The Lucid Air: A Revolution in Luxury Driving

The Lucid Air has an appearance similar to a vehicle developed by a new company. This can be both positive and negative.

The Lucid Air feels unlike any other vehicle on the highway. This has both positive and negative aspects. In some ways, the Air ranks among the top-performing and most energy-efficient vehicles available today, which is significant. However, it still comes with certain peculiarities.

Lucid
Started air delivery in 2021, yet the vehicle still appears modern due to ongoing hardware and software improvements. Over a lengthy weekend with this Air Touring model, I applied a software upgrade that introduced a novel hands-free driving assistance feature, which is included in the $6,750 DreamDrive Pro package. Having evaluated automobiles for ten years, this was the initial instance where I managed to implement such an extensive update throughout a testing period.

Nevertheless, I prefer operating the vehicle using my hands rather than relying solely on automated systems, and the Air continues to offer an outstanding driving experience. There’s a touch of traditional BMW character in the way the Air performs on the road. The control is exceptional, yet this doesn’t compromise comfort. It strikes the perfect balance between stiffness and flexibility across all three driving modes—Smooth, Swift, and Sprint. Every aspect works together seamlessly.

I had the privilege of meeting several Lucid engineers early this year, and it’s evident they’re genuine automobile lovers. While this is apparent simply from driving the Air, it’s also clear that those responsible for refining the vehicle’s performance truly enjoy driving.

This Air Touring model sits somewhere in the middle of the range, but it still delivers an impressive 620 horsepower. Of course, that’s roughly half (!) as powerful as
the Air Sapphire
However, there isn’t a scenario where you’d require additional power. Frankly, the vehicle would function adequately with even lesser performance. It simply moves between locations instantly, showcasing excessive capability. Nevertheless, Lucid earns credit for tuning the acceleration pedal to avoid abruptness. Driving at a calm pace is quite straightforward.

Advantages: Exceptional Driving Experience and Control, Greater Performance Than Required, Remarkable Fuel Economy

I would like the Air to feature a combined brake pedal. The sole method for achieving energy-efficient regeneration braking is via one-pedal operation. Although the system’s settings are well-tuned, those who favor using the traditional brake pedal should not need to compromise on efficiency or resort to one-pedal driving.

Lucid focuses heavily on efficiency, and the Air model achieves impressive performance from minimal energy use. Over 600 miles of mixed driving—highway, urban areas, and rural roads—I achieved approximately 4.0 miles per kilowatt-hour. While this result is outstanding, it could be even better if not for the heat from the sun entering via the glass roof, which led to frequent AC usage. Despite this, the vehicle offers roughly 362 miles of range. Although slightly below the EPA’s projected 406 miles, this outcome remains impressive, particularly as it comes from a high-speed, premium automobile whose interior experienced significant warming during extended hot days.

Air is also highly space-saving. The Air has dimensions similar to those of a BMW 5 Series or Mercedes E-Class, yet offers an expansive cabin with ample storage in both the front and back compartments. Its interior design is appealing, featuring a sleek curved screen for the instrument cluster and entertainment system, along with another distinct panel for additional car-related and media functionalities. Moreover, it includes convenient physical buttons for adjusting climate settings, fan speed, and audio levels.

The entertainment system responds quickly, yet it isn’t straightforward to use, with certain features being unnecessarily complex. Changing the screen to display range versus battery level involves navigating through the settings menu, whereas the vehicle should naturally present both options continuously. Lucid’s simple design leads to having steering wheel and mirror controls located on the lower part of the touchscreen, which can be quite annoying.

Drawbacks: Construction Quality Problems, Unstable Software, Complex Information System, Lack of Integrated Braking Pedal

Certain internal components do not seem to justify the Air Touring’s starting price of $80,000, let alone the $100,000 version being tested. For instance, much of the trim is made from plastic. Additionally, the craftsmanship is uneven in some areas, featuring poorly aligned panels as well as several creaks and noises. Externally, the spacing between panels is also notably large and irregular.

The voice-controlled driving assistance feature also failed to impress me. It typically performed adequately, yet occasionally it would oscillate between lane markings, making me doubt how effectively it managed road conditions. Nevertheless, the highways in the northeastern region aren’t ideal for such technologies, since they tend to be quite narrow and winding, with heavy congestion.

It strongly resembles a vehicle produced by a new company. It has more peculiarities compared to others, and problems with construction quality and software glitches can be seen. However, I ended up being really impressed by it. This perspective comes easily for me since I did not pay $100,000 for it, yet there is significant impressive engineering involved. It stands among the top driving luxury vehicles available, and its efficiency—in every way the term applies—is outstanding.

There’s an unusual calculation involved here. The Lucid Air appeals specifically to those who appreciate advanced craftsmanship, innovative design, and performance. Apart from the fact that I can’t afford it, in many respects, I fit the ideal buyer profile—a car lover seeking a high-end everyday vehicle. However, I’m aware that I fall outside the typical demographic.

A fellow automobile lover candidly questioned whether the charm of this vehicle is overly specialized. To understand why the Air commands such high prices and why its quirks are acceptable, you must have a particular passion for automobiles.

The Air stands apart from all other vehicles available. For better, and for worse.

Competitors

• BMW i5
• Mercedes-Benz EQE
• Porsche Taycan
• Tesla Model S

• 2024 BMW i5 Preview: The Electric Version of the 5 Series Shines
• The 2025 Porsche Taycan 4S Cross Turismo Makes for the Perfect Everyday Vehicle: Review