The Slate Truck debuted last week to great fanfare, heralding a return to simplicity, smallness, and affordability in the pickup truck world. The first model from the Bezos-backed EV startup Slate is simply named “Truck” and will come from the factory in one configuration, a single-cab, RWD, single-motor electric pickup, with more than 100 customization options, including kits to convert it into an SUV. Refundable $50 reservations are available now.
When the Slate Truck hits the market, it will be America’s smallest pickup truck. The only truly compact pickup trucks in the U.S. market today are the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz, and the Slate Truck is considerably smaller than those. As for other legacy truck makers like GM, Toyota, and Nissan, their smallest pickup truck offerings are midsize trucks that are gigantic compared to the Slate.
Let’s compare the dimensions and capabilities of the Slate Truck with modern-day small trucks and some truly compact trucks from yesteryear. We’re comparing it to the 1979 specs of the Chevy LUV (a badge-engineered Isuzu Faster), the 1982 specs of the Chevy S-10, the current-generation Chevy Montana marketed in Mexico and South America, and the Ford Maverick, America’s smallest pickup in 2025.
| Slate Truck | Chevy LUV Short Bed | Chevy S-10 Short Bed | Chevy Montana | Ford Maverick | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase (in. / mm) | 108.9 / 2,766 | 102.4 / 2,600 | 108.3 / 2,750 | 110.2 / 2,800 | 121.1 / 3,076 |
| Length (in. / mm) | 174.6 / 4,435 | 174.0 / 4,420 | 178.2 / 4,526 | 185.7 / 4,717 | 199.8 / 5,075 |
| Width (in. / mm) | 70.6 / 1,793 | 62.8 / 1,595 | 64.7 / 1,643 | 70.8 / 1,798 | 72.6 / 1,844 |
| Height (in. / mm) | 69.3 / 1,760 | 60.4 / 1,534 | 61.2 / 1,554 | 65.3 / 1,659 | 68.8 / 1,748 |
| Base Curb Weight (lbs. / kg) | 3,602 / 1,634 | 2,425 / 1,100 | 2,509 / 1,138 | 2,900 / 1,315 | 3,563 / 1,616 |
| Max Payload (lbs. / kg) | 1,433 / 650 | 1,125 / 510 | 1,500 / 680 | 1,323 / 600 | 1,500 / 680 |
| Max Towing (lbs. / kg) | 1,000 / 454 | 0 / 0 | 4,000 / 1,814 | 0 / 0 | 4,000 / 1,814 |
Slate Truck
Chevy Montana
In terms of overall length, the Slate Truck is closest to the old Chevy LUV. However, the proportions are quite different. Compared to the LUV, the Slate has a longer wheelbase and greater width and is quite a bit taller. In fact, its wheelbase is almost identical to that of the 1982 S-10 with a short bed.
The Chevy Montana, which we don’t have here in the States, is smaller than the Ford Maverick but still bigger than the Slate. The width and wheelbase are similar, but the Montana is almost a foot longer. Finally, the Ford Maverick is the largest truck in this comparison and a whopping 25.2 inches longer than the Slate.
Slate Truck
Ford Maverick
That said, the Slate Truck is the heaviest model in this comparison, simply by virtue of being an EV. Even still, a curb weight of less than two tons makes it a veritable featherweight when compared to the full-size electric trucks on the U.S. market today. As for capability, its payload rating is pretty typical for a small truck, but its 1,000-pound tow rating lags behind the others in this exercise.
So, the Slate Truck is truly small, no matter what you compare it to. It will be very interesting to see if any mainstream automakers piggyback on the hype around this truck from Americans craving a pickup that’s truly small and an EV that’s truly cheap (Slate says it will be under $20k after federal incentives). We know America loves big and expensive trucks, but is there room in the marketplace for the exact opposite?
Comments
While I’d never buy one, at least it IS sized right. Ford got greedy and oversized the Maverick, so its size is a breath of fresh air.
Bring back an S10 sized truck, please.
Right ! %100 👍
I would be very interested if it had an ICE drive train. Sell me a body and I will build my own.
The Colorado and Canyon have grown too big, fancy, and expensive.
what for a slot car but better than cybertruck, where are the elegant sedans ?
Exactly 💯💯💯
It looks like a clown 🤡 truck.
Put my $50 on one. AC is all i need with the ability to run back and forth to anything within 20 miles.. if it comes in anywhere close to the quoted price. Well see.
For the handy man/weekend warrior needing a truck to go back and forth to Lowes, Home Depot, or Menards, for home improvement stuff and/or gardening or landscaping stuff, it might be a great fit. For $20,000 you can’t hardly go wrong.
It’s small enough that for the listed price I’d consider buying a Polaris ranger first.
Just another failed attempt.
The big assumption is the Tax credit that Trump has vowed to eliminate. Without it, and for those that do not qualify, it only has size going for it. No creature comforts and limited range make it a non-starter for me at 27k.
150 mile range and manual windows… yikes.
There were so many small trucks in the 70s-early 2000s and then they all ballooned up. If I could buy a Sonoma extended cab with the ZQ8 suspension like I had 20 years ago I’d grab it. Rode and handled great. Everything I needed. What’s so hard about making a truck like that again?
Hey, at least it is RWD!!!
(Something Honda could never figure out how to do! 🙂 )
Manual windows for an economy vehicle is smart… who wants to deal with failed switches, sensors, and motors in the doors? The power window “indexing” that my Chevy SSR does every time I open/close the doors worries me every time I drive it!
The “Slate” size truck sounds like a great idea, ICE or EV.
The prototype was inspired by a kid playing with lego blocks ! This is second to the design of the cyber truck !
It was designed by people with decades of experience in the industry, but you ahead and tell us how it is. You’re probably a genius.
Kind of reminds me of the Yugo concept. I think a cheap no-frills vehicle is a good idea, but what is the final price going to be when you load it up with things most cars come standard with these days- air, power windows, basic infotainment system, larger battery (if available). Nearly two ton curb weight is also high for a vehicle this size.
I like the idea of a plain, simple truck for hauling around a piece of furniture, boxes, garden waste, etc. I hope the Slate does well.