We’re Driving The 2020 Polaris Slingshot And It’s More Practical Than It Looks

In the past few years, a number of convertibles and roadsters have fallen by the wayside.

The Audi TT and Mercedes SLC are on the way out, while the Buick Cascada and Volkswagen Beetle Convertible have already joined the automotive afterlife.

The deaths of these models means there aren’t many convertibles left. The Mazda MX-5 Miata is still kicking but its platform mate, the Fiat 124 Spider, is likely living on borrowed time.

Also Read: 2020 Polaris Slingshot Has Updated Looks And New Four-Cylinder, Prices Start Under $27k

However, if you keep an open mind, there’s a third entry-level roadster. We’re talking about the Polaris Slingshot which received a host of updates for 2020.

We’re currently driving the high-performance R variant and we’ll have a full review out a little later. However, in the meantime, we’ll take a look at how practical it really is.

While the Slingshot is a three-wheeler that eschews a trunk, the model does have two lockable storage compartments behind the seats. They hold up to 3.48 cubic feet (99 liters) of luggage, which is a bit less than MX-5’s capacity of 4.59 cubic feet (130 liters). However, the Slingshot has a sizable glovebox which holds an extra 0.13 cubic feet (3.8 liters) of equipment.

While 3.48 cubic feet (99 liters) isn’t much, the storage compartments come in pretty handy. Besides providing a place to store a helmet, they can accommodate groceries and a couple of airline-style personal bags. However, since they’re split, they can’t hold larger items such a camera backpack.

Speaking of practicality, the 2020 Slingshot features a brand new AutoDrive transmission. It’s an automated five-speed manual which promises to open up the model to new customers as the three-wheeler used to be manual-only.

In the case of our R variant, the transmission is connected to a new 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that was developed by Polaris. It produces 203 hp (151 kW / 206 PS) and 144 lb-ft (195 Nm) of torque. This enables the 1,640 lbs (744 kg) roadster to rocket from 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in just 4.9 seconds.

We’ll have a lot more to say about the Slingshot and it’s new gearbox in the future, but we’ll remind that pricing starts at $26,499 which undercuts the MX-5.