2024 Lucid Air Sedan

　　2024 Lucid Air Review

　　byzzdcarzzdcar

　　The zzdcar content team brings you industry-leading vehicle reviews, news and research tips that make it easier for you to find your perfect car.

　　3/30/2023

　　What is the Air?

　　The Air is the first vehicle from EV newcomer Lucid Motors. It's a luxury super sedan similar to the Tesla Model S — an apt comparison since Lucid Motors CEO Peter Rawlinson was the chief engineer for the Model S way back in the day.

　　Like its Tesla rival, the Air puts out some eye-popping figures. It boasts more driving range than any other EV on the market, and in a straight line, it's one of the quickest cars in the world. In fact, the tri-motor Sapphire version due out later in the 2023 model year is expected to develop at least 1,200 horsepower and rocket from zero to 60 mph in less than 2 seconds. At the same time, Lucid continues to produce more affordable versions so more buyers can get in on the action. With the Air range primarily expanding to include more models, we don't anticipate major changes to the underlying vehicle for 2024.

　　That's somewhat of a shame, as the Air comes tantalizingly close to being one of the top picks in the luxury EV sedan class. You see, while Lucid dukes it out with Tesla for the performance crown, rival automakers wipe the floor with both in the luxury department. The Mercedes-Benz EQS and BMW i7, for instance, both offer beautiful cabins with high-quality veneers, leathers and switchgear, and the interior fit and finish is uncompromising. The Air, in contrast, feels a little downmarket. Those other vehicles also have intuitive infotainment systems, while the Air's, though improving, is a little difficult to navigate. We've also experienced a number of teething problems on the Lucid Air Grand Touring that we purchased for our long-term test fleet.

　　Is the Air perfect? No, but there's undoubtedly a lot to like about this super EV. And if outright speed is the only thing you're after, accelerating quicker than a Formula 1 race car in a five-seat family sedan is, ironically, quite a gas.

　　

Am I Ready for an EV?

EV ownership works best if you can charge (240V) at home or at work This typically means a 240V home installation, but you could also have a similar setup at your office or other places your car is already parked for several hours each day. Don't expect a regular household outlet (120V) to suffice unless you've got a plug-in hybrid, in which case overnight charging at home is feasible.

　　If you can’t charge at home, charging at a charging station could take at least 10x longer than at a gas station With public charging infrastructure still in its infancy, the user experience can be maddeningly inconsistent. Tesla owners tend to rave about the reliability and speed of the company's proprietary Supercharger stations, but rival DC fast options have thus far been plagued by technical issues and overcrowding. It's an evolving landscape and our best advice is to do your research on the available options for the EV you want to buy.

　　Adding a 240V home charging system could cost up to $1,600 or more If your existing electrical service can handle the additional demands of EV charging, you may be able to add Level 2 charging at home for less than a grand, including installation. But your costs will multiply if you need to upgrade your electrical panel or add a dedicated circuit.

　　Learn more about EV charging

　　zzdcar says

　　While it doesn't always quite fully deliver on the luxury aspect, the Lucid Air brings a whole lot of heat when you mash the accelerator to the floor.