2022 Lucid Air

The 2022 Lucid Air is the next big step forward in the EV evolution. The Tesla Model S carried the torch for an entire decade, but it now has to hand it over to a car designed by the same man. Lucid's CEO was the main engineer behind the Model S, which makes the Air a spiritual successor of sorts. Since Tesla doesn't seem to be bothered to replace the Model S, Lucid came along and did it for Musk & Co.

But what makes this car so special? In short, it's the perfect blend of old and new. The team behind Lucid got rid of everything the car as an entity no longer needs while retaining and improving on everything we love about it. Despite being a technological marvel with semi-autonomous functionality, rapid charging, a 500+ mile driving range, and a 1,111-horsepower halo model capable of doing 0-60 in 2.5 seconds, it's also genuinely luxurious. While the Mercedes EQS Sedan is essentially a massive touchscreen with five seats, the Air is the perfect blend of luxury and sophistication ready to stand the test of time. And despite all of that, it's also fun to drive. The Tesla is faster, the Mercedes more well-known, and the BMW i7 more obnoxiously styled. But the Lucid Air does it all. In one package. The future is here.

For a 5,000 lbs sedan, the Air is surprisingly nimble. Part of that is down to the center of gravity, which is extremely low due to the battery placement.

We also get the impression that Lucid spent many manhours refining the driving experience, and it ended up with a car that actually feels quite old-school. The steering is quick, and it doesn't feel artificial. Unlike every other EV, the Lucid's brake pedal is not connected to the regenerative braking system. That's a completely separate system that functions in the background. As a result, the brake pedal also provides real feel instead of some software engineer's idea of what a brake pedal should feel like.

Most surprising of all is the traditional coil springs. Lucid decided against the segment standard air springs. This isn't a criticism, though, as the Air doesn't feel overly sprung or bouncy in any way. It rides with compliance and connection in equal measure and is capable of being both comfortable and dynamically talented. It also keeps the driving modes remarkably simple. You get Smooth, Swift, and Sprint.

Sprint will only be used on the odd occasion you want to showcase the ferocious acceleration. You'll occasionally use Swift when feeling a bit naughty, but most of the time, the car will be in Smooth. This driving mode delivers exactly what it promises, which is a remarkably polished ride for a car on a traditional steel suspension. In Swift mode, the car feels comically fast, but even with so much power, the Air is predictable. You quickly settle into a rhythm, knowing exactly how the car is going to respond if you reach the limit. One more bonus point for having a standard suspension setup instead of multiple ride heights and springs that constantly adapt to the driving conditions.

The only criticism is noticeable wind and road noise, but this is something we've noticed on other EVs before. With no engine noise to disguise other annoying sounds, EVs have nowhere to hide when it comes to sound insulation. It doesn't spoil the experience, but something Lucid needs to keep in mind when working on a future facelift.