Review: Lucid Air
The Air’s 1,234-hp Sapphire variant can out-drag a Bugatti Chiron, yet its base model achieves Prius-like efficiency. This Jekyll-and-Hyde duality makes Lucid’s flagship sedan one of the most fascinating EVs on the market, but can it balance these extremes into a cohesive ownership experience?
Table of Contents
Pros and Cons
Advantages
- Undisputed Range King: Since launch, the Lucid Air has set the bar high, with most versions delivering over 400 miles of EPA-estimated range and the Grand Touring model pushing it to an impressive 512 miles!
- Speed Champion: Lucid Air isn't just a range leader, it dominates in speed too. Most trims hit 60 mph in under 4 seconds, while the Sapphire blazes there in an unreal 1.89 seconds, outperforming the Tesla Model S Plaid in real-world tests.
- 900V Architecture: While most EVs stick with 800V systems, the Lucid Air has used a cutting-edge 900V setup since 2022, allowing DC fast charging up to 300 kW. Lower trims run on a still-capable 700V platform.
- Expansive Rear Passenger Space: Lucid Air delivers S-Class-level rear passenger space, providing a first-class experience even for those sitting behind the front row.
- Ride Comfort: The Lucid Air uses traditional steel coil springs instead of air suspension, yet still provides impressive ride comfort, particularly when set to Smooth mode.
Disadvantages
- Fit and Finish Could Be Better: The Air’s cabin impresses with tech and dual-tone design, but the materials don’t quite match those found in top-tier luxury competitors.
- Software Glitches Still Present: Being Lucid’s debut model, the Air occasionally suffers from unresolved bugs — some so critical they can temporarily render the vehicle inoperable.
- Can Be Extremely Pricey: Most Air models are competitively priced, but the high-performance Sapphire kicks off at an eye-watering $249,000.
Let's Pick Your Perfect Lucid Air
Lucid Air has already secured its place in EV history with the Grand Touring shattering range expectations and the Sapphire launching to 60 mph like a real rocket. But what about the rest of the lineup?
In this guide, we’ll walk through both current and discontinued Air trims to help you find the one that fits. And don’t let the high price scare you off, some trims are surprisingly more affordable than you'd expect.
Current Air Trims
Air Pure RWD (2022 -…)
Price in the US: $69,900 (new)
Price in Europe: €85,000 (new)
Pure RWD is the entry-level trim in the Air lineup, but don’t dismiss it too quickly. It offers 420 miles of range (EPA), which tops Tesla Model S and most other electric luxury sedans. Acceleration is also strong (0–60 mph in 4.5 s). But it’s not all perfect.
This trim uses a 700V architecture, which limits peak DC charging to 200 kW. However, it shares a powerful 19.2 kW on-board charger with the rest of the lineup, and thanks to its smaller battery, Pure RWD can recharge quicker at home.
Air Touring (2022 -…)
Price in the US: $78,900 (new)
Price in Europe: €99,900 (new)
The next step in the Air lineup is the Touring trim, now serving as the base AWD model. It brings several advantages over the Pure RWD, including quicker acceleration, 0-60 mph in 3.4 s, and a higher peak DC charging speed of 250 kW.
However, it’s not without downsides. Its EPA-estimated range of 406 miles is slightly lower than the Pure RWD, and it still uses the same 700V architecture.
Air Grand Touring (2022 -…)
Price in the US: $110,900 (new)
Price in Europe: €129,900 (new)
This trim is a true record-breaker. What makes it stand out? Its 512-mile range (EPA) has remained unmatched since 2022. The 0–60 mph time of 3 seconds may not be extreme, but it’s more than enough for everyday driving.
Built on a rare 900V architecture, the GT supports 300 kW peak DC charging. In our view, it's the best daily luxury sedan you can buy right now.
The only real drawback is the high price — but if you're open to used models, you can find a pre-owned Air GT for under $70,000. Deal of the year!
Air Sapphire (2023 -…)
Price in the US: $249,000 (new)
Price in Europe: €250,000 (new)
The Sapphire delivers a rare mix of luxury and extreme performance. How many electric sedans can launch from 0 to 60 mph in just 1.89 seconds? While the Model S Plaid offers similarly wild speed, real-world tests show the Sapphire is quicker.
By the way, it comes standard with carbon-ceramic brakes and center-lock wheels.
Still, the one area where Tesla wins is price. With a nearly $250,000 sticker, the Sapphire is limited to a select group of ultra-wealthy buyers. And its range of 427 miles (EPA) falls short of what the cheaper GT trim offers.
Discontinued Air Trims
Air Pure AWD (2023-2024)
Price in the US: ≈$48,995 (used)
Pure AWD was Lucid's entry-level all-wheel-drive trim, but its minimal differences from the Touring model led to its discontinuation. It offered quicker acceleration than the standard Pure thanks to a dual-motor setup, though the Touring still beat it by 0.2 seconds. Most other specs matched the base trim.
Air Grand Touring Performance (2022-2024)
Price in the US: ≈$78,000 (used)
To push boundaries further, Lucid unveiled a quicker Grand Touring variant in 2022 with 1,050 hp and 921 lb-ft of torque, reaching 60 mph in just 2.7 seconds. Still, the Dream Edition Performance was faster, and the debut of the Sapphire rendered this trim largely irrelevant.
Air Dream Edition Performance (2021-2022)
Price in the US: ≈$80,000 (used)
The Dream Edition was Lucid’s first limited-run series for the Air, launched in 2021. Available in Range and Performance trims, both delivered standout specs, with the Performance model offering 1,110 hp, 1,025 lb-ft of torque, and a 0–60 mph time of just 2.6 seconds. That said, finding one today won’t be easy — it’s a rare trim.
Air Dream Edition Range (2021-2022)
Price in the US: ≈$81,974 (used)
On the flip side of the Dream Edition legacy, it has held the title of the longest-range sedan since 2021, boasting an EPA-estimated 520 miles. While that figure is impressive, it’s uncertain how it would hold up under the revised EPA testing standards introduced in 2024.
Verdict
The Lucid Air lineup is broader than it appears at first glance, offering a variety of trims on both new and used markets to suit nearly any budget. This makes it a top contender for anyone seeking a luxury EV sedan or the longest-range electric vehicle available.
Still, range isn’t the only thing that matters. Compare the Lucid Air to its competitors (Tesla Model S, BMW i7, Mercedes-Benz EQS) to see how it stacks up in other key areas.
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