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Slate made waves by promising a cheap, back-to-basics car with nothing you want and everything you need. You'll have to pay for what you want by way of an extensive list of options, Slate said at the time. Now, the day has come.
Slate's online configurator has been live for some time, but following its recent pricing announcement, we now know exactly how much most items will cost, including the three available body styles. No matter how you spec it, the Slate comes as a rear-drive EV with 205 miles of range and a 181-horsepower electric motor.
Slate's SUV Starts AT $29,950
All Slates will arrive as you see it above unless you pay for a color. Regardless, three body styles are available: the Blank Slate (truck) starts at $24,950, followed by the $29,990 Squareback SUV, also available as a fastback for $31,950. Finally, an open-air model will run you another $3,950 for the latter two SUV body styles.
We think the Squareback and the Blank Slate are the best value, which is really the whole point. As for color, options are near-limitless. Full wraps start at $500 and go up to $1,600 for a custom color. There are also default signature colors and collaborations, like the company's partnership with Corolla. We think spluging on a cool color or some decals is worth it, and opted to drop the $1,600 on a cool green-blue hue we made.
Other important options on Slate vehicles come down to wheel and tire selection. To add a bit of capability to the truck, you can opt for a few different wheel and tire combinations, like a lift and all-terrain tires.
These start at $1,000 depending on your selections. Slate hasn't announced pricing for the lift kit yet, but it could be worth ordering if you'll be getting outside quite a lot. Wheel color options abound too.
Though we didn't spring for it, you can also customize the lights, add roof racks, and order some neat decals too. These are tempting, but Slate's trucks already get pricey quick when you get to playing with the options.
Slate Will Let You Load Up On Options Inside, Too
Inside, a litany of options awaits. We also found some items you'd think would be included, but aren't. For instance, you'll have to pay for a key fob. You'll also have to pay for armrest bolsters for rear seat occupants on SUV bodystyles.
The biggest shock, though, is the audio. Slate hasn't priced out how much its "audio-friendly" dash panels are, but they'll effectively act as speaker grilles. Then, you've got to pay for sound. A Bluetooth speaker mount will be available, but if you want real in-car audio, it'll cost up to $400 depending on the number of speakers.
As for storage, you'll need to opt for something like the $50 door cubby organizers or the frunk cargo hooks. A center console is even optional, and will cost you $250.
There's one item we think is a necessity: the Slate Telematics Module. At $275, it'll "act as a cellular bridge between your smartphone and your Slate vehicle, unlocking features like remote access and battery pre-conditioning." All of that is important, and something most of Slate's competitors include for free.
A Decent Slate SUV Will Cost You Close To $35,000
Before taxes and fees, our Slate SUV totaled $34,774.94. However, that's before the lift kit and a few other unpriced options. Frankly, that's quite pricey considering the wealth of affordable gas-powered alternatives.
However, the level of personalization and so-called DIY-friendliness is the sell here. Is it worth it? All that comes down to what the Slate is like from behind the wheel.
