The belief did not strike me instantly. I used to be within the midst of testing the Lucid Air Pure for every week, and on day six, the query out of the blue got here to me: “Is that this the most effective electrical automobile I’ve ever pushed?”
The extra I contemplated, the extra I leaned towards the reply being between “possibly” and “in all probability, sure.”
That’s fairly a praise, particularly for somebody who oversees a publication centered on electrical automobiles. But it surely’s a sentiment I genuinely consider. The Lucid Air, notably in its Pure configuration, exemplifies what each different EV producer ought to attempt for within the coming years.
Nevertheless, that doesn’t suggest it’s with out flaws. It additionally didn’t safe our Breakthrough of the 12 months Award.
(Welcome to The Breakthrough Awards—a sequence highlighting people, applied sciences, and automobiles which might be advancing us towards a extra sustainable power future. Discover the remaining tales beneath.)
### Why The Lucid Air Pure Is A Breakthrough
My preliminary expertise with any Lucid Air was earlier this 12 months when Contributing Editor and State of Cost YouTube host Tom Moloughney and I took one on a spherical journey from New York to Boston in a single day. The mannequin we drove was the Grand Touring, boasting a formidable 516 miles of electrical vary (or 480 miles with the wheels we had).
This determine is astounding alongside its 819 horsepower, placing design, and opulent inside. The Lucid Air GT stands out as one of many high road-trip automobiles I’ve ever skilled—maybe the most effective. Its 900-volt structure enabled it to realize 250 miles of vary in simply 13 minutes whereas utilizing a 350-kW charger. I had no nostalgia for gasoline.
Nevertheless, this model is priced at $125,550. In the event you want 1,234 horsepower and might speed up from 0 to 60 mph in 1.89 seconds, you may go for the high-end Sapphire mannequin at a staggering $249,000.
The Lucid Air Pure, launched late final 12 months, presents a way more possible choice, beginning at $69,900. After together with choices, my check mannequin was priced at $74,350—not precisely “low-cost,” however considerably decrease than the six-figure trims we have encountered from Lucid earlier than, and in some ways, it could be even higher.
The Air Pure nonetheless manages to supply an distinctive 420 miles of EPA-rated vary (or 384 miles with the 20-inch wheels on my check automobile). That is spectacular given its 88-kWh battery (decreased to 84 kWh for 2025) in comparison with the Grand Touring’s 111-kWh pack. Moreover, the inside consolation stage is on par with its pricier counterparts.
As Contributing Editor Abigail Bassett famous, “It is exhausting to quantify how cavernous the inside of the Lucid Air is. It’s extremely future-forward and cozy.” Workers Author Kevin Williams shared my sentiment that the Pure is probably the best-driving model of the Air, partly as a result of its almost 1,000-pound lighter weight in comparison with the GT or Sapphire, attributed to the smaller battery.
Kevin additionally expressed preliminary issues about whether or not the absence of mind-blowing energy would render the automobile much less interesting. Nevertheless, he discovered the alternative to be true. “If something, the dearth of energy makes the Air extra likable as a result of it doesn’t really feel such as you’re piloting a guided missile.”
The breakthrough facet of the Air Pure stems from its effectivity. Whereas this may increasingly sound like jargon, it’s essential: by prioritizing class-leading electrical motors, aerodynamic design, high-efficiency battery cells, and a warmth pump, the Lucid Air Pure achieves better vary whereas consuming much less power than any competing automobile. This technique permits for elevated vary with out enlarging the battery, avoiding extreme weight and prices.
Amongst all of the automobiles we evaluated this 12 months, the Air Pure obtained among the most enthusiastic opinions. Tom Moloughney said, “The Lucid Air Pure gives the most effective mixture of effectivity, consolation, driving dynamics, and value of any automobile presently obtainable.” Kevin echoed this sentiment, declaring, “Out of all of the contenders, I loved driving the Air essentially the most.”
### Why It’s Not Our Winner
Regardless of the Air Pure’s velocity, consolation, energy, and—there’s that phrase once more—effectivity, it might cater extra to fans. Whereas it surpasses the technical features of the Mannequin S, it lacks the charisma and attract that Tesla possessed when it pioneered the market. Whether or not as a result of advertising choices or its engineering-centric strategy, explaining what Lucid Motors represents is a problem. The model’s picture may benefit from a transition in the direction of a vibe extra harking back to Porsche or BMW reasonably than Saab.
That mentioned, the Air Pure is undeniably spectacular in each specs and consumer expertise. Nevertheless, we needed to weigh if it constituted a real breakthrough.
A essential query we requested ourselves throughout this deliberation was, “What brings us nearer to a universally accessible electrical future?” This consideration prevented me from awarding this honor to a different luxurious automobile priced round $70,000. The EV market should transcend such choices.
Moreover, I need to candidly admit that the Air Pure may need secured high recognition if it had executed flawlessly, which it has not. Being a smaller firm, it’s evident that Lucid allocates its R&D funds primarily towards manufacturing and powertrains. Sadly, its software program interface and automatic driving help know-how fall wanting expectations for this class, plus there are persistent high quality points requiring consideration.
Senior Reporter Tim Levin talked about, “The twin-screen setup usually left me puzzled. The freeway driver-assistance system, too, had its flaws; it regularly jogged my memory to position my palms on the steering wheel, even after they have been already there. And once I wore a baseball cap, the Air incessantly instructed me to concentrate once I briefly seemed away.”
These should not options you need in any automobile, notably one priced above $70,000.
A number of judges famous that the amount rocker on the steering wheel felt awkward and was considerably delayed, though the central quantity curler carried out significantly better.
Finally, our judges reached a consensus: the Lucid Air embodies what the Tesla Mannequin S ought to have been in 2024, at a time when the market has shifted to the Mannequin Y and numerous reasonably priced alternate options.
Deputy Editor Mack Hogan noticed, “For the common purchaser at the moment, the Pure doesn’t shift expectations. A automobile that was already among the many most effective has merely turn out to be extra environment friendly. Nice, however this mannequin represents exactly what many People appear to be transferring away from. Few are buying $70,000 sedans, and people who do should not selecting Lucid. Because of this the corporate’s future seemingly hinges on the Gravity, not the Air.”
Kevin concurred, noting, “This incremental development is not translating to gross sales. $70,000 is a major funding, and the market is searching for both extra reasonably priced choices or automobiles designed like crossovers.”
Lucid is actively addressing these challenges as an organization in transition. I sincerely hope they discover options; I can envision a time when the Gravity or Challenge Midsize may stand out on the Breakthrough Awards.
Whereas “effectivity” could not evoke pleasure, it’s the cornerstone of electrical transportation’s future. Lucid’s strategy has been validated persistently. When these developments turn out to be commonplace in mainstream EVs, they may dominate the market.
Presently, the premier electrical automobile obtainable is one more dear sedan—a pattern that the 2024 market doesn’t require.
Contact the creator at: Patrick.George@insideevs.com.
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