Electric cars are still relatively new, and they’re working on improving range, charging speed, and charging infrastructure to alleviate range anxiety. While the best electric vehicles (EVs) currently offer around 300 miles of range, gas-powered cars still surpass them with over 400 miles. However, there’s one EV that stands out for feeling more advanced: the Lucid Air. This car comes from a new company, yet it seems more mature than its competitors.
The Lucid Air embodies what an electric car in 2023 should be. With a range exceeding 500 miles, a thoughtful blend of digital and physical controls, and a futuristic design, it sets a high standard. However, the starting price is around $80,000, which places it in the luxury car category.
Despite its high price, the Lucid Air feels like a significant step toward more advanced and higher-quality electric cars. I had the opportunity to drive this car for a week, and here are my impressions.
Initially, the design of the Lucid Air didn’t win me over. After seeing it in photos and on the streets of the San Francisco Bay Area, I was undecided. While I don’t love the exterior, I don’t dislike it either. The car has smooth lines and a low profile, and the front end is well-integrated, unlike some other models. The rear design includes a full-width light bar, giving it a distinctive look.
One of the design highlights is the expansive glass roof, which stretches along the car’s length. Inside, this means sunshades are mounted directly on the glass, adding to the sleek appearance. Although other cars also feature large glass roofs, it’s a trend I hope continues.
Inside, the Lucid Air impresses immediately with its spacious, comfortable interior, premium materials, and high-end features like massage functions, seat heating and cooling, and more. These touches are remarkable, especially for the first car from a new company.
The tech inside the Lucid Air is another big plus. A series of screens across the front ensure that everything is easy to control. Starting from the left, there’s a small display for the headlights, windshield wipers, and charging port door. You might not need these controls often, as some features like headlights can operate automatically.
Next is the digital instrument display, which is simple and well-designed. It shows essential information like speed and power usage without cluttering the interface. Then, there’s the infotainment screen for audio and navigation. While I don’t love Lucid’s interface as much as the others, I appreciated the newly added CarPlay support, even though it doesn’t perfectly fit the display.
The final screen is where you’d typically find the gear selector. This screen controls driving modes, mirrors, seats, and some climate functions. It’s user-friendly — even my wife quickly navigated the seat massager controls.
Although adjusting climate controls on a screen isn’t as convenient as physical buttons, Lucid has included physical selectors for fan speed and temperature for both the driver and passenger. Most of the time, you won’t need to delve into the screen for these settings, which is a nice touch.
The Lucid Air’s remarkable range is a key feature. Even the base model boasts up to 410 miles, more than any other EV currently available. Higher-end models, like the Lucid Air Grand Touring, offer up to 516 miles. This effectively eliminates range anxiety for many drivers. In my week with the car — including day-to-day driving and a four-hour round trip — I only needed to charge it once, with nearly 100 miles still remaining. Even driving in Swift mode and with frequent use of air conditioning didn’t drastically reduce the range.
When it comes time to charge, the Lucid Air does so quickly. Although my local charging station maxes out at 150kW, the car itself can charge at speeds up to 300kW, bringing it from 10% to 90% in about 45 minutes. Even a shorter 20-minute charge can provide over 200 miles of range.
With its impressive range, stylish interior, and solid feature set, the Lucid Air is a joy to drive. The Grand Touring model is particularly fast, with responsive steering and good handling in corners. The immediate acceleration typical of electric cars is exhilarating, and Sprint mode truly delivers.
The car also includes helpful driver-assistance features, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warnings, and blind spot cameras that activate with the turn signals. It even has a reliable auto park feature. These features are expected in a 2023 EV but are well-executed in the Lucid Air.
In conclusion, the Lucid Air shows that electric cars can match the range of gas-powered ones while offering modern features and a sleek design. Its long range justifies a higher price, placing it in the luxury EV category alongside competitors like the EQS and Model S. For those prioritizing interior comfort, the EQS may be preferable, but for tech-forward features and exceptional range, the Lucid Air stands out.