Test Vehicle’s MSRP: $102,600 (Base Pure Trim MSRP): $71,000
Seating Capacity: 5
Standard Safety Features: airbags; ABS; rear view monitoring; a front and rear cross traffic alert system; a 360-degree camera; blind spot warning; an adaptive front lighting system; and a tire pressure monitoring system
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Standard Equipment (Touring): 19-inch wheels; power trunk open and close; heated dimming power folding out door mirrors; power charge point door; power illuminated door handles; 31-inch driver cluster and infotainment screen; retractable pilot; turn-by-turn online navigation; digital key; power side and rear sunshade; a three-zone automatic climate control system; smartphone wireless charging; streaming apps for Tunein, iHeart radio; podcasts, and tidal; a driver alert drowsiness system; an automatic park-in/park-out parallel system; adaptive radar cruise control; and a standard metal roof
Options: 20-inch wheels; a highway assist driving system; a 21 Surreal Sound Pro speaker system; glass canopy roof; a leather headliner; heated precision wipers, steering wheel and rear seats; 20-way power front seats with massage and ventilation; stealth appearance; and Fathom blue metallic exterior color
Other Trim Levels:
Grand Touring
Sapphire
Standard Audio On Test Vehicle: a 9-speak Surreal audio system with AM/FM/HD/SiriusXM
Android/Apple CarPlay: Yes
Bluetooth Connectivity: Standard
USB Connectivity: Standard
Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty: 4 years or 50,000 miles
Battery Warranty: 8 years or 100,000 miles
Standard Motor/Horsepower (Test Vehicle): Single speed gear/620-hp
Driving Range: 396
Standard Fuel Mileage: 124-city/119-hwy (test model)
What’s New: For the 2025 model year, the Lucid Air is literally a carryover model. Lucid’s team has added more standard driving safety aids and has improved its tech interface.
Why:
All-electric
Depending on trim ... horsepower ranges from 400 up 1,234
Near a 400-mile driving range (on test model); one of the best in the industry
20 or 21-inch wheels available
Variety of trims
A variety of massaging seat selection
Easy close power doors like one would expect from a lux brand
Cargo storage for the power operated hood (frunk)
A high-quality optional concert sounding 21-speaker sound system
Programmable opening and closing doors locking and unlocking upon entry/exit
3.4 seconds from 0-to-60, according to Lucid engineers on our test model
An optional glass canopy panoramic roof that blocks heat and harmful x-rays
Optional power rear sunshade
Pass-through to trunk via backseat
Upwards of 500 miles of range and 1,234-horsepower on select trims
But:
Some of its competitors offer a longer new-car warranty and battery warranty
In order to operate the vehicle, literally everything has to be done through the computer screen… from the power operated tilt-telescopic steering wheel to the exterior mirrors to the power operated glove box
The setup, layout and location of many of the features to operate the vehicle is different from most (eg. Windshield wipers, radar activated cruise control, hazard light and the like)
No brake hold feature
No power operated sunroof
No hands-free steering on the test vehicle
Takes a moment to figure out how to use the co-pilot assist
No rear-wheel drive model available on Touring trim
A very firm suspension …. doesn’t feel like a Mercedes or Genesis
No heads up display system
The low-slung big body five-seater sedan, with its futuristic design language and signature strip fascia lighting, is available in a variety of trims. Based on appearance and size, one would expect a boulevard ride from this vehicle similar to the Cadillacs and Lincolns of the seventies.
However, it was quite the opposite. In fact, our Lucid Air Touring trim with the optional 20-inch wheels and AWD configuration handled more like a track-ready sports car pushing out 620-horsepower. Unlike the suspension system in the Mercedes-Benz AMG EQS flagship performance electric sedan, we previously tested, the Air Touring trim suspension system was both firm and unforgiving. Luicid doesn't give us the option to adjust the driving mode. Since we haven't test Lucid's other trims without the optional wheels and the AWD configuration, we're not able to comment on the suspension system.
Outside of the ride and handling, the Lucid Air Touring trim excelled in both driving range and horsepower. Many electric car makers can take a page from the start-up in these two critical areas. With this brand, range anxiety isn’t in its vernacular (or DNA). Lucid’s engineering team nailed it in both areas and can serve as an industry benchmark. Our Lucid Air Touring nearly garnered 400 miles of range on a full charge.
And, as it related to the interior layout, Lucid's engineering and design team pushed the envelope. Occupants in the front seat will immediately notice the vehicle's glass-to-glass open décor along with its free-floating front sun visors. We must note the emergency hazard switch was situated between the sun visors as opposed to being located on the steering wheel or dashboard. What an odd location?
We also found the virtual owner's manual, which was located in the center stack of the infotainment system, to be a useful tool. With the exception of the power seat controls and the window switches, we didn't know where many of the features were to operate the (ie. massaging seats).
Furthermore, for those seeking space to store groceries or luggage, the Lucid Air Touring offered cargo space under the power operated hood, which is known as a frunk in the electric vehicle world, and the traditional trunk. Ironically, in many of the legacy makes who have embraced EVs, their frunks, still looks like a hood underneath and aren’t designed for cargo. We found that to be the case with both Genesis and Mercedes-Benz electric vehicles.
Lastly, while the high-tech vehicle included everything from a power operated frunk to an optional room temperature canopy top, which protected occupants from sun rays, the Air Touring lacked an available hands-free highway steering system. Yes, the vehicle was outfitted with a somewhat complicated radar-assist steering wheel, but Lucid lacks the steering technology being offered on Lincon and Cadillac.
Furthermore, while this was one of the most high-tech EVs we’ve driven, we were surprised it lacked a hands-free steering system and a power operated panoramic roof. Thankfully the glass roof with canopy allowed us to find the perfect interior temperature, while protecting us from the Georgia sun.
Overall, in a sea of me-too vehicles on the road, the Lucid sedan, with its optional glass canopy roof, was reminiscent of cars from the past. The vehicle definitely stands out from the crowd. At a $71,000 starting price, Lucid’s flagship car is available in a rear wheel drive or an AWD configuration with either a single or dual motor.
Competition: BMW i7; Genesis G80 Electrified; and Mercedes-Benz EQS
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