation appliance. I'm thinking based on budgets the Slate is not being taken to the Nurbugring and the suspension is being fine tuned by ex-BMW chassis engineers.

Certainly the new Leaf is more attractive than the outgoing model. I owned the previous generation Leaf and I generally referred to it as a transportation appliance. I don’t think speed makes it not a transportation appliance. Heck the Leaf is probably the fastest car I’ve owned that isn’t a Tesla. It is just a boring car that you are invisible in when you drive it.

When you see cars that are wrapped or have custom paint jobs, custom wheels, lowered, etc. Have you ever seen a Leaf in this category? People that drive Leaf’s are not wanting to draw attention to themselves. It is not an auto enthusiast’s car it, just a transportation appliance.

 

[SichuanHot]

Slate Auto has certainly claimed they've given attention to an enjoyable driving experience and they've posted a clip of the truck doing donuts, whereas the Leaf is a FWD lukewarm crossover that has no reason to consider enthusiast appeal. It doesn't matter if it accelerates slightly faster 0-60. It also weighs significantly more.

That's just a function of it being rwd and having that instant torque from the electric motor. If the Leaf were also rwd, it could do donuts too. I'd like to see the Slate being taken around a track and attacking some corners before deciding if it's a fun to drive car or another EV appliance.