The Polaris Slingshot is an interesting beast. It is, by far, one of the most unique vehicles you can buy in the U.S. today, though depending on where you live, it may require a motorcycle license. However, in most states, you can buy and drive one just like a normal car, albeit one that should only be driven while wearing a full-face helmet.
I recently spent a week with a 2021 Polaris Slingshot R and came away from the experience more than a little conflicted. On one hand, it’s too much for me on a personal level, as I think it’s too wildly styled and costs too much money. On the other hand, it’s impossible to ignore the charm of the thing. It’s loud, too quick for its own good, and a totally crazy driving experience that lands somewhere between being a complete riot and terrifying, depending on how and where it’s driven.
There’s no ignoring this when it’s next to you in traffic.Chris Teague
However, for many, the Slingshot remains a complete mystery, so here are three things you need to know.
It’s Loud
No, I don’t mean loud in the sense that you can hear it coming – though that’s part of the deal, too. I mean loud in the visual sense. Like, 1990s ugly sweater loud. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but the one thing that isn’t up for debate is that the Slingshot is eye-catching. Add a couple of people wearing full-face helmets and it’s nearly impossible to look away from the thing.
It’s a Crazy Driving Experience
It’s true that this isn’t a motorcycle, but the way the Slingshot puts its passengers’ rear ends just a couple of inches off the road surface and not all that far away from its 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine creates one lively experience. Every bump, crack, and sound can be felt and heard, though it’s not unpleasant at all and adds to the experience. Couple that with the open-air driving experience and giant tires communicating it all into the steering wheel and the Slingshot is a wild ride.
It’s Surprisingly Quick
I tested the Slingshot R, which is one of the flashier and more expensive models Polaris makes. Its in-house four-cylinder engine checks in at 2.0 liters and delivers 203 horsepower, 144 pound-feet of torque, and a whole lot of noise. The advertised 0-60 mph time for the R is 4.9 seconds, which is quicker than some sports sedans, though it feels much more violent and faster than that in person. The optional Autodrive five-speed gearbox is an automated manual, which means that it will shift itself when asked, but is happiest with the driver firing off shifts with the steering wheel-mounted paddles.
The Slingshot is one of the few vehicles that defies almost everything to be what it is. It doesn’t make sense for people who want a motorcycle and it’s not particularly appealing to someone wanting a convertible or roadster. You have to be in the market for a Slingshot to end up buying a Slingshot, and for those that are, they’ve never been better than they are now.
