{"id":76555,"date":"2024-09-05T09:04:06","date_gmt":"2024-09-05T13:04:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/?p=76555"},"modified":"2024-09-05T09:04:06","modified_gmt":"2024-09-05T13:04:06","slug":"1144267_2024-polaris-slingshot-r-test-drive-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/?p=76555","title":{"rendered":"Review: 2024 Polaris Slingshot R stands out as the ultimate toy"},"content":{"rendered":"<ul readability=\"0.5\">\n<li dir=\"ltr\" readability=\"-1\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><strong>The Polaris Slingshot three-wheeler is fun for a weekend drive<br \/><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" readability=\"-1\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><strong>It&#8217;s not practical if you need to carry anything<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" readability=\"0\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><strong>Dynamics and power are strengths, providing an engaging experience<br \/><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cDo you have a toy?\u201d It\u2019s a common question I have for auto enthusiast friends and colleagues. Typical answers are some form of <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.motorauthority.com\/news\/1143711_2025-porsche-911-gts-test-drive-review\">Porsche 911<\/a><\/strong>, a BMW M, a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.motorauthority.com\/news\/1137821_2023-honda-civic-type-r-test-drive-review\">Honda Civic Type R<\/a>, an older American muscle car, a Miata, or some type of early SUV.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">An atypical answer would be a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.motorauthority.com\/news\/1140310_2023-polaris-slingshot-test-drive-review\">Polaris Slingshot<\/a>, but perhaps more than any of those other choices it is the very definition of an automotive toy. It\u2019s not exactly automotive, though, as with three wheels and no airbags, it\u2019s considered a motorcycle. Polaris calls it \u201cautomotive-like,\u201d and that works for me.<\/p>\n<p><span id=\"static-marker-video-player-primis\"\/><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">I recently spent two weeks with an Army Green <strong>2024 Polaris Slingshot R<\/strong>, and learned just how much of a toy it is. Here are its pros and cons.<\/p>\n<div class=\"image_wrapper first_wrapper\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" name=\"tccimg_100940238_m\" title=\"2024 Polaris Slingshot R\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAD\/ACwAAAAAAQABAAACADs=\" alt=\"2024 Polaris Slingshot R\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" class=\"first_image lazy\" data-width=\"1024\" data-height=\"768\" data-url=\"https:\/\/images.hgmsites.net\/lrg\/2024-polaris-slingshot-r_100940238_l.webp\" data-src-h=\"https:\/\/images.hgmsites.net\/hug\/2024-polaris-slingshot-r_100940238_h.webp\" data-src=\"https:\/\/images.hgmsites.net\/lrg\/2024-polaris-slingshot-r_100940238_l.webp\" data-src-l=\"https:\/\/images.hgmsites.net\/lrg\/2024-polaris-slingshot-r_100940238_l.webp\" data-src-m=\"https:\/\/images.hgmsites.net\/med\/2024-polaris-slingshot-r_100940238_m.webp\" data-src-s=\"https:\/\/images.hgmsites.net\/sml\/2024-polaris-slingshot-r_100940238_s.webp\"\/><\/p>\n<p>2024 Polaris Slingshot R<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h3 dir=\"ltr\">Con: Practicality<\/h3>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">The Slingshot has no roof, though you can buy one as an accessory. It also has no trunk. I considered going grocery shopping with the Slingshot but decided against it because I would have had to put the bags in the passenger seat where they could have fallen out because there are also no doors. The only good times to drive it are to get from point A to B or to go for a joy ride. It\u2019s not practical if you have to pick up anything larger than what will fit in the glove compartment or two helmet-sized compartments behind the seats.<\/p>\n<div class=\"image_wrapper\"><img decoding=\"async\" name=\"tccimg_100940228_m\" title=\"2024 Polaris Slingshot R\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAD\/ACwAAAAAAQABAAACADs=\" alt=\"2024 Polaris Slingshot R\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" data-width=\"1024\" data-height=\"768\" data-url=\"https:\/\/images.hgmsites.net\/lrg\/2024-polaris-slingshot-r_100940228_l.webp\" data-src-h=\"https:\/\/images.hgmsites.net\/hug\/2024-polaris-slingshot-r_100940228_h.webp\" data-src=\"https:\/\/images.hgmsites.net\/lrg\/2024-polaris-slingshot-r_100940228_l.webp\" data-src-l=\"https:\/\/images.hgmsites.net\/lrg\/2024-polaris-slingshot-r_100940228_l.webp\" data-src-m=\"https:\/\/images.hgmsites.net\/med\/2024-polaris-slingshot-r_100940228_m.webp\" data-src-s=\"https:\/\/images.hgmsites.net\/sml\/2024-polaris-slingshot-r_100940228_s.webp\" class=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p>2024 Polaris Slingshot R<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h3 dir=\"ltr\">Pro and con: Open-air fun<\/h3>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Conversely, the lack of a roof means the Slingshot always provides the open-air fun of a convertible. Depending on your state, you may be required to wear a helmet. Polaris recommends a <strong>full-face helmet<\/strong>, which is a good idea because the rudimentary windshield rises only to about chin level and debris from other cars could shoot into the cockpit, especially on the freeway. The lack of a roof means it\u2019s best to keep the Slingshot in a garage. I couldn\u2019t, so it got rained on several times. That\u2019s OK because the interior is waterproof, and can be hosed out as there are drain holes in the floor beneath the seats.<\/p>\n<div class=\"image_wrapper\"><img decoding=\"async\" name=\"tccimg_100940213_m\" title=\"2024 Polaris Slingshot R\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAD\/ACwAAAAAAQABAAACADs=\" alt=\"2024 Polaris Slingshot R\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" data-width=\"1024\" data-height=\"683\" data-url=\"https:\/\/images.hgmsites.net\/lrg\/2024-polaris-slingshot-r_100940213_l.webp\" data-src-h=\"https:\/\/images.hgmsites.net\/hug\/2024-polaris-slingshot-r_100940213_h.webp\" data-src=\"https:\/\/images.hgmsites.net\/lrg\/2024-polaris-slingshot-r_100940213_l.webp\" data-src-l=\"https:\/\/images.hgmsites.net\/lrg\/2024-polaris-slingshot-r_100940213_l.webp\" data-src-m=\"https:\/\/images.hgmsites.net\/med\/2024-polaris-slingshot-r_100940213_m.webp\" data-src-s=\"https:\/\/images.hgmsites.net\/sml\/2024-polaris-slingshot-r_100940213_s.webp\" class=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p>2024 Polaris Slingshot R<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h3 dir=\"ltr\">Pro and con: Dynamics and engagement<\/h3>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">The Slingshot rides on a tube-frame chassis with a double-wishbone suspension for the front two wheels and coil-over shocks for all three wheels. A drive on twisty roads in the countryside revealed both the strengths and weaknesses of its ride and handling.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Throw the Slingshot R into a corner and the 225\/45R18 <strong>Kenda SS-799<\/strong> front tires grip and the rear end rotates predictably, like a car. That is, if you go easy on the throttle. Get into the gas too hard or too early mid-corner and you\u2019re going for a spin. The Kenda 305\/30R20 rear tire grips when trailing, but when asked to also power the vehicle it gives up and induces an oversteer slide. That\u2019s both alarming and thrilling. Go too hard, and you\u2019ll lose it, but learn the Slingshot\u2019s behavior and limits and you can use the oversteer to shorten a corner, then let off, dial in a bit of opposite direction steering, let it catch, then get on it again to take off in a straight line.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Sometimes that oversteer can\u2019t be controlled, or controlled as easily. Cars had kicked pebbles from the shoulder into the road in some turns on those country roads. The flow of traffic pushed the pebbles to the sides and middle of the lane, so the Slingshot\u2019s front tires gripped just fine, but the rear tire skidded on the pebbles, requiring quick reactions from me. I was aware of these areas and went slow to avoid a problem, but any motorcycle rider will tell you that pebbles are the enemy.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">It&#8217;s a pleasure to turn the Slingshot R\u2019s small-diameter steering wheel. Its electric-assist power steering has the engaging feel of at least hydraulic assist, if not almost manual steering. It\u2019s quick, stable, and engaging, and it provides good feedback of what the front tires are doing.<\/p>\n<div class=\"image_wrapper\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" name=\"tccimg_100940214_m\" title=\"2024 Polaris Slingshot R\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAD\/ACwAAAAAAQABAAACADs=\" alt=\"2024 Polaris Slingshot R\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" data-width=\"1024\" data-height=\"683\" data-url=\"https:\/\/images.hgmsites.net\/lrg\/2024-polaris-slingshot-r_100940214_l.webp\" data-src-h=\"https:\/\/images.hgmsites.net\/hug\/2024-polaris-slingshot-r_100940214_h.webp\" data-src=\"https:\/\/images.hgmsites.net\/lrg\/2024-polaris-slingshot-r_100940214_l.webp\" data-src-l=\"https:\/\/images.hgmsites.net\/lrg\/2024-polaris-slingshot-r_100940214_l.webp\" data-src-m=\"https:\/\/images.hgmsites.net\/med\/2024-polaris-slingshot-r_100940214_m.webp\" data-src-s=\"https:\/\/images.hgmsites.net\/sml\/2024-polaris-slingshot-r_100940214_s.webp\" class=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p>2024 Polaris Slingshot R<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h3 dir=\"ltr\">Con: Rough ride and tough brakes<\/h3>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">The ride is a little rough. The seats sit close to the rear wheel, and that rear coil-over doesn\u2019t provide enough suspension to smooth out the ride, which is also quite busy on rough roads.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">The brakes also have a wooden feel. Like manual brakes, I found that I had to get on them, then push harder to slow the vehicle down for the next sharp corner. They are reasonably sized at 13.3 inches up front with Brembo 4-piston calipers and 11.7 inches on the rear with a single-piston caliper. That should be enough to easily stop the 1,651-pound Slingshot, but it takes some time to get used to the firm pressure needed when hustling this three-wheeler on a backroad.<\/p>\n<div class=\"image_wrapper\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" name=\"tccimg_100940229_m\" title=\"2024 Polaris Slingshot R\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAD\/ACwAAAAAAQABAAACADs=\" alt=\"2024 Polaris Slingshot R\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" data-width=\"1024\" data-height=\"768\" data-url=\"https:\/\/images.hgmsites.net\/lrg\/2024-polaris-slingshot-r_100940229_l.webp\" data-src-h=\"https:\/\/images.hgmsites.net\/hug\/2024-polaris-slingshot-r_100940229_h.webp\" data-src=\"https:\/\/images.hgmsites.net\/lrg\/2024-polaris-slingshot-r_100940229_l.webp\" data-src-l=\"https:\/\/images.hgmsites.net\/lrg\/2024-polaris-slingshot-r_100940229_l.webp\" data-src-m=\"https:\/\/images.hgmsites.net\/med\/2024-polaris-slingshot-r_100940229_m.webp\" data-src-s=\"https:\/\/images.hgmsites.net\/sml\/2024-polaris-slingshot-r_100940229_s.webp\" class=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p>2024 Polaris Slingshot R<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h3 dir=\"ltr\">Pro: Power<\/h3>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">The Slingshot R is quick, but not as quick as its power and weight might suggest. It\u2019s powered by a <strong>2.0-liter inline-4 that makes 203 hp<\/strong> at 8,250 rpm and 144 lb-ft of torque at 6,500 rpm. Power flows to the rear wheel through a belt drive. The engine likes to rev high, all the way to 8,500 rpm, and it makes its best power high in the rev range. That\u2019s for the best because it\u2019s already hard enough to get the single rear wheel to hook up on a hard launch. More torque would only exacerbate that issue. Polaris says the Slingshot R can launch from 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds, but again, that would take a perfect launch with just the right amount of single-wheel slip to achieve that time. However, the Slingshot has more than enough power to get out ahead of traffic, get quickly to freeway speeds, and pass without a fuss. The top speed is limited to 125 mph, and anything above that would seem dangerous to me.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Between the engine\u2019s raspy sound and the road and wind noise that are so prevalent without a top, a high volume is needed to rise above the cacophony. Polaris combats that this year with a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.motorauthority.com\/news\/1141584_2024-polaris-slingshot-price\">new 200-watt Rockford Fosgate<\/a> audio system that replaces a 100-watt unit. It\u2019s no Burmester unit, but it gets the job done through six speakers while letting those around you know your taste in music (or podcasts).<\/p>\n<div class=\"image_wrapper\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" name=\"tccimg_100940245_m\" title=\"2024 Polaris Slingshot R\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAD\/ACwAAAAAAQABAAACADs=\" alt=\"2024 Polaris Slingshot R\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" data-width=\"1024\" data-height=\"768\" data-url=\"https:\/\/images.hgmsites.net\/lrg\/2024-polaris-slingshot-r_100940245_l.webp\" data-src-h=\"https:\/\/images.hgmsites.net\/hug\/2024-polaris-slingshot-r_100940245_h.webp\" data-src=\"https:\/\/images.hgmsites.net\/lrg\/2024-polaris-slingshot-r_100940245_l.webp\" data-src-l=\"https:\/\/images.hgmsites.net\/lrg\/2024-polaris-slingshot-r_100940245_l.webp\" data-src-m=\"https:\/\/images.hgmsites.net\/med\/2024-polaris-slingshot-r_100940245_m.webp\" data-src-s=\"https:\/\/images.hgmsites.net\/sml\/2024-polaris-slingshot-r_100940245_s.webp\" class=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p>2024 Polaris Slingshot R<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3 dir=\"ltr\">Pro: Row your own<\/h3>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">My tester was outfitted with the standard <strong>5-speed manual transmission<\/strong>, which provides short shifts with a satisfying mechanical feel and a natural clutch progression. Polaris charges more for its single-clutch 6-speed automated manual transmission called AutoDrive. As we experienced in a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.motorauthority.com\/news\/1128701_first-drive-review-2021-porsche-cayenne-gts-delivers-on-the-street-and-track\">2020 Polaris Slingshot R<\/a>, it pauses power between its sometimes unpredictable shifts, and is just plain frustrating. Save the upcharge and go with the engaging manual.<\/p>\n<div class=\"image_wrapper\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" name=\"tccimg_100940236_m\" title=\"2024 Polaris Slingshot R\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAD\/ACwAAAAAAQABAAACADs=\" alt=\"2024 Polaris Slingshot R\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" data-width=\"1024\" data-height=\"768\" data-url=\"https:\/\/images.hgmsites.net\/lrg\/2024-polaris-slingshot-r_100940236_l.webp\" data-src-h=\"https:\/\/images.hgmsites.net\/hug\/2024-polaris-slingshot-r_100940236_h.webp\" data-src=\"https:\/\/images.hgmsites.net\/lrg\/2024-polaris-slingshot-r_100940236_l.webp\" data-src-l=\"https:\/\/images.hgmsites.net\/lrg\/2024-polaris-slingshot-r_100940236_l.webp\" data-src-m=\"https:\/\/images.hgmsites.net\/med\/2024-polaris-slingshot-r_100940236_m.webp\" data-src-s=\"https:\/\/images.hgmsites.net\/sml\/2024-polaris-slingshot-r_100940236_s.webp\" class=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p>2024 Polaris Slingshot R<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h3 dir=\"ltr\">Con: Pricey<\/h3>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">The 2024 Polaris Slingshot R starts at $34,799 with manual transmission. That puts it in the ballpark of the Mazda MX-5 Miata, Toyota GR Corolla, and Honda Civic Type R, as well as any number of used sports cars. Those cars offer all the fun of a Slingshot, with far more practicality as they have closed cockpits and don\u2019t require a helmet. However, no matter how good looking any of them are, those cars lack the wow factor that draws the admiration of onlookers like the Slingshot. Less practical and more attention-grabbing. Seems like the ultimate toy to me.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><strong>2024 Polaris Slingshot R<\/strong><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><strong>Base price<\/strong>: $34,799, plus destination that varies by state<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><strong>Price as tested<\/strong>: $37,428, plus destination<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><strong>Powertrain<\/strong>: 203-hp 2.0-liter inline-4, 5-speed manual transmission<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><strong>EPA fuel economy<\/strong>: Not rated, about 30 mpg<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><strong>The pros<\/strong>: Open-air fun, engaging to drive, quick, manual transmission, attention grabber<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><strong>The cons<\/strong>: Impractical, open to the elements, rear wheel can slip, rough ride, pricey<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Polaris Slingshot three-wheeler is fun for a weekend drive It&#8217;s not practical if you need to carry anything Dynamics and power are strengths, providing an engaging experience \u201cDo you have a toy?\u201d It\u2019s a common question I have for auto enthusiast friends and colleagues. Typical answers are some form of Porsche 911, a BMW [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8313,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-76555","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-e-cars"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/76555","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=76555"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/76555\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/8313"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=76555"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=76555"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=76555"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}