No one ever said the car business was predictable. The Tesla Model S sedan, arguably the car that started the modern EV revolution back in 2012, is winding down production at its Fremont plant. The Model X SUV is likewise dropping off, replaced by a production line for Tesla’s humanoid robots.
That leaves Newark-based Lucid Motors as the heir-apparent to the title of large electric car disrupters. I had the opportunity earlier this year to spend some time in both Lucid models, which are more than capable of picking up the mantle as the leaders in their segments.
The Lucid Air Touring I drove is the mid-level trim for the midsize luxury sedan. The Touring trim is bracketed by the award-winning entry-level Pure—which I tested in November 2024—and the pricier Grand Touring. It’s a sweet spot for this easy-to-drive and enjoyable car with a starting price $81,400—including destination charges.
The catch with our test car is its final price was north of $100,000 because of the addition of its DreamDrive Pro hands-free driver-assist program, 21-speaker audio system, 20-inch wheels and upgraded interior bits. Trust me, the add-ons were nice, but not necessary to define this car.
The core of the Air Touring is crisp performance, long range and fast charging. With motors on each of the axles providing 620 horsepower, the Air Touring will hit 60 mph in 3.4 seconds. If you keep those speed sprints down, the Touring can take you well past 400 miles on a full charge. Our model with the taller tires was EPA-rated at 396 miles.
Our real-world observations are that the range estimates were solid, as Lucid’s efficient motors do their work effortlessly. Recharging the 92 kWh battery is fast because of Lucid’s 700V electrical architecture, which can deliver up to 200 miles of range in 16 minutes on a 250 kW charger.
One added note that, like many of the technical highlights, applies to the Gravity as well. One of the negatives about the Model S from the beginning was that it was a great car, but not really a luxury car in spite of its elevated price.
Lucid has all of the touch points of luxury—fine materials, attention to detail and a high level of comfort. Look at the back seat, something that distinguishes the Air. Its 37.6 inches of legroom make it tempting to think of it as a limousine rather than the driver’s car it is.
The Gravity—Down to Earth
Lucid just started delivering models of its three-row SUV late last year after a few hiccups in the launch. I previewed a static version of the seven-passenger vehicle, but finally got to do a few short drives with one of the car’s product managers on board. Like the Air, it hits the mark for a luxury-class entry in this segment. Interior space is impressive. Lucid again packages a full-size interior into a midsize exterior.
Photos by Michael Coates
Photos by Michael Coates
But the Gravity offers more than efficiency and luxury—it zeros in on functionality. The frunk (front trunk) is designed for two people to comfortably sit when the car is parked, while the middle row has airline-style drop-down trays and its own display screen and soft touch surfaces abound.
The whole Gravity package reads like a big SUV wish list—560-to-828 horsepower, 337-450 miles of range and 200 miles of range added from 11 to 15 minutes of fast charging. Its adjustable air suspension can change your ride height on the fly.
If you’d rather bulk up with stuff instead of passengers, there’s 120 cubic feet of flat floor behind the two front seats. The interior cabin has a bunch of configuration options to accommodate a variety of people and things. It can tow up to 6,000 pounds.
The Gravity has two models—Touring and pricier Grand Touring, which starts at the same $81,400 as the Air Touring sedan. More models are promised, but right now Lucid’s Air and Gravity are sitting as the kings of the EV disrupter pack.
