by Gerhard Horn
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.
The Air was all-new for 2021 after a development process that took nearly a full decade. So it's understandable that for 2022, not much has changed. With the Dream Edition on the verge of being done and dusted (it was only available in limited numbers), Lucid has launched a follow-up trim called the Grand Touring Performance. Replete with 1,050 hp, 446 miles of range, and all-wheel drive, it's a new range-topper for those who couldn't get the 1-of-250 Dream Edition they wanted.
See trim levels and configurations:
Trim | Engine | Transmission | Drivetrain | Price (MSRP) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Air Pure |
Electric
|
Single Speed Automatic
|
Rear-Wheel Drive
All-Wheel Drive
|
$77,400 |
Air Touring |
Electric
|
Single Speed Automatic
|
All-Wheel Drive
|
$95,000 |
Air Grand Touring |
Electric
|
Single Speed Automatic
|
All-Wheel Drive
|
$139,000 |
Air Dream Edition |
Electric
|
Single Speed Automatic
|
All-Wheel Drive
|
$169,000 |
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.
To put this bluntly: Yes. It might be the most important car in a decade.
The Tesla Model S sucker-punched the automotive industry in the gut. Until it came along, legacy manufacturers felt content and safe, knowing EVs couldn't possibly compete with their products. Tesla forced the automotive industry to innovate, but the world's most successful EV manufacturer has stagnated in the decade since. Every once in a while, it will upload some new feature like a farting sound, but that's not innovation. These are just little amusements to keep Tesla fanboys happy.
It's no secret that the man behind the Model S is also behind the Lucid Air. Instead of stagnating with his original employers, he decided not just to improve on a winning recipe but rethink the car as an entity. Thanks to hundreds of large and small creative solutions, Lucid has ended up with a vehicle that sets the new standard. This combines S-Class luxury with Model S innovation. Think the Mercedes EQS Sedan is the S-Class of EVs? Think again. This is.
If ever there was a car to convince the last few naysayers to convert to electricity, this is it.
The Lucid Air was designed by the same man responsible for bringing the Tesla Model S to market, and it shows.
The Air takes everything that makes the Model S such a great product and builds on it. While a model S Plaid may be the fastest thing of four wheels, the Air is better in every other department and not far behind in a straight line either.
The main difference between these two cars is quality control. We keep hearing horror stories about Tesla's poor build quality, while the Air is a masterpiece. The Air is also more spacious and feels like a genuine S-Class rival while the Model S is now Mercedes money for nothing but tech and performance.
We said before that the Model S is the new S-Class because it keeps moving the goalpost like the S-Class used to do. The Lucid Air now takes over that title. Not only is it the most innovative and modern car you can buy, but it's also wonderfully plush.
The Taycan Turbo is a direct rival as far as price goes, but it will likely appeal to a different kind of buyer.
The Lucid is a big luxury sedan, while the Taycan is more petite. Still, Lucid used the BMW E39 M5 as a benchmark for handling, so it does have some sporty aspirations. It shows, but the Porsche remains more agile. There are a few big differences though. The two cars are similarly priced to start, but the Lucid provides more range than the base Taycan's meager 282 miles at 406 miles. The differences become more vast as you climb the trim ladder, as the Porsche reaches a starting price of $187,400 for the Turbo S with only 278 miles of range and 750 hp. It might match the Lucid Air Dream Edition to 60 mph, but then you still have to pay for extras, many of which are standard on the Air. The Air is more spacious, has a bigger trunk, and still drives well, all at a 'discount' price. You'll prefer the Taycan if you want a car that feels more like a sports car, but for any other type of buyer, the Lucid crushes this comparison.
The most popular competitors of 2022 Lucid Air: