The Lucid Air electrical luxurious sedan launched as a challenger to the Tesla Mannequin S in 2022. As we regularly see with new electrical autos (EVs), the primary was an costly, totally loaded mannequin with exclusivity and a price ticket to match. Two years later, the 2024 Lucid Air has a lineup with 4 distinct trims and a beginning worth that makes the Lucid a potential dream for customers with a extra modest luxurious automotive price range.
Effectivity, Effectivity, Effectivity
The Air’s design is beautiful, and the tech is futuristic, however Lucid’s major concern is effectivity. By obsessing over the effectivity of the motors and the environment friendly airflow over and across the physique, Lucid created the highest-range EV within the U.S. With a most mixed effectivity ranking of 137 MPGe, the Air is extra environment friendly than the Tesla Mannequin S. Its 4-door EV rivals from Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, and Audi all get lower than 100 MPGe. Translation: the Lucid goes farther and makes use of much less electrical energy than every of its rivals.
So, other than the vary profit and decrease gas prices, how does higher effectivity make the Lucid Air a greater EV? Lucid can afford to make use of smaller, lighter batteries by focusing intensely on effectivity. The Lucid Air remains to be a fairly heavy automotive, however it’s additionally a giant sedan. The curb weight of the bottom Pure mannequin is 4,536 kilos. That’s about 200 kilos lighter than the lightest Mercedes-Benz S-Class and virtually 1,000 kilos lighter than its EV counterpart, the Mercedes-EQ EQS Sedan.
Driving the Lucid Air
That comparatively svelt curb weight contributes to the automotive’s class-leading effectivity and makes driving a blast. Driving all 4 fashions within the Lucid Air lineup on curvy roads by way of the redwoods of Northern California, every trim had a singular character whereas all 4 shared most of the similar virtues. In each case, the Air felt extremely competent in turns and delivered the thrilling acceleration synonymous with EVs.
As you’re employed up the Lucid Air mannequin vary, the facility, weight, and price ticket all tick upward. The extra you’re prepared to spend, the extra luxurious and high-tech options you get.
Probably the most inexpensive Pure trim is the one to get. This one jogged my memory of a extra conventional luxurious sport sedan from mainstays like BMW and Mercedes-Benz. “Pure” is the suitable identify for it. It’s rear-wheel drive, boasts 430 horsepower, and has a powerful 419-mile EPA-estimated vary. What extra might you need — apart from all-wheel drive (AWD)?
The Touring mannequin is the Lucid Air lineup’s most inexpensive dual-motor AWD trim. The Touring dials up the horsepower to 620, and the vary is nearly an identical to that of the Pure at 411 miles. The additional thrust in comparison with the single-motor powertrain was fairly noticeable. As a lot as we just like the Pure, we wouldn’t blame you for contemplating an additional 190 hp and AWD for less than a further $8,000. It’s the very best worth within the Air household.
The Grand Touring trim is the place efficiency and vary go to the following stage. It has 819 hp and a world-beating most vary of as much as 516 miles. Lucid gave the Grand Touring trim wider rear wheels than the decrease trims, which helps gracefully convey all that energy to the highway. It additionally comes normal with the contents of the Consolation and Comfort Package deal, which features a energy frunk (entrance trunk), soft-close doorways, heated rear seats, 4-zone local weather management, and energy sunshades.
Lastly, the Lucid Air Sapphire is as wild as its spec sheet and price ticket indicate. 1,234 hp and zero-to-60 mph in 1.89 seconds, priced at a quarter-million {dollars}. Touring from a lifeless cease to 60 mph in beneath two seconds is a visceral expertise just like a steep drop on a curler coaster, besides it is a journey you may flip and cease at your discretion. And it’s superb at turning and stopping, too.
One thing for everybody
The Lucid Air has a major worth unfold throughout its mannequin vary. It’s uncommon to have a worth hole of $179,100 between the bottom trim and the highest trim. For many drivers, the dual-motor AWD Touring trim has the very best steadiness of efficiency and luxurious with a price ticket that’s about proper for a luxurious sedan of this caliber, no matter gas supply. We are able to affirm from expertise that each Lucid Air is excellent.
See this week’s Honest Buy Value or see the Air fashions close to you.
