2023 Lucid Air Touring | Review & Road Test

For the latest Lucid Air pricing and information:
www.kbb.com/lucid/air/
For a luxury electric vehicle, yes, aerodynamic is the word of the day and the Lucid Air achieves that and then some, besting Tesla in the category, but it does it with so much style.
It’s all elegant shapes and subtle but sexy curves. Its hood extends out like the arms of a ballerina and it cinches in at the waist. The LED head and taillights are delicate but powerful and elegant. There’s nothing it lacks and isn’t more than it needs. In a word, gorgeous.
Going inside proves that the Air is more than just a pretty face.
On getting in you’ll notice that the front of the cabin features dark materials and colors. That’s because designers wanted to achieve a focused space for the driver, something akin to the cockpit of an airplane. But in the second row, where your delighted passengers are fortunate enough to luxuriate, colors are light, giving their space an airy vibe.
There is more room back here than you could possibly fathom. The seats feel great and of course are heated. You’ve got an electronic console to turn those on and do other functions like raise and lower their rear shades.
The tech in the Air levels up to the color and material design. While comprised of mostly touchscreen, there are buttons for HVAC and volume. Incidentally, this switchgear was designed to emulate piano keys and have a great feel.
Some highlights of the system, which was actually just got a massive update, include a navigation system that will quickly locate a charging station for you, it integrates with your phone well. It’s currently got Alexa functionality, but Apple CarPlay is coming soon, followed by Android Auto. The lower infotainment screen moves to reveal a cubby for storage.
There are four trim levels on the Air. The base level Pure ($87,400/$92,900 AWD) which comes as a two- or four-motor drivetrain (480 hp/410-mile max range).
VO: Both the Grand Touring ($154,000 819hp/516 mile max range) and the Grand Touring Performance ($179,000 1050hp/118 kWh- 446 mile max range) get 22 battery modules with a 118 kW capacity. Can we just take a second and look at those horsepower numbers again, please. (819 hp/Grand Touring Performance 1,050 hp). Those are nuts.
You might think the pricing is, too, and because this is a luxury car it no longer qualifies for that $7500 tax credit, though Lucid has offered that to customers themselves, so check with the the company to find out if they’re still honoring it.
The instrument cluster gives you feedback on regen, speed and also for Lucid’s DreamDrive system, which is basically an advanced lane keeping assist. No, not quite up to Mercedes or Super Cruise levels yet, but something tells me they’re working on it. But the system does operate smoothly - not super jerky or noticeable.
Driving around town in Smooth mode the Air still exudes confidence. The regen even in standard is aggressive and takes a bit of getting used to but then you put it in high regen and you’ve got true one-pedal driving. After about a day or two learning to modulate the throttle you’ll stop feeling like you’re in the back of a rickshaw being pedaled uphill. The system is incredibly smooth and it’s quite fun to drive.
When you engage Swift and Sprint mode, look out. The instant torque, even on this “sedate” 600 hp version will snap your neck back in the best way possible. This is a flipping rocket and he’s not light at a minimum of 5,200 pounds.
I promise you, though, you do not feel it when you’re driving. It’s agile, comfortable, absorbs even the worst street bumps, which I’m absolutely finding all of, and turns with poise and balance, then explodes of said turn with gravitas. I’ve got the larger 20-inch wheels which are wider and reduce the range somewhat, so not sure how it does on the narrower meats that give you more range.
When it comes to charging your Air, you get one free year in the Pure and Touring (max charging 200 kW) models and two years in the GT and GT Performance (max charging 350 kW) through Electrify America. On the GT trim I plugged in and got over 100 miles of range in less than 10 minutes. The Touring will take a little longer, but not much, which is likely only a few minutes shy of a normal gas station stop if you’re looking for a bump before getting back on the road. A full charge overnight should take less than 13 hours on a level two charger. I managed 100 miles in 4 hours on one.
Gorgeous, smart, funny, kind, and yeah, expensive. But if I was looking for a daily luxury EV and had the cash, this would be at the top of my list. I’d love it if the folks at Lucid made a smaller one, but the Air here, it’s rarified.
00:00 2023 Lucid Air
0:35 Exterior
1:41 Interior
5:10 Powertrain options
6:43 Driving Impressions
9:25 Charging and Range

[@kathyouthere]

I saw a Lucid about a month ago while traveling from Spokane Washington to Idaho. I didn't know or had even seen one and had to research what it was. It was one beautiful and sexy car.

[@andrewschannel4259]

I drove one of these and I liked it more than the Teslas I've been in.

[@swissmrkc]

I like most cars over the Tesla... Their infrastructure is great, pioneering yada yada but the fit and finish of Tesla's is really poor for the price.

[@andrewschannel4259]

@@swissmrkc Plus, in the Lucid, I wasn't questioning on how to do basic things like I do whenever I sit in Teslas.

[@rkalla]

100% agree - but they'll need to get acquired to survive. My guess is Merc buys them.

[@ColinFox]

@@swissmrkc Tesla fit and finish is perfectly fine, at least as good as Mercedes & BMW. What you are bitching about is Tesla's design. You don't like minimalism. Which is fine - you don't have to like it, but don't confuse it with actual quality problems. In fact, Tesla material choice is actually superior to Mercedes. BMW still uses nice leather, but Mercedes now uses a garbage plasticky fake leather that feels gross to the touch. Tesla vegan leather, on the other hand, feels like the softest glove leather, head and shoulders above what benz is doing today.

[@farren7254]

@@ColinFoxok I’m sorry I have 2 teslas (Model S and Model Y) and their fit and finish are absolute garbage when compared to the Toyotas I had before. We don’t even have to go to Mercedes BMW or Lexus.

[@gregtudanca.]

I always wondered why would anyone choose a light colored flooring. It looks good but imagine just maintaining it clean! I feel Lyn is doing her best to not dirty it even more 😂

[@noyb9284]

Doubt those paying the asking price of a Lucid give a damn about cleaning cost

[@Babyrocko1908]

​@NO YB You would be correct. I chose Santa Cruz and with my Zenith Red Touring it's perfect in my opinion. Keeping it clean wasn't a factor in my decision at all. I had the interior completely ceramic coated including the carpets. It's like scotchguard on steroids!

[@Babyrocko1908]

It's not an issue for me.

[@pianobench6319]

This is a chauffer car. The chauffer is supposed to remove his shoes and put on his driving shoes when he gets into this car. The CEO/Bossman then takes his own shoes off and places them in the front passenger seating. Bossman then is supposed to relax and spread out his toes raw along the backseat carpet. At the end of the day, the chauffer licks the carpet completely clean.

[@kbb]

You bring up an excellent question!

[@wynndiancin7234]

I like that you can hide that enormous tablet-sized screen.

[@user-yz9cc1or7i]

I think this might be my new dream car, lol

[@Jan_haj]

really looking forward to the SUV-version of the Air 😎

[@SPER1]

They didn't show the trunk or the frunk.. That's really disappointing.

[@user-jg6xu1kk1i]

It's a prototype, they don't open yet.

[@toddf93]

​@@user-jg6xu1kk1i It's a production car, they're already in customer hands, also Engineering Explained did a video on the car and showed both front and rear trunks

[@Babyrocko1908]

​@@user-jg6xu1kk1i It's a what? 😂

[@xtype2006]

The cargo room of the Lucid Air is best in class. The frunk is HUGE!

[@Josh-179]

This car's been in production for 2 years.

[@abymatsu]

The most impressive review on Lucid I have ever seen, coming from KBB. Makes it very hard for haters to spin and say "but ..."

[@jbar_85]

A solid roof- thank you Lucid! I live in South Florida and my boyfriends has a Tesla Model 3. I hate that it’s like a oven. Thankfully we can pre-cool it but that wastes electricity. It would be better if that’s an option instead of standard. I would prefer a normal roof with a sunroof option.

[@superspeed1]

The Lucid Air Pure has a solid metal roof.

[@me-it9jn]

Ask him to get one of those model 3 roof shades

[@tednahas8927]

I can't tell if you are trolling or not but metal roofs make cars just as hot as the glass does... there is no difference. I have a model Y and there is no difference in the Temps of the car compared to my Cadillac sts... this is a dumb take.

[@JL-ov8db]

THOSE PANEL GAP THO

[@drivinginthedcbaarea]

Umm nothing unusual. They look normal to me. And absolutely NOTHING like Tesla.

[@ColinFox]

@@drivinginthedcbaarea Have you actually LOOKED at a Tesla? The stories of "panel gap problems" at this point are nothing more than propaganda. No truth to them at all. Same for interior fit and finish - top quality. In fact, the vegan leather Tesla is using is 1000x as nice to touch as the garbage Mercedes is using. Do yourself a favor and actually check out these cars in person.

[@drivinginthedcbaarea]

@@ColinFox I have. My uncle had a 2020 Model 3. Terrible car, traded it in less than a year later. Got an '05 mustang and loved that car so much more. Fanboy.

[@blakespringpasturemortimer9168]

@@ColinFox Sorry, but wrong. We have a 2021 Model S Plaid and a Lucid Air Dream Edition Performance. The early production Lucids (including ours -- production no. 154) does have an alignment problem with the molded plastic trunk lid that was traced back to a curing issue at the vendor, but the rest of the panels on the Lucid have tighter and more consistent gaps than the Plaid. And the interior assembly quality and materials -- as well as cabin spaciousness -- in the Lucid are on an entirely different plane than the Tesla's.

[@jbar_85]

@@ColinFox my boyfriends old 2020 Model 3 had panel gap issues and quality issues for sure. His 2023 is barely any better. Tesla has lots more to go in quality control for sure.

[@craigmerkey8518]

Cool to recognize the valley in the background!

[@writingpanda]

I am glad I subscribed, thank you. 😊

[@mixah5566]

I saw one in Tampa, FL yesterday it was super cool, i liked it alot

[@d3j051]

Really amazing a beautiful sedan. Their SUV (Gravity) I think comes out next year so that should be even more amazing. They need a lower priced models to really succeed.

[@carfan108]

I saw caught a glimpse at a red one the other day when we were on the highway (it was going the other direction) headed out for dinner. They’re pretty rare where I live.

[@michaelcambridge1542]

Love the "cinched waist." Oooohhh yeah!!

[@epbrown01]

The script on the c-pillar reminds me of the Studebaker Avanti logo.

[@Miata822]

Odd. I've had Apple CarPlay for quite a while. I guess this video was filmed quite a while back. I guess the winter coat should have told me that. I have been driving my Air GT for over a year now. I still turn and look back at it every time i walk away. The car is a joy to drive around town, on the freeway, and especially on twisty roads. the handling is definitely world class. The interior details and attention to detail far exceeded my expectations, as did the updates. A regular stream of software updates has made steady improvements.

[@rockykropp]

Is that the HP of weekly payment ?

[@philipmuller90]

I saw one last week in South Carolina. It really is a beautiful car. I was surprised how low it sat to the ground, lower than the model shown in the video.

[@Lorentz_Driver]

Nothing says luxury like not being able to block out the sun.

[@rkalla]

ROFL this is too true

[@noyb9284]

Potential buyers won't worry about that in this price range so....since you can't afford one you're off the hook

[@weirdshibainu]

​@@noyb9284 So wealthy people like to roast in a car?😂

[@blakespringpasturemortimer9168]

@@weirdshibainu We live in south Florida (Naples) with our Lucid Air Dream Performance. Cabin heat is no more a problem than with other cars, i. e., it'll get hot when parked in the sun but cools down just fine when the A/C is turned on. We also drove the car into the Carolinas last summer during a 100+ degree heat wave and were never uncomfortable in the car, even when sitting at chargers in uncovered WalMart parking lots. The new IR rejection coatings that Lucid, Rivian, and Tesla use are actually quite effective.

[@Lorentz_Driver]

@@noyb9284 Rich people also get hot, believe it or not.

[@mzm1011]

I really want one of these vehicles! ❤

[@samikamal1]

LET'S GOOOOOOOOOO LUCID✨️ FAMILY ❤️🙋‍♂️🥳🥳🥳🥳🎉🎉🎉😉👍😁

[@StealthAZ]

How would the glass roof do in Arizona in the summers ? Thinking it would be hot 🥵

[@briank8679]

Oh hey, the Sunkist building *and* the Sepulveda Dam Recreation Area?! SFV represent!

[@kbb]

IFKYK!

[@issachernandez8423]

So what are the disadvantages of the glass roof

[@InterstellarTaco]

The outside looks a little wonky but by god, the interior is phenomenal.

[@friendlytravelagent7784]

I prefer the sprint (top performance) mode, not because of the acceleration, but because of the tightened steering and suspension. The car changes profiles from a Lincoln to a BMW.

[@reallAliTurk]

🔥🔥🔥

[@user-jg6xu1kk1i]

EV PR: interior in the front is black to help driver focusing on the road Also EV PR: We removed all buttons to make luxurious and help the driver focusing on the road

[@westoncharm7467]

Very innovative. Quality is excellent. Price wise, id have to pass. But i hope for nothing but success for this automaker.

[@Jojoba-wz6ri]

While I’m not a fan of the side profile, it is neat.

[@ThomasSchick]

3:02 she mentions a trunk and a frunk…no pictures, spec’s or how they operate…🤷🏻‍♂️

[@kbb]

There are buttons that open both. Sometimes there's a lot to talk about with a brand new car and we cannot possibly get to all the details! Thanks for the comment. We'll keep trying to cram as much information as we possibly can into these.

[@stephenwinter8892]

Greetings from southern Ontario Canada I really enjoyed the video unfortunately this ev isn't available here

[@sujats4281]

It is. If you are in Toronto, Yorkdale mall has a showroom

[@stephenwinter8892]

@@sujats4281 you mean vinfast has a dealership right inside I test drove it last October but lucid I don't believe it

[@davidpurewal283]

Lucid is located right by parkade E

[@abdulmoosani3276]

damn that trunk panel gap is really noticeable

[@nsingh452]

Wow ❤❤❤❤❤

[@moiseslopez3989]

Nice video I like that car is the future the best the best

[@user-ix7yb6cs7p]

My dream ❤

[@stephenmclean3029]

These are so slick. No wonder a partnership with Apple is on the horizonz

[@ride0RgetR0DE0n]

She’s not even reviewing it she’s just glazing it.

[@friendlytravelagent7784]

This is my favorite car by all means, I just wish they made a slightly smaller one! Something around 190 inches (Air is 196.8)

[@berniemadoff7837]

Travel agents are dinosaurs 😂

[@kingnole7540]

It's June. Why are you wearing a puffy down parka and ski cap? Did this test drive occur on the north pole? 🥶

[@kbb]

We shot this video in February and it was raining and cold!

[@Mr.HootieHoo]

The interior leaves more to be desired. Once upon a time critics and consumers agreed about the love of physical buttons.

[@random2307]

Cruising in the middle of nowhere and it breaks down, now I'm fu**** it's ok though because it's Lucid. The interior is more beautiful then a Peirce Arrow and safer then a concrete Bunker, this car is sick.

[@amigatommy7]

Hyundai, Kia, Genesis does good one-petal. Might take Lucid a few years although the battery size is good.

[@friendlytravelagent7784]

Definitely worth driving if you haven't already. I've driven Ioniqs, Teslas, Lucids, and more, and Lucid has by far the best regen

[@rakshitvedia5332]

Beautiful car, beautiful lady❤

[@andrewcairo6299]

Here is my problem with all electric cars, why so many touch screens or screens in general. Aren't you supposed to save battery range which all those screens run off of?

[@italianovero220]

Allow me to alleviate your concerns about electric cars by telling you that the electronics are run by the 12v battery, just like a gas car, not the main battery. And when the main battery charges the 12v it is a negligible amount compared powering the motors.

[@user-jg6xu1kk1i]

Luxury = No buttons

[@FriendlyKat]

5:43 I'm not sure what that means. I hope to one day get this car. It's my dream car. I'm obsessed with how the car looks and feels! I will admit, I don't like the wiper buttons being on the screen, though.

[@davidpurewal283]

Wiper controls also on stalk

[@blue_lancer_es]

I really wanted to see the trunks opened. 😢

[@carfan108]

I have a HotWheel of the same one!

[@chukwuemekanwoke9003]

🎉🎉

[@DavidJones-ds1hy]

❤❤❤❤

[@smokeme69]

Apple car play just got released last month with an update 🎉

[@hifistuded]

I am not picking on the car, it is very good but my 2008 BMW dashboard and steering is black color for the focussed driving

[@MrJohnbety]

The lucid is a beautiful automobile. It doesn’t get the hype of Tesla would have had an opportunity would not disappoint.

[@BetterGetuOne]

👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@jerrinjoevarghese]

I see a lag in the software

[@ryanfrisby7389]

Great review Lyn!

[@78625amginE]

Loved it until I saw the prices 🙄

[@venictos]

Who else is ready to get a car note, heloc, sell a kidney, and rob a bank to drive this!?

[@gene978]

You parked in a mud/ sand terrain (which doesn’t present the car very well) and with boots on that Carpet?

[@kbb]

Sometimes our video team are super limited with where and when we can shoot. We had that car for a short time and it was raining in LA the entire time. We call that force majeur and do what we can!

[@lorenpeterson657]

Why are they always walking out of the shot

[@Ethan7s]

Is it telling that you licked the handle to get dibs on a Corolla review, but not this?

[@johnklink4825]

5,200 lbs. means high tire wear. Battery longevity decreases when you burn the A/C and travel up hills. Electric cars are fun, but, not the future.

[@mm__m522]

only 180K?! Yay capitalism!

[@111danish111]

Nice boots 👢

[@kylekuhn4046]

Lucid Group, Rivian, Lambirgini, Volkswagen (Panasonic, Nvidea, AMD Tesla, Fisker, Apterra, CANoo))

[@kylekuhn4046]

Xiaomi, Porsche, AUdi

[@marcoslo00063]

This is like the Hyundai of electric cars 😂

[@preoksaha4504]

This is near perfect. I just feel like the deployable screen will have problems. It was already finicky when she was pressing it 💀

[@rayRay-pw6gz]

For $150K I would expect more all around . At this time , I think all EV are more hype than functional. Nobody even talks about the fire potential when stored in your garage of your home . Interesting we’re we will be in five more years.

[@MHassan1986]

That dirt on the rear carpet definitely kicked off my OCD..lol.

[@Asskicker41582]

87,000 for the Air Pure should be mentioned. And its a liitle smaller!!

[@Babyrocko1908]

All of the Air trims are the exact same length. The major differences are in the battery packs, charging speeds, horses, and weight.

[@heavymetalnhardrock]

Imagine paying $100k+ for a car that doesn't even have Android Auto/Carplay 💀

[@weirdshibainu]

Nice car. If the company survives another year, it'll be a miracle.

[@abymatsu]

How would they not survive for another year? They already had funding till Q1 2024 and are now raising another 3 Billion along with PIF.

[@weirdshibainu]

​@@abymatsu Because they're bleeding money. The Saudis had to just bail them out. Their market segment is tiny. Their stock is down 90 percent from it's high. Do the math

[@abymatsu]

@@weirdshibainu Not only have I done my math, I have listened to every word in their recent earnings calls and gone through their financial statements. The bleed is vastly exaggerated by bashers. The 'cost of revenue' number is going to get significantly better in the second half of this year.

[@weirdshibainu]

@@abymatsu Then you know what I say is correct. Dead company walking.

[@abymatsu]

@@weirdshibainu Now I know what you are trying to do here.

[@Cryptomoke]

My only wish for Lucid cars is that they were self driving compatible then I wouldn’t even consider a Tesla at all!

[@CO-go1sd]

Sun visors sunction cupped to the glass roof on a $90k car?? Lol

[@tedwodoslawsky9201]

The person doing this review should join Toastmasters. She is saying “umm” way too often.

[@masoodrazaq]

It’s an impressive vehicle, but expensive and getting lost an an increasingly crowded field of new SUVs. What can the company do to increase sales? They have serious problems now and will require a rights issue to avoid running out liquidity.

[@user-jn4bq7lh8q]

Filming in puddles & gravel with beige carpets….ouch! 🫣

[@TweedSuit]

Cream carpet...

[@amigatommy7]

Nice but... Controls are too Tesla to be good.

[@blakespringpasturemortimer9168]

We're on our second Tesla (a Model S Plaid that replaced at 2015 S P90D) and also have a Lucid Air Dream Performance. Unlike Tesla, which has gone way too far down the screen-only control rabbit hole, the Lucid actually has quite a few more traditional controls: turn signal and gear shift stalks, toggle switches to control A/C fan and temp, air vent direction, roller volume controls. Also, although screens are used to control other functions, many of them have dedicated icons that don't require you to go into submenus to operate them: light controls, wiper controls, and vehicle openings (doors, trunk, frunk, charge port, glovebox). In short, the Lucid is a much easier car to operate, especially when the car is in motion and it's hard to place a finger exactly on the icon you're taking your eyes off the road to find.

[@1975brett]

1000+ horsepower? Just what the American driver ego needs. 🙄

[@ronron26ny]

how about a car cheaper

[@ronaldpogi9371]

wow its better than tesla...

[@ikephipps2696]

Sounds like she's saying 'instant twerk'

[@aeromtb2468]

ok a little too much about the script

[@joegaston7148]

Lady had a full snow jacket on talking about it’s hot …… I’m out

[@kgirishchandra]

Something about her...

[@SSS-mp8th]

Who really buys a car like a Kickstarter $200 item?

[@0farmerjohn0]

Too bad Lucid priced themselves out of the competition.

[@Josh-179]

Doesn't really have competition.

[@johnklink4825]

Too expensive

[@ozoneA6]

"Copy-cyat" of tesla😬😩🤷‍♂️

[@zStevenn]

wtf is that intro

[@Jfarmerthunder]

Looks are definitely subjective 🤮

[@kbb]

Always! Thanks for letting us know how you feel. What are you liking out there?

[@hh22]

What a cringe review. No mention of incredibly low back seats

[@DrewFu319]

Can we please learn to stop saying 'Alexa' on KZbin videos?

[@kbb]

Does it make the one in your house start talking?

[@DrewFu319]

@@kbb Yes. This should be a fairly obvious practice by now.

[@Sal_A]

1st world problems 🤦‍♂️😅

[@DrewFu319]

@@Sal_A it’s a first-world channel.

[@Sal_A]

@@DrewFu319 a first world illusion enraptured by the material world and endless needs unfortunately

[@peterrao1]

No Apple CarPlay or Android Auto after all that money! Kia’s look better!

[@bojiang66]

So far, the Lucid Air series is a total commercial disaster!

[@meatbyproducts]

What is the most pretentious boring car I've ever seen all at once. It is the epitome of vapid California life. I've seen a couple in person recently, and they are very boring looking. They look like every other modern car as all the buzzwords go.