In 2022, the Lucid Air electric luxury sedan made its debut as a rival to the Tesla TSLA, 1.60% Model S. The first was an expensive, fully loaded model with exclusivity and a price tag to match, as is common with new electric vehicles. Two years later, buyers with a more modest luxury car budget may find the 2024 Lucid LCID, 14.23% Air to be a feasible dream thanks to its lineup of four distinct trims and affordable starting price. ($77,400 plus a destination charge of $1,575)
Efficiency, efficiency, and more efficiency
Although the technology and design of the Air are cutting edge, Lucid is primarily focused on efficiency. Lucid designed the longest-range electric vehicle (EV) available in the United States by focusing on the motors’ efficiency and the airflow surrounding and over the body. The Tesla Model S is not as efficient as the Air, with a maximum combined efficiency rating of 137 MPGe. Audi, Porsche POAHY (1.22%), Mercedes-Benz MBG (1.29%), and other 4-door EV competitors all achieve less than 100 MPGe. In other words, compared to all of its competitors, the Lucid uses less electricity and travels farther.
So how does increased efficiency make the Lucid Air an even better EV, besides the range advantage and cheaper fuel costs? Lucid’s extreme focus on efficiency allows them to use lighter, smaller batteries. The Lucid Air is a large sedan, but it’s still quite heavy. The Pure model base weighs 4,536 pounds at the curb. That makes it roughly 1,000 pounds lighter than the Mercedes-EQ EQS Sedan, its electric equivalent, and about 200 pounds lighter than the lightest Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
That relatively svelt curb weight contributes to the car’s class-leading efficiency and makes driving a blast. Driving all four models in the Lucid Air lineup on curvy roads through the redwoods of Northern California, each trim had a unique personality while all four shared many of the same virtues. In every case, the Air felt highly competent in turns and delivered the exciting acceleration synonymous with EVs.
As you work up the Lucid Air model range, the power, weight, and price tag all tick upward. The more you’re willing to spend, the more luxury and high-tech features you get.
Get the Pure trim that is the least expensive. This one made me think of a more conventional high-end sport sedan from brands like Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and 1.12%. The term “pure” is appropriate for it. It has 430 horsepower, rear-wheel drive, and an amazing 419 miles of estimated EPA range. If not all-wheel drive (AWD), then what more could you ask for?
The least expensive dual-motor AWD trim in the Lucid Air lineup is the Touring model. With 620 horsepower, the Touring has a range of 411 miles, which is nearly the same as the Pure. It was easy to notice the extra thrust over the single-motor powertrain. Even though we love the Pure, you could reasonably consider the additional 190 horsepower and AWD available for just $8,000. Among the Air family, it offers the best value.
Performance and range reach new heights in the Grand Touring trim. With a world-beating maximum range of up to 516 miles, it boasts 819 horsepower. In order to more elegantly transfer all that power to the road, Lucid gave the Grand Touring trim wider rear wheels than the other trims. The Comfort and Convenience Package’s features, such as a power sunshade, soft-close doors, heated rear seats, 4-zone climate control, and a power frunk (front trunk), are also standard.
At last, the Lucid Air Sapphire is every bit as outrageous as its specifications and cost suggest. A quarter of a million dollars gets you 1,234 horsepower and a 0 to 60 mph time of 1.89 seconds. It feels like a roller coaster steep drop when you go from a complete stop to sixty miles per hour, but you can stop and turn the ride whenever you want. It also does a great job of turning and stopping.
Something for everyone to enjoy
The price of the Lucid Air varies significantly depending on the model. A $179,100 price difference between the base trim and the top trim is unusual. Regardless of fuel source, the dual-motor AWD Touring trim offers the best combination of luxury and performance for the majority of drivers, and its price is about right for a luxury sedan of this caliber. Experience has shown us that every Lucid Air is exceptional.
