Is it a car? Is it a motorcycle? The Polaris Slingshot is pure, unadulterated fun on three wheels, and the company best known for snowmobiles and ATVs made more improvements to the three-wheeler for 2025.
The Polaris Slingshot gets a load of upgrades designed to improve ride and handling as well as its overall look.
Technically a motorcycle — drivers in some states need to wear a helmet — the Slingshot’s the louder, brasher cousin of others in the segment like the Morgan Super 3 and Vanderhall Speedster. With a hyperaggressive front end and bright color schemes, the Slingshot draws attention wherever it goes.
However, the performance of the three-wheeler has always been the lesser of its strengths, but Polaris — to its credit — continues to make improvements and for 2025 it gets a load of upgrades designed to improve ride and handling as well as its overall look.
“Ten years ago, we introduced a vehicle unlike anything else on the road. With three wheels and an open-air cockpit, the Slingshot has withstood the test of time and continues to stand out from the crowd with its one-of-a-kind style,” said Josh Hermes, Polaris Slingshot vice president.
“Since then, year-after-year, we have listened to our owners to continue to improve upon its style and design to deliver an elevated experience. And, in 2025, we’re bringing a fresh new look to the front end, upgraded features and even more options for personalization.”
For 2025, Polaris completely redesigned Slingshot’s front end, offering enhanced front-end components and styling as buyers move up through the four trim levels.
Better performance
The Slingshot can be had in one of four different trim levels, all of which see a small bump in horsepower for 2025 from the 2.0-liter 4-cylinder powering them. The base model S moves from 178 horsepower to 180 while the upper trims move from 200 hp to 204 hp.
While it may not seem like much, these vehicles weigh less than 1,700 pounds so every little pony equates to more fun. The engine tweaks also broadened the torque curve, delivering more power longer, Polaris noted.
The company also continues to improve its AutoDrive automatic transmission. The goal is to provide a more “intuitive and smoother driving experience.” Previous iterations of the AutoDrive have proven to be clunky with slow response times. The manual transmission available is very good.
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Updated looks
For 2025, Polaris completely redesigned Slingshot’s front end, offering enhanced front-end components and styling as buyers move up through the four trim levels: S, SL, SLR and R. For the S model, the new front end has a clean style with newly designed fascia components and a textured finish to enhance its look.
Polaris powers the Slingshot with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder that gets a slight power upgrade for 2025.
The SL model adds graphics to the textured front fascia for a sportier feel, while still maintaining a clean look. Textured closeouts, lower accent lights and painted wing-like design elements are added to enhance the front end on the SLR model, while the front end on the top-of-the-line R model is fully painted and adds a lower splitter — complementing the edgy style of the Vented Sport Hood for a totally new, unique look.
In addition to the exterior updates, Polaris continues to allow owners to personalize their vehicles with an array of factory-engineered accessories that can be installed at the time of purchase. Slingshot owners can provide a finishing touch to their Vented Sport Hood with the premium styling of the Vented Sport Hood Grille.
Other updates
The canvas, Bimini-style top can be had in three colors: black, gray or red.
They can also add color-matched and customizable styling to the upper front end with the Vented Sport Hood Upper Accent Panel (standard on R Models) or add the Front LED Accent Panel to the standard bodywork and give the Slingshot an even bolder look while illuminating the road ahead (standard on SLR and R models).
They can upgrade their Slingshot’s front end with the new Painted Front and Outer Fascia Kits for a custom, eye-catching look, or add an aggressive look with the easy-to-install, textured Lower Front Fascia Accent Kit. With these accessory accents, they will enjoy premium, factory-quality paint that perfectly matches or contrasts their Slingshot’s colors and graphics.
The open-air Slingshot also allows for an Excursion Top to be added. The canvas, Bimini-style top can be had in three colors: black, gray or red. All are color-matched to the various color schemes available on the Slingshot.
Pricing on the Slingshot begins at $24,999 for the Slingshot S manual, and $26,849 with AutoDrive. It tops out at the Slingshot R at $34,999 (manual) or $37,149 (AutoDrive).
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