I’m not going to sit down right here and inform you that Lucid Motors’ entry-level sedan is a greater automotive than its technological tour de pressure, the $250,000, thousand-plus-horsepower Air Sapphire. However after driving the American electrical automobile startup’s total lineup back-to-back, it’s clear that the most cost effective Lucid is the only option for most individuals.
After all, in case you’ve received a quarter-million large ones burning a gap in your pocket and a powerful abdomen for curler coaster-like acceleration, then by all means, knock your self out and purchase a Sapphire. It can shatter your understanding of what a automotive can do. For these of us who don’t want a life-altering EV or, extra possible, can’t afford one, there’s the 2024 Air Pure.
Beginning at $71,400, the Pure isn’t low cost. However it’s the lowest-priced automobile Lucid sells. Importantly, it doesn’t really feel like a significant downgrade from the automaker’s dearer and extremely spectacular stablemates. It delivers almost every thing that makes Lucid’s vehicles superior—distinctive vary, jaw-dropping interiors and nice expertise—simply at a extra accessible worth.
[Full Disclosure: Lucid put me up in a hotel near its Northern California headquarters and provided food and drink so I could test the Air lineup.]
The 2024 Lucid Air Lineup
The Air Pure RWD went on sale in late 2023 for $78,900 earlier than getting a large worth reduce earlier this yr. Lucid additionally used to promote a Pure AWD however axed it from the 2024 lineup for simplicity’s sake. Why the value drop? It was possible to assist juice demand throughout a time when Lucid was struggling to develop gross sales.
The remainder of the lineup is as follows:
What’s Nice About The Air Pure On Paper
Lucid made a splash in 2021 when its very first automotive, the Air Dream Version, debuted with a 520-mile vary that put the complete U.S. EV market to disgrace. In the present day, the 2024 Air Grand Touring delivers a still-untouchable 516 miles on a full tank of electrons, in accordance with the EPA. The Pure can cowl 419 miles on a single cost, greater than any rival. That features the stalwart Tesla Mannequin S and the Mercedes-Benz EQS. What’s extra, the Pure makes use of an 88-kilowatt-hour battery pack that’s considerably smaller than what you’d discover in both of these vehicles.
Power effectivity is Lucid’s factor. The Grand Touring’s 118-kWh pack supplies effectively over 100 miles extra EPA vary than the Mannequin S’ barely smaller battery.
The Pure costs at a most fee of 210 kilowatts when plugged right into a sufficiently highly effective fast-charging station. Once more, that falls wanting Lucid’s different vehicles however nonetheless beats out a lot of the market. The Touring and Grand Touring max out at 250 and 300 kW, respectively, to allow them to cost a bit quicker.
If kilowatts imply nothing to you, simply know Lucid says the Pure can add 200 miles of vary in 17 minutes, which is superb.
I didn’t get to push the Pure’s vary or charging functionality to the restrict throughout my hour with the automotive. We’ll make sure you carry you a extra in-depth overview of its vary and charging speeds as soon as we get extra seat time.
![2024 Lucid Air Pure](https://cdn.motor1.com/images/static/16x9-tr.png)
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Inside The Air Pure
The Pure’s streamlined silhouette and distinctive proportions imply it exudes a futuristic vibe, similar to all Airs do. Its inside lacks a few of the higher-end finishes of pricier trims however retains the identical funky, fashionable aesthetic. My check automotive got here with the usual mixture of fake leather-based and gray-fabric accents, which wasn’t as luxurious as some Airs can get however nonetheless felt premium.
What’s nice is the Air’s cabin feels distinctly nontraditional with out veering into the stark minimalism of a Tesla. The view from the driving force’s seat is uncluttered, refined and screen-heavy, however not fully stripped down. A crescent-shaped sliver of a display elegantly suspended behind the steering wheel tells you every thing you’ll want to know at a look, supplies some primary controls and appears fashionable whereas doing it.
A bigger pill by the driving force’s proper knee permits you to delve deeper into drive modes and different settings. All advised, enjoying round with the Air’s responsive and thoughtfully designed infotainment system feels nearly as easy and intuitive as utilizing a tech product, which is a win in my guide. Nevertheless it’s not excellent.
Though it’s a neat thought, placing the primary pill down low makes it inconvenient to make use of whereas driving. Flipping in your heated seats or switching drive modes can require glancing unnervingly removed from the street forward. It’s also possible to solely sort in a vacation spot on the decrease display and never on the higher show. Lucid seems to have taken be aware and has bumped the pill upward considerably in its upcoming Gravity SUV.
All Airs have generously sized trunks and frunks. However the Pure and Touring supply extra inside area total than the Grand Touring or Sapphire because of their smaller battery packs. Lucid raised the ground within the again seats of these pricier fashions to accommodate their beefier batteries. Taller passengers want to sit down in nearly a squat, with their knees surprisingly excessive up. Within the Pure and Touring, however, Lucid was capable of scoop out the ground to create extra foot room. This will likely sound insignificant, nevertheless it makes a giant distinction for consolation.
In the event you really need luxuries like soft-close doorways, ventilated seats or genuine-leather upholstery, these are all obtainable add-ons on the Pure. Nevertheless, to get Lucid’s putting glass roof (with a windshield that sweeps over the driving force’s head) you’ll have to improve to the Touring or larger. Personally, I desire the metallic roof because it retains the cabin cooler on sunny days.
On The Transfer: The Air Pure vs The Relaxation
The Air Pure easily glides over tough pavement and soaks up bumps properly. It delivers the swift, easy acceleration electrical vehicles are recognized for, however not the face-melting uncooked energy of higher-end Airs. You possibly can dial up the quickness by switching between the Air’s three drive modes: Clean, Swift and Dash.
Regardless of its (relative) lack of oomph, it’s enjoyable to whip round twisty roads. Its steering is pretty exact and conjures up confidence. And it handles its measurement effectively round corners, with out an excessive amount of physique roll. Lucid nailed the fragile stability of creating a automotive that’s snug while you need it to be—and agile while you want it to be.
Due to a second motor up entrance that considerably boosts energy and torque, the Touring seems like an enormous step up when it comes to efficiency. That’s to say nothing of the Grand Touring and Sapphire, that are simply outrageously, stupidly fast. However, frankly, all these vehicles are complete overkill for on a regular basis driving. The Pure has loads of energy that will help you go vans on the freeway, make tight merges or boost a morning commute.
The Verdict:
I used to be blown away after I first drove a Lucid Air final yr. I beloved its efficiency, fashion, vary and blistering charging speeds—however its stratospheric worth made it unimaginable to significantly advocate it to anybody. The Grand Touring Efficiency Lucid loaned me got here with a sticker worth of roughly $180,000.
It’s powerful to say whether or not a automobile like that may be a nice worth. However the Air Pure actually is. It’s enjoyable, attention-grabbing and technologically forward of the competitors whereas undercutting rivals from Tesla, BMW, Mercedes and Porsche on worth. That’s as nice for customers as it’s for Lucid itself.
The startup is on a treacherous path to profitability that can largely be pushed by its future fashions: the Gravity SUV and a to-be-announced smaller automobile. Till these saviors arrive, it must generate as a lot money as potential from the Air. The Pure hits a candy spot within the EV market that ought to make that powerful job just a bit bit simpler.
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2024 Lucid Air Pure Specs
Base Value $71,400
Output 430 hp
Pace 0-60 MPH 4.5 sec
Battery 88 kWh
Drive Kind Single-Motor RWD
EV Vary 419 miles (EPA, on 19-inch wheels)