Lucid Air Grand Touring: A Bold New Era in Luxury Electric Sedans
For a decade, I’ve navigated the ever-evolving landscape of the automotive industry, witnessing firsthand the seismic shifts brought about by electrification. Having spent the last ten years immersed in everything from performance tuning to the nuanced intricacies of luxury vehicle design, I’ve seen established brands grapple with reinvention and new players emerge with audacious visions. It’s within this context that the Lucid Air Grand Touring presents itself not merely as a new car, but as a compelling statement about the future of automotive luxury and performance. My recent deep dive into this remarkable machine confirms my long-held belief: innovation thrives when unburdened by legacy.
Lucid Motors, though a relatively young entity founded in 2007 with its first vehicle entering development in 2014, has achieved something remarkable. In a segment often defined by decades of tradition, the California-based automaker has managed to sidestep the inertia that can plague established manufacturers. This is not to say experience is without value, but rather that a fresh perspective, unencumbered by outdated methodologies, can unlock entirely new possibilities. The full-size luxury sedan segment, in particular, has felt a touch too predictable in recent years. Many contenders, while competent, offer a familiar blend of features and driving dynamics. The Lucid Air Grand Touring, however, shatters this mold.
My experience with the Air Grand Touring marks my first encounter with a Lucid vehicle. However, having recently driven the benchmarks set by the BMW i7 and Mercedes-AMG EQS, I possess a clear understanding of how the titans of the industry approach this electrified frontier. After several hundred miles behind the wheel, it’s unequivocally clear that the Grand Touring is, first and foremost, a genuinely unique full-size luxury sedan. But that’s only part of the story. It’s also an electric vehicle (EV) capable of an astonishing 819 horsepower, with an advertised range of up to 516 miles. This isn’t just another EV; it’s a paradigm shift.
Strip away the advanced powertrain, and you’re left with a vehicle that stands as a formidable rival to the likes of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Now, layer in its surprising agility, rivaling the driving dynamics of a BMW M5, and its blistering acceleration, reminiscent of a Ferrari 458 Italia, and you have something truly extraordinary. And it’s crucial to remember, this is not even the most potent iteration of the Grand Touring model. Like any groundbreaking first-generation product, it’s not without its imperfections, but these are minor quibbles in the face of its overwhelming strengths.
A Masterclass in Packaging: Full-Size Presence, Mid-Size Footprint
The Lucid Air Grand Touring’s aesthetic is undeniably distinctive, a direct consequence of its innovative construction and ingenious packaging. Measuring 195.9 inches in length, 76.2 inches in width, and 55.4 inches in height, with a wheelbase of 116.5 inches, the Grand Touring is dimensionally akin to the Mercedes-Benz EQE – the German marque’s mid-size electrified offering. Astonishingly, despite its more compact exterior, the Air delivers passenger and cargo capacities that rival or even surpass those of full-size behemoths like the EQS. This remarkable feat is largely attributable to its exceptionally compact electric motors. The Grand Touring employs just two of these miniaturized power units, one per axle, each small enough to fit within a carry-on suitcase.
The compact nature of its powertrain components liberates a significant amount of interior space for occupants and storage. While the Air’s trunk volume of 22.1 cubic feet is comparable to the EQS, it’s augmented by a remarkably capacious front trunk, or “frunk,” adding an additional 10 cubic feet, bringing the total to a class-leading 32.1 cubic feet. In stark contrast, both the EQS and the BMW i7 offer no frunk at all. Consider the i7: it’s a staggering 16.3 inches longer and 5.4 inches taller than the Air, yet offers comparable interior headroom, legroom, and shoulder room, while boasting a smaller rear trunk. This underscores the critical importance of intelligent packaging in EV design, especially given the necessity of housing substantial battery packs.
Beyond the numbers, Lucid Air’s design language resonates deeply. It avoids ostentatious displays, yet commands attention wherever it travels. The vehicle emphasizes a long passenger compartment, situated between the wheels, with relatively short front and rear overhangs. By concentrating its mass inboard, the Grand Touring achieves a near-perfect 50/50 weight distribution. Coupled with the low-mounted battery pack, this results in an exceptionally planted and dynamic driving feel.
Above all, the Air exudes an aura of sleek sophistication. Its flush door handles retract seamlessly into the bodywork, and the clamshell design of both the front and rear storage compartments minimizes shut lines, contributing to an uninterrupted exterior form. The front and rear lighting elements are elegantly understated, characterized by a wide lightbar that serves as a signature visual cue. Combined with its low and wide stance, the Lucid possesses an undeniable presence without resorting to aggressive styling.
Perhaps the most striking design element of the Grand Touring is its expansive glasshouse. These generous windows flood the cabin with natural light, enhancing the sense of spaciousness and providing exceptional outward visibility. This abundance of glass not only contributes to an airy ambiance but also makes the Air’s interior feel even more expansive than its dimensions might suggest.
An Electrifying Driving Experience: Agile, Responsive, and Purely Engaging
A pervasive apprehension surrounding electric vehicles is the perceived loss of driving engagement compared to their internal combustion engine (ICE) counterparts. I firmly believe this concern is largely misplaced. Today’s high-performance sedans, whether ICE or electric, often rely on heavy turbocharging, exclusively use automatic transmissions, and carry significant weight, even before factoring in battery packs. Consequently, the primary differentiating factor in driving engagement for many has become the engine sound – a component often amplified through the audio system due to extensive sound deadening. The transition to an entirely silent driving experience, therefore, is not as jarring a leap as one might imagine. Moreover, the Lucid Air Grand Touring is anything but a dull driving proposition.
This particular Grand Touring model, while not the top-tier Performance variant, still delivers a formidable 819 horsepower and 885 pound-feet of torque. For context, its more potent sibling boasts an astounding 1050 horsepower and 921 pound-feet of torque, with the even more extreme Sapphire model on the horizon. Yet, for my part, I found the standard Grand Touring to be more than adequate. It still accelerates to 60 mph in approximately three seconds and offers more power than one could ever reasonably utilize on public roads or even a spirited track day. The dual permanent magnet electric motors that power the Grand Touring also provide the benefit of standard all-wheel drive.
It’s important to acknowledge that the Grand Touring carries a substantial 112.0-kilowatt-hour battery pack, contributing to its curb weight of 5,203 pounds. Despite this considerable mass, the Air remarkably disguises its heft. While the vehicle offers three distinct drive modes – Smooth, Swift, and Sprint – it eschews a complex air suspension system. Instead, it relies on steel springs and active dampers, which, thanks to meticulous tuning, provide an exhilarating experience on winding roads while maintaining impressive comfort during urban commutes.
While this is undoubtedly a luxury sedan, its handling prowess on a twisty road is nothing short of astonishing. Many vehicles in this segment attempt to strike a balance between luxury and sportiness, but few achieve it with the same aplomb as the Grand Touring. When pushed into a corner at speed, it remains commendably flat and composed, exhibiting exceptional grip. This remarkable composure is partly attributed to its brake-based torque vectoring system. The vehicle’s substantial curb weight seems to dissipate as the Air deploys its power, exhibiting a near absence of understeer. It drives with a precision and responsiveness that evokes the feeling of an electric Nissan GT-R; you simply point it where you want to go, and it follows without hesitation.
Despite the exhilarating g-forces generated during its rapid acceleration and cornering, the electric power steering system, while precise, offers limited tactile feedback. You’re more likely to hear the front tires begin to lose adhesion before you feel it through the wheel. However, the braking system is hydraulically actuated, providing valuable information through the pedal. Like the Performance model, the standard Grand Touring is equipped with six-piston calipers up front gripping 15-inch steel rotors, and four-piston calipers at the rear clamping down on 14.8-inch discs. These brakes, while communicative, represent perhaps the most notable area for potential improvement. For a 5,203-pound sedan capable of such rapid acceleration and cornering, they could benefit from a more aggressive initial bite.
To assist its braking system, the Lucid Air employs an always-on regenerative braking system. It offers two selectable modes: Standard and High, with no option to fully disable it. This means that regardless of the chosen drive mode, you will begin to decelerate the moment you lift your foot off the accelerator. While the lack of a completely disengaged regenerative braking setting might seem restrictive, I found myself adapting to it within a day. And during spirited driving on challenging roads, the added deceleration force is a welcome benefit.
Around town, I predominantly utilized the High regenerative braking setting, which significantly reduced the need to utilize the physical brakes. The system’s calibration is exceptionally smooth and intuitive, making it easy to modulate. Its low learning curve ensures that everyday stops are seamless, without the jarring transitions one might expect from less refined systems, allowing for precise control using only the accelerator pedal.
Innovative Luxury Redefined: A Cabin of Uncompromising Quality and Forward-Thinking Design
Stepping inside the Lucid Air Grand Touring, it’s immediately apparent that this is not the tentative first effort of a fledgling company. Every surface, every touchpoint, and every interaction exudes a sense of premium quality and meticulous craftsmanship. There are no discernible rattles, creaks, or physical imperfections to report. The cabin ambiance is precisely what one would expect from a luxury sedan priced at over $155,000, all while maintaining an almost eerie level of quietude at highway speeds. However, its interior layout is refreshingly avant-garde.
My test vehicle featured the two-tone Tahoe interior option, a sophisticated blend of dark blue leather in the front complemented by tan seats in the rear. This scheme is artfully extended with tan accents adorning the seat stitching and floor coverings. While this combination might sound unconventional on paper, it translates into a remarkably elegant and inviting environment in reality, further demonstrating Lucid’s willingness to think outside the traditional luxury box. In a segment populated by vehicles often favoring predictable black or brown interiors, Lucid’s bold choice injects a much-needed dose of personality and flair.
That said, the seats themselves, while comfortable, don’t quite reach the sublime levels of plushness found in the BMW i7’s near-Rolls-Royce-like chairs. They are less overtly pillowy for leisurely cruising, but they compensate with superb lateral bolstering, offering a more sporting feel than traditional luxury sedan seating. They are not true bucket seats, but they certainly lean into a more dynamic aesthetic.
A defining characteristic of the Lucid Air Grand Touring’s interior is its complete absence of physical buttons. All vehicle functions are controlled via a combination of screens. While this approach effectively maximizes interior space, it was the one aspect of the Grand Touring’s execution that I struggled to fully embrace. The lack of tactile feedback, whether haptic or physical, makes it challenging to confirm input selections without directly observing the screen. Given that even basic functions like opening the charging port require touchscreen interaction, one finds themselves constantly glancing at either side of the steering wheel to ensure the correct command has been registered.
The infotainment system itself is exemplary, offering intuitive navigation and a visually appealing interface. I particularly appreciated the seamless ability to swipe maps or audio controls between the expansive 34-inch curved main display and the vertically oriented folding screen situated in the center console. However, the conspicuous absence of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity is a notable omission, especially given their widespread adoption and status as industry standards. While these features are reportedly slated for future over-the-air updates, their current unavailability is a drawback for many potential buyers.
On the technological front, I did encounter a couple of minor glitches during my tenure with the Grand Touring. The first involved an overly sensitive parking sensor that would emit an alert even when no obstacles were present. The second was a more concerning, albeit thankfully temporary, issue where the trunk indicator erroneously displayed as opening while I was navigating highway speeds. While such glitches are not entirely unexpected in first-generation products like the Air, they are still worth noting.
Battery, Range, and the Eradication of Range Anxiety
The Lucid Air Grand Touring is equipped with a substantial 112.0 kWh battery pack, supported by a cutting-edge 900-volt electrical architecture. This advanced system enables charging speeds of up to 300 kilowatts, facilitating an impressive range of up to 516 miles when fitted with 19-inch wheels. Opting for the larger 21-inch wheels, as found on my test vehicle, reduces this figure to 469 miles. Regardless of the wheel size, however, the Grand Touring offers more than sufficient range for virtually any driving scenario. It has now officially achieved parity with its gasoline-powered counterparts in terms of range, and while refueling an EV may not be as rapid as filling a gas tank, the sheer capacity of its battery pack effectively banishes range anxiety for good.
Pricing and Value Proposition: A New Standard for Luxury EVs
The 2023 Lucid Air Grand Touring carries a base price of $139,650, which includes a $1,650 destination charge. My comprehensively optioned test vehicle, featuring the 21-inch Aero Blade wheels ($2,000), the DreamDrive Pro driver-assistance suite ($10,000), and the Surreal Sound Pro audio system ($4,000), brought the total to $155,650. For comparative purposes, the similarly equipped BMW i7 I tested recently was priced at $151,995, while the Mercedes-AMG EQS I experienced earlier this year stickered for $165,020.
It’s crucial to highlight that both the BMW and the AMG offerings, at comparable price points, provide less horsepower, a shorter driving range, smaller interior cabins, and reduced cargo capacity. While the Lucid Air Grand Touring may be positioned similarly to its direct competitors in terms of price, its overall value proposition is significantly more compelling.
Concluding Thoughts: A Disruptor with a Bright Future
The Lucid Air Grand Touring stands as a powerful testament to the transformative potential of a fresh start. Its driving dynamics on a winding road surpass those of its German rivals, offering a more engaging and athletic experience while maintaining comparable levels of comfort on urban thoroughfares. Coupled with its exceptional range of up to 516 miles, the Grand Touring effectively eradicates range anxiety. It may sound peculiar to describe an 819-horsepower sedan as being “more than quick enough,” but that is precisely the case. Unless bragging rights are your sole motivation, I see little reason to opt for the more potent Performance model.
Despite its impressive achievements, the Lucid Air Grand Touring is not entirely without its shortcomings. The absence of Apple CarPlay or Android Auto is a genuine disappointment, particularly when these smartphone integration systems are not only preferred by a vast majority of owners but have become an established industry standard. Furthermore, my test vehicle, having likely endured extensive press mileage, exhibited a few minor technological glitches.
However, these first-generation quirks are, in my estimation, easily forgivable given the sheer strength of the overall package. Lucid Motors may still be a relatively young company, but its debut product is potent enough to profoundly disrupt a segment that, for too long, has appeared content to rest on its laurels. The ultimate beneficiaries of this innovation are, of course, the discerning buyers who now have access to a truly groundbreaking luxury electric sedan.
If you’re ready to experience the future of luxury electric mobility and discover how the Lucid Air Grand Touring can redefine your expectations, we encourage you to explore Lucid’s official website or contact your nearest Lucid Motors studio to schedule a personal demonstration.
