2023 Lucid Air Reviews, Pricing & Specs

While it’s true that people like SUVs, the Lucid Air supplies available all-wheel drive (AWD), roomy seating for five, and twice the cargo space of a typical sedan. So, maybe it deserves your consideration even if it’s not a rugged-looking sport-ute.

Like most EVs, the Air’s design helps it to slip cleanly through the atmosphere. According to Lucid, it boasts a remarkable 0.197 coefficient of drag, which contributes to its long driving range and quiet cabin. However, unlike some aerodynamic vehicles, the Lucid Air is distinctive instead of derivative, its clean but sculpted body capped by Intelligent Micro Lens Array headlights and a “speedform” full-width taillight.

Exterior illumination sequences and detailing add personality and visual interest, and the Air nameplate script recalls the jet age of the 1960s, rendered in a nostalgic but forward-looking and upscale design. Our test car’s optional Aero Lite wheels recall the handsome 5-arm rotor design from Audi, adding extra appeal.

In Canada, three Lucid Air models are offered: the Pure trim, the Touring trim, and the Grand Touring model. A Lucid Air Grand Touring Performance trim was previously offered. The Lucid Air Sapphire, an equipped-to-the-nines version, is open for reservations but cannot yet be ordered in Canada as of the time of publication. Prices for the first four trims range from $101,100 to $167,600. Then there is the Sapphire, which will cost $327,500.

Pure trim became available in 2023, making the Air’s base price more palatable. Our test vehicle had it, but it also had numerous options. They included the dual-motor AWD system, extra-cost Quantum Gray paint, and Aero Lite 20-inch wheels. The adaptive damping suspension and a Surreal Sound Pro high-end audio system are standard in Canada. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) as equipped is $112,500, including a $2,000 destination charge and other mandatory fees.

Midsize on the outside but full-size on the inside, the Lucid Air features an interior design inspired by the natural landscapes of California. Lucid even goes so far as to decorate the car’s cabin with small bear logos in homage to the automaker’s home state.

Lucid crafts the cabin with sustainably sourced wood and textiles, simulated suede, artificial PurLuxe upholstery, and available Nappa premium leather sourced from a carbon-neutral supplier. Our test car had PurLuxe covering the seats.

The attention to detail is excellent, and Lucid’s creative use of fabric on the dashboard, door panels, and centre console gives the interior a bespoke appearance with upscale textural contrast. The restrained use of wood and metallic accents conveys quietly conservative luxury, and the delightfully aromatic artificial leather is plush and soft.

Ironically, the Air’s simple plastic front and rear air vents look inexpensive, detracting from the otherwise refined, sophisticated, and luxurious interior.

Lucid builds the Air on a space-saving platform and electric-drive component set engineered to maximize interior room and passenger comfort without any loss in power or capability. Depending on which version of the car you select, you can get more than power specs of 1,200 horsepower from three electric motors, acceleration to 100 km/h in approximately two seconds, a longest range of up to 755 kilometres, and a charging time of 320 kilometres in 12 minutes.

Our Lucid Air Pure test car did not achieve any of these metrics. Nor is it the model expected to.

Equipped with the optional Dual Motor AWD powertrain, our test car supplied 480 hp, 618 kilometres of maximum range, 1.9 litres-equivalent or 17.3 kWh per 100 kilometres combined, and 200 kW of maximum recharging capacity to supply 320 kilometres of range in around 15 minutes. In addition, according to Lucid, our Pure Dual Motor AWD test car could accelerate to 100 km/h in 4.0 seconds.

Those acceleration, efficiency, and range numbers might not lead the Air lineup, but they handily beat the Audi E-tron GT, BMW i7 xDrive60, Mercedes-Benz EQS 580 4Matic Sedan, and Porsche Taycan 4S. Only the similarly priced Tesla Model S Dual Motor AWD consistently sets higher bars than the Lucid Air Dual Motor AWD.

You can choose between Smooth, Swift, and Sprint driving modes. We can detect the differences in vehicle behaviour between the three, but we think Smooth is the best one because it matches the car’s Zen-like personality and luxury sedan mission.

Evaluation day took place in Southern California, and it was a scorcher, with temperatures in the high 30s in Celsius. The Air’s climate control system struggled to cool the interior, and we used Sprint mode while driving in the Santa Monica Mountains. The heat, mountainous driving route, overworked climate system, and more aggressive Sprint driving mode all took a toll on the Air’s efficiency.

We began our real-world drive with an 80% battery charge and 490 kilometres of indicated range. After 116 kilometres traveled, the car had a 54% charge and 330 kilometres of indicated range. According to the trip computer, it consumed energy at a rate of 19.3 kWh/100 kilometres, falling short of the Natural Resources Canada rating of 17.3 kWh/100 kilometres.

Quiet, quick, and comfortable, the Lucid Air is a luxury car and not a sports sedan. On the twisty and tricky Mulholland Highway, the Air’s massive windshield pillars, lifeless steering, mushy brake pedal, and overall width made it hard to rapidly cover ground with confidence.

During this part of the evaluation, we found the left windshield pillar completely blocks the view of oncoming vehicles and cyclists when bending the Air left into and around a curve. In addition, the steering, though precise, lacks feel, feedback, and engagement. Furthermore, since you can’t entirely count on the one-pedal driving function when hustling the car, you must use the brake pedal, and nothing much happens when you initially press on it. Then, halfway through the range of travel, the brakes finally bite.

So then, the Lucid Air is more of a cruiser, and in this regard, it excels. Effortlessly fast and equipped with an adaptive damping suspension exhibiting masterful body control and isolation without feeling artificial, the Air is well suited to coastal roads and open highways. Just keep in mind that if you need to reposition your right leg, the aggressive one-pedal driving system immediately starts slowing the car as soon as you release pressure on the accelerator pedal.

We enjoyed driving the Air in the city and suburbs, too. The car makes a pleasant whirring sound as it accelerates, and the suspension instantly quells the whoops, dips, bumps, and cracks you’ll encounter in these environments. Better yet, the Air doesn’t have the bottom-heavy feel that afflicts many EVs.

In addition, the Air’s high-resolution parking cameras are fantastic and will even tell you how far you are from the parking curb. Lucid also offers a function to help prevent curbing the wheels, and if you’d rather let the car do all the heavy lifting, there is a semi-autonomous Auto Park function (which we did not test).

The Lucid Air’s one-pedal driving system is easy to use. Simply press on the accelerator to go and release the accelerator to stop. If you don’t time it right, or you’re driving with more enthusiasm than the system can accommodate, you’ll need to use the mushy-feeling brake pedal. You can choose between Standard and High levels of brake regeneration, and we preferred High.

When the time comes to recharge the Air Pure Dual Motor AWD, Lucid predicts that you can add 320 kilometres of range in 15 minutes when using an ultra-fast charger delivering this trim’s maximum rating of 200 kW of flow. Lucid partners with Electrify Canada to provide up to two years of complimentary charging for a limited time.

Alternatively, you can install the Lucid Connected Home Charging Station, which provides a maximum of 19.2 kW of power on a 100-amp breaker. To sweeten the deal, the Air will soon gain bi-directional power flow capability, meaning you could power your house during an electrical outage by using the car as a giant battery pack.

We have found fast charging to be a frustrating experience. For consistent access to functional charging, we recommend getting the home charging station.

As you approach the Lucid Air, the car recognizes the presence of the key fob, launches an animated welcome lighting sequence, and unlocks the doors. When you get in, a facial recognition system sets the car up to your preferences. In addition, the car is automatically “on,” and when you reach your destination, you simply get out and walk away without turning it “off.” It shuts down on its own.

We’re not fans of this feature. It is unsettling to exit a vehicle that costs more than $100,000 and just walk away without turning it off. In addition, in some situations, the car activates and deactivates if you’re nearby. For example, we took the Air to a local beach to enjoy a sunset, and while standing and walking in proximity to the Lucid, it kept cycling itself on and off as we moved in and out of the car’s key fob detection range.

Entering and exiting the front seats is somewhat challenging due to the car’s sweeping windshield pillars and low roofline. You need to duck. That is not a problem when getting into or out of the rear seats, thanks in part to doors that open to a nearly 90-degree angle.

With Pure trim, the Air has 12-way power-adjustable, heated front seats wrapped in PurLuxe artificial leather that looks, smells, and feels like the real thing. In addition, sustainably sourced wood trim, a wool-blend textile made of Alpaca and recycled yarn, an Alcantara simulated suede headliner, and ambient lighting made the test car’s cabin downright plush in a guilt-free manner.

Lucid offers a Glass Canopy on all but the Air Pure. It is a single piece of glass that rises uninterrupted from the base of the windshield into the glass roof over the front-seat occupants. A separate glass panel continues over the back seats. From inside the car, the Glass Canopy looks clear, but Lucid claims it embeds the glass with protective measures against heat and light. The automaker also says California's mid-century architecture and its associated indoor/outdoor living style inspired the Glass Canopy.

Considering how the Pure test car’s air conditioning struggled to cool the interior underneath the standard roof on a hot, sunny, cloudless July day, we’d be interested in sampling an Air with Glass Canopy under similar circumstances. After 30 minutes of driving with the climate system set to 18 degrees, the test vehicle’s interior remained uncomfortably warm, and the fan blew loudly. Worse, with Pure trim, the Air doesn’t offer ventilated front seats.

Otherwise, the front seats proved exceptionally comfortable, and the rear seat is equally plush and accommodating thanks to a flat rear floor and lots of leg and foot room. The seatback angle was a little too reclined for my preference, but there is no denying the Lucid Air is a roomy, luxurious, and comfortable automobile.

In addition, storage space is generous front and rear, even if the covered bin under the centre armrest is quite small. The Air also offers two large trunks that provide a total of 909 litres of cargo space. Both feature a bi-level design with a hidden compartment under a removable load floor. The front trunk, or frunk, has 283 litres of space, while the rear trunk holds 626 litres of luggage behind its Audi-style clamshell lid.

Lucid equips the Air with an artfully rendered 34-inch Glass Cockpit display that combines three individual panels under a piece of curved glass. It boasts 5K resolution, and you can choose between Escape, Inspire, Serene, Solitude, Space, and Wonder appearance themes. Over-the-air (OTA) updates can improve the technology over time.

The left panel groups touch-sensing controls for the lighting, windshield wipers, and door locks. In the centre panel, you’ll find the digital instrumentation, including speed, charging status, driving assistance system status, and navigation directions. The right panel is a touchscreen housing infotainment functions related to music and entertainment, communications, and navigation. The navigation map offers a view showing how far you can drive on the battery’s remaining range.

Below the Glass Cockpit, angled up from the junction where the dashboard meets the centre console, is a 12.3-inch touchscreen called the Pilot Panel. It offers the same functions as the upper touchscreen but adds deep-dive climate system functions and menus for various vehicle features and settings. You can power the Pilot Panel into a storage slot in the dashboard to reveal a large storage area behind it.

Lucid also provides a smattering of physical controls. For example, directly below the air vents, you’ll find switchgear for the climate system temperature, fan speed, and stereo volume. The steering wheel houses driving assistance and infotainment controls.

It took a few tries to pair an iPhone 13 Pro to Bluetooth because the Pilot Panel evidently requires precise inputs in order for the process to proceed smoothly. Once connected, using the wireless Apple CarPlay connection was easy, and voice recognition using Siri worked as expected. Android Auto is coming soon through an over-the-air update, and the Air’s infotainment system is Amazon Alexa-compatible.

While the Glass Cockpit and Pilot Panel look terrific, it seems there are some bugs to work out. From slow response to inputs and sudden system resets to disappearing data and menu display changes without driver input, the technology regularly creates confusion and frustration.

The test car had the 21-speaker Surreal Sound Pro audio system with Dolby Atmos technology. Lucid told us it performs best when listening to music recorded in Dolby, and Tidal streams music in Dolby. Using Lucid’s Tidal account, we gave it a try, and the sound quality likely meets the expectations of customers buying a low six-figure sedan. However, though we’re not audiophiles, the audio system’s slightly thin and flat bass had us wishing for a high-end Bang & Olufsen or Bowers and Wilkins system.

Lucid touts the Air’s safety features and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) powered by up to 32 sensors, including cameras, radars, ultrasonic sensors, and lidar. The automaker claims its technology works in nearly any weather condition, including on foggy nights.

DreamDrive is the standard package. It equips the Air with adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, front and rear cross-traffic alert, rear pedestrian detection with automatic braking, and distracted and drowsy driver alert. In addition, DreamDrive has a notification system telling you that traffic ahead is moving again, traffic sign recognition, parking sensors, and a semi-autonomous parking assist system.

DreamDrive Premium is available and adds a surround-view camera system and blind-spot cameras that show the driver what’s in the car’s blind spots on the Glass Cockpit’s digital instrumentation panel.

DreamDrive Pro is the top ADAS package. It installs the complete 32-sensor set to give the electric car what Lucid says is “future-ready ADAS hardware.” In addition, it equips the Air with Highway Assist, a Level 2 driving aid combining adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assist. Currently, Highway Assist is a hands-on technology, but Lucid plans to make it a hands-off system in the future through an OTA update.

We attempted to use Highway Assist on California’s northbound Pacific Coast Highway between Malibu and Oxnard. It was unavailable until PCH became a divided highway just past Point Mugu. At that point, we got a notification that Highway Assist was available, so we activated and assessed the technology.

It worked well on this relatively straight, lightly traveled section of highway. When another vehicle tucked into the gap ahead of the Lucid, the car reacted later than we preferred but did so in an exceptionally smooth fashion. However, when holding the steering wheel at the bottom of the rim, a natural location during long stretches of driving on a freeway, the sensors inconsistently detected our hands and requested that we place them back on the wheel despite the fact they were already holding it.

Later, when driving on the southbound 101, Highway Assist struggled with the curves. This is a heavily traveled stretch with four lanes of traffic gaining elevation, and the lane-centring assist system momentarily turned itself off several times.

The Air’s lane-keeping and lane-centring assist technology frequently behaves in strange and unexpected ways. For example, it regularly attempts to correct a driver who is attempting to correct the technology, something we’ve never experienced in any test vehicle before.

The best way we can describe the sensation is a wall of resistance. Now, all lane-keeping and lane-centring assistance systems will do this to some degree in order to discourage a driver from undertaking a foolhardy maneuver. However, it is typically easy to override this technological intervention in order to, say, make extra room for a bicyclist, avoid a piece of debris on the highway, or quickly change lanes to allow someone to merge.

In the Lucid Air, this wall of resistance is stiffer than usual. So, the driver needs to muscle the steering more to overcome it. Then, when the tech finally relents, the driver’s added muscle results in more dramatic steering input than is necessary, causing erratic driving.

Ultimately, in the Air, this recurring characteristic advanced from merely irritating to downright unsettling, so I quit using Highway Assist and turned off the lane-keeping system.

The car was much better to drive without them.

Despite the technological glitches and missteps, we like the Lucid Air. It is a gracefully styled, elegantly outfitted, thoughtfully detailed, and impressively engineered electric luxury sedan.

In addition, now that it comes in a new Pure trim level with a lower price tag, the 2023 Lucid Air handily competes with its primary rivals regarding value. And that includes alternatives with traditional internal combustion engines, such as the Audi A8, BMW 7 Series, and Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

However, the lane-keeping technology is not yet what it should be, so you might be waiting a while to get that OTA update to DreamDrive Pro. Also, while the Glass Cockpit and Pilot Panel displays are well laid out with appealing graphics, their buggy behavior is a regular source of irritation.

Lastly, it is worth repeating that we strongly recommend getting the Lucid Connected Home Charging Station to avoid the nonsense that often accompanies public charger use.

Note: Images show a US model.