Lucid Air Grand Touring: A Bold Reimagining of Electric Luxury
As a seasoned automotive journalist with a decade of experience navigating the ever-evolving landscape of vehicle technology and design, I’ve witnessed firsthand the seismic shifts brought about by electrification. The automotive industry, once a bastion of tradition, is now a crucible of innovation, and within this dynamic environment, Lucid Motors has emerged as a compelling disruptor. Having recently spent considerable time with the Lucid Air Grand Touring, I can attest that this is not merely another electric sedan; it is a meticulously crafted statement of intent, a vehicle that challenges established norms and redefines what we expect from a high-performance luxury automobile.
The automotive industry is currently abuzz with conversations around electric luxury sedans, long-range EVs, and the future of premium electric vehicles. The Lucid Air Grand Touring review I’m sharing today delves into the nuances of this remarkable machine, exploring its capabilities beyond the headline-grabbing specifications. For those seeking the pinnacle of electric vehicle performance, EV range that rivals gasoline counterparts, and an unparalleled luxury car experience, the Lucid Air Grand Touring presents a compelling, and frankly, revolutionary proposition.
Lucid Air Grand Touring: A Fresh Perspective on Luxury and Performance
Founded in 2007, Lucid Motors, though young by automotive standards, possesses a distinct advantage: it lacks the ingrained legacy and potentially outdated methodologies that can sometimes hinder established manufacturers. This California-based automaker has approached the luxury sedan segment with a clean slate, a critical factor in a market increasingly characterized by homogeneity. While many competitors offer variations on a theme, the Lucid Air Grand Touring stands apart, offering a distinct driving experience and a unique approach to design and engineering.
My recent immersion in the Lucid Air Grand Touring, following extensive drives in the BMW i7 and Mercedes-AMG EQS, has provided a clear benchmark against which to evaluate this newcomer. After several hundred miles, the verdict is unequivocal: the Grand Touring is a genuinely unique full-size luxury sedan and an 819 horsepower electric vehicle boasting an astonishing EPA-estimated range of up to 516 miles.
To focus solely on its powertrain would be to overlook the fundamental brilliance of its chassis and design. Imagine a vehicle that rivals the serene comfort of a Mercedes-Benz S-Class, possesses the agile handling of a BMW M5, and accelerates with the ferocity of a Ferrari 458 Italia. This is the essence of the Lucid Air Grand Touring. And remarkably, this isn’t even the marque’s most potent iteration. Like any pioneering product, it is not without its imperfections, but its strengths far outweigh its nascent developmental quirks.
Lucid Air Grand Touring Quick Specifications:
Power Output: 819 Horsepower / 885 Pound-Feet of Torque
0-60 MPH Acceleration: 3.0 Seconds
Range: Up to 516 Miles (with 19-inch wheels) / 469 Miles (with 21-inch wheels)
Base Price: $139,650
As-Tested Price: $155,650
Maximized Interior Space in a Nimble Footprint: The Art of Packaging
The exterior of the Lucid Air Grand Touring defies conventional categorization. Its dimensions – 195.9 inches long, 76.2 inches wide, and 55.4 inches tall, with a 116.5-inch wheelbase – place it in the same physical class as the mid-size Mercedes-Benz EQE. Yet, through ingenious engineering and advanced packaging, the Air delivers passenger and cargo volumes rivaling larger, full-size electric sedans like the EQS. This remarkable feat is largely attributable to Lucid’s miniaturized electric motors. The twin permanent magnet synchronous electric motors, one powering each axle, are astonishingly compact, easily fitting within the confines of a carry-on suitcase.
This architectural efficiency liberates significant interior volume for occupants and their belongings. While the trunk capacity of 22.1 cubic feet is comparable to the EQS, the Air distinguishes itself with a substantial front trunk, or “frunk,” adding an additional 10 cubic feet. This brings the total cargo space to an impressive 32.1 cubic feet, a figure that eclipses both the EQS and the BMW i7, neither of which offer a frunk. The disparity is striking: the BMW i7, a full 16.3 inches longer and 5.4 inches taller than the Air, provides comparable cabin space but a smaller trunk. This highlights the critical importance of intelligent packaging in the electric vehicle design paradigm, especially when accommodating substantial battery packs.
Beyond the numbers, the Lucid Air’s styling is a masterclass in understated elegance. It eschews ostentatious displays for a sophisticated presence that naturally commands attention. The vehicle’s design prioritizes the passenger compartment, characterized by remarkably short front and rear overhangs. This emphasis on the central wheelbase, coupled with the low-mounted battery pack, achieves a perfect 50/50 weight distribution, contributing to its dynamic prowess and stability.
The Air’s aesthetic is undeniably sleek. Retracting door handles seamlessly blend into the bodywork, and the innovative clamshell design for the front and rear storage compartments minimizes visible shut lines. The lighting elements, both front and rear, are elegantly integrated, featuring a signature wide light bar that lends a distinctive visual identity. Its low and wide stance provides an undeniable presence without resorting to aggressive or shouty styling cues.
However, perhaps the most striking design element of the Grand Touring is its expansive glasshouse. The panoramic windows flood the cabin with natural light, enhancing the sense of spaciousness and offering exceptional outward visibility. This not only contributes to an airy ambiance but also amplifies the perception of interior volume.
An Electrifying Driving Experience: Agile, Responsive, and Exhilarating
A pervasive concern surrounding electric vehicles is their perceived lack of driving engagement compared to their internal combustion engine counterparts. I firmly believe this apprehension is largely unfounded, particularly with vehicles like the Lucid Air Grand Touring. In an era where many high-performance gasoline sedans rely heavily on turbocharging, automatic transmissions, and significant weight, the auditory experience often becomes the primary differentiator. Given the extensive sound deadening employed in modern vehicles, the transition to an utterly silent electric drive is far less jarring than one might anticipate. Moreover, the Lucid Air GT is anything but bland behind the wheel.
The Grand Touring model, while not the absolute pinnacle of power, delivers a formidable 819 horsepower and 885 pound-feet of torque. For context, the higher-performance variant offers a staggering 1050 horsepower, with the even more potent Sapphire model on the horizon. For most drivers, the Grand Touring’s power is more than sufficient, enabling a 0-60 mph sprint in approximately three seconds and providing ample acceleration for any road condition. The standard all-wheel-drive system, powered by the dual electric motors, ensures optimal traction and responsiveness.
It is important to acknowledge the substantial 112.0-kilowatt-hour battery pack, which contributes to the vehicle’s curb weight of 5,203 pounds. However, Lucid has masterfully engineered the Air to mask this mass. While offering three distinct drive modes – Smooth, Swift, and Sprint – the vehicle eschews a complex adaptive air suspension system. Instead, it utilizes a finely tuned setup of steel springs and active dampers, which strike an exquisite balance between spirited on-road dynamics and everyday comfort.
While acknowledging its status as a luxury sedan, its comportment on a winding road is nothing short of astonishing. Few vehicles in this segment successfully bridge the gap between opulent comfort and athletic agility, but the Grand Touring excels. It remains remarkably flat and composed through corners, exhibiting tenacious grip. This capability is partly due to its brake-based torque vectoring system, which effectively manages power distribution to each wheel. The substantial curb weight seems to dissipate as the Air accelerates out of turns with minimal understeer, drawing parallels to the renowned handling of an electric Nissan GT-R. The steering response is precise, allowing the car to follow driver inputs with remarkable fidelity.
Despite the exhilarating G-forces experienced during acceleration and cornering, the electric power steering system could benefit from more tactile feedback. The driver might perceive the front tires losing grip before feeling it through the steering wheel. However, the hydraulic braking system offers a more communicative connection, delivering substantial information through the brake pedal. The Grand Touring is equipped with robust six-piston front calipers gripping 15-inch steel rotors, complemented by four-piston calipers and 14.8-inch discs at the rear. While capable, these brakes represent a potential area for enhancement, particularly given the vehicle’s considerable mass and rapid acceleration capabilities.
To augment its braking performance, the Lucid Air incorporates an always-on regenerative braking system. It offers two modes: Standard and High, with no option to disengage it entirely. This means that lifting off the accelerator initiates a degree of deceleration, regardless of the selected drive mode. While the absence of a full “off” setting might require a brief acclimatization period, I found myself accustomed to it within a day. On spirited drives, the additional deceleration provided by the regenerative system is a welcome aid.
In urban driving, I predominantly utilized the High regenerative braking setting, minimizing reliance on the physical brakes. The system’s calibration is exceptionally smooth and intuitive, allowing for precise modulation. The minimal learning curve ensures that even casual stops are executed without abrupt jolts, relying solely on accelerator pedal input.
Innovative Luxury and a Human-Centric Interior
Stepping inside the Lucid Air Grand Touring, one is immediately struck by the absence of any hint that this is the product of a relatively young company. Every surface, every tactile interaction, exudes a sense of meticulous craftsmanship and premium quality. There are no discernable rattles or manufacturing imperfections; the cabin consistently delivers the refined experience one expects from a vehicle commanding a price tag north of $150,000. At highway speeds, the interior remains remarkably silent, contributing to an exceptionally tranquil driving environment. Furthermore, the cabin’s layout is refreshingly unique.
My tester featured the two-tone Tahoe interior, a sophisticated combination of dark blue leather in the front and tan upholstery in the rear, accented with tan stitching and floor mats. While this palette might sound unconventional on paper, its execution in reality is superb, underscoring Lucid’s willingness to think outside the traditional luxury box. In a segment often populated by predictable black or brown interiors, Lucid’s bold chromatic choices inject a welcome sense of individuality.
However, the seats themselves, while comfortable, do not quite reach the benchmark set by the ultra-plush accommodations of the BMW i7. While perhaps not as sumptuously soft for leisurely cruising, they offer exceptional lateral bolstering, providing a more supportive and sporty feel than traditional luxury sedan seating.
A notable departure from conventional automotive design within the Air’s cabin is the complete absence of physical buttons. All functions are managed through a combination of touchscreens. While this approach conserves space, it was the one aspect of the Grand Touring that presented a slight learning curve. The lack of physical feedback, whether haptic or audible, makes it challenging to confirm selections without looking. This becomes particularly apparent when performing functions like opening the charge port, requiring a glance at the screen to ensure the correct input has been registered.
The infotainment system itself is exceptionally well-executed and remarkably intuitive to navigate. I particularly appreciated the seamless ability to swipe maps or audio controls between the expansive 34-inch curved main display and the vertical folding screen located in the center console. However, the current omission of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity is a significant oversight, especially considering their widespread adoption as industry standards. While these features are anticipated in future updates, their current absence is a notable drawback.
During my tenure with the Grand Touring, I encountered a couple of minor technological glitches. The parking sensors proved overly sensitive at times, triggering alerts even when no obstacles were present. Additionally, the trunk indicated it was opening while I was navigating highway speeds. Fortunately, this proved to be a false alert, but it necessitated a brief stop in the emergency lane. Such minor issues are not uncommon in first-generation products, but they are nevertheless worth noting.
Exceptional Range and Advanced Battery Technology
The Lucid Air Grand Touring is equipped with a substantial 112.0 kWh battery pack, powered by a cutting-edge 900-volt electrical architecture. This advanced system enables charging speeds of up to 300 kilowatts, facilitating the impressive EPA-estimated range of 516 miles when fitted with 19-inch wheels. Opting for the larger 21-inch wheels, as found on my test vehicle, reduces this figure slightly to 469 miles. Regardless of wheel size, the Grand Touring’s range is more than sufficient for virtually any driving scenario, effectively eliminating range anxiety and bringing it on par with traditional gasoline-powered vehicles. While charging times may not match the speed of a gasoline refill, the sheer capacity of the battery pack ensures peace of mind for even the longest journeys.
Pricing and Value Proposition
The 2023 Lucid Air Grand Touring carries a base price of $139,650, including a $1,650 destination charge. My extensively optioned test vehicle, featuring the 21-inch Aero Blade wheels ($2,000), the DreamDrive Pro driver-assist system ($10,000), and the Surreal Sound Pro audio system ($4,000), brought the total to $155,650. For comparative context, the BMW i7 I reviewed recently was priced at $151,995, while the Mercedes-AMG EQS I sampled earlier in the year commanded a price of $165,020.
It is crucial to note that both the BMW i7 and the AMG EQS offer less power, shorter ranges, smaller cabin dimensions, and reduced cargo capacity compared to the Lucid Air Grand Touring. While its pricing places it within the competitive set of its closest rivals, the Lucid Air Grand Touring presents a significantly stronger value proposition, offering superior performance, range, and practicality at a comparable price point.
Concluding Thoughts: A New Benchmark for Electric Luxury
The Lucid Air Grand Touring stands as a testament to the power of a fresh perspective in automotive design and engineering. Its driving dynamics on a winding road surpass those of its German rivals, delivering an engaging and athletic experience while maintaining comparable levels of comfort on urban streets. With an unprecedented range of up to 516 miles, the Grand Touring effectively eradicates range anxiety, a significant milestone for long-range electric vehicles. While the 819 horsepower is undoubtedly prodigious, it offers more than enough performance for the vast majority of drivers, rendering the even more powerful variants perhaps unnecessary for anything beyond bragging rights.
Despite its remarkable achievements, the Lucid Air Grand Touring is not without its minor flaws. The current lack of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity is a noticeable omission, given their widespread popularity and status as industry standards. Furthermore, my test vehicle, having likely endured extensive press mileage, exhibited a few minor software glitches.
However, I find myself readily willing to overlook these first-generation foibles because of the sheer excellence of the overall package. Lucid Motors, though a relatively new entrant, has produced a vehicle that possesses the power to fundamentally disrupt a segment that, in many respects, had become complacent. The Lucid Air Grand Touring is not just a new competitor; it is a new benchmark, and discerning buyers are the ultimate beneficiaries of this bold innovation.
If you are considering the transition to electric luxury vehicles and demand a driving experience that blends exhilarating performance with unparalleled comfort and an industry-leading EV range, I strongly encourage you to experience the Lucid Air Grand Touring firsthand. Discover for yourself how Lucid Motors is not just participating in the future of automotive transportation, but actively shaping it.
