Lucid Air review - is this the world's best electric car?
Вставка
- Опубліковано 11 жов 2023
- Lucid might be a relative unknown in the UK, but it's generated quite a reputation in the USA building what many consider a new era of high-end electric cars. Designed and engineered by some of the team responsible for the Tesla Model S, Steve Sutcliffe finds out just how good it is on European roads. There's only one problem, it's not coming to the UK any time soon...
Read more at Auto Express:
www.autoexpress.co.uk/lucid/air
SUBSCRIBE for more new car reviews and Steve Sutcliffe track tests: aex.ae/2gY9ABE
Would you like to receive the latest car news, reviews, features, pictures and videos in your e-mail inbox three times a week? The Auto Express e-mail newsletter delivers exactly that, it's free and it takes seconds to sign up: aex.ae/2ml5DOf
More Auto Express videos:
Car reviews playlist: aex.ae/2gY4ViX
Track battle playlist: aex.ae/2U8yvdf
Car news playlist: aex.ae/3vyKA8G - Авто та транспорт
This is definitely one of the most desirable EVs out there! I saw one a year ago at the dealership, it's an amazing looking and feeling vehicle.
Manufactured in Arizona. Designed in California. I wish they sold it in the UK too.
But you couldn't afford one.
@@grahamjohnson4702 How would you know?
@@TMan786He doesn't need to know to know that it's not accessibly priced for the general public. So it's going to do nothing to save the environment or save regular people any money at the gas station. Maybe the mid-sized one will be accessible, but I doubt it because Californians are best at making things for rich people and know very little about having to fight to make a living.
@@dash-ryan That's a different point and like their competitors Lucid seems to be following a top down approach. It makes sense as they're still learning how to be a manufacturer and scale comes later with cheaper models which will be available as the price of the drive trains fall over time.
@@TMan786 I'll believe when I see it. 10 years in and that business model hasn't proven itself.
Lovely review. It really captures that "Oh Wow!" feeling of first driving a Lucid. My Air GT was delivered in April of last year. Every time I drive it feels like a special occasion. Every time I park I can't walk away without turning to look back at it.
I hate to talk about range because that is what everybody asks when discussing EVs, but in the Lucid the industry's longest real-world range really does make a difference in usability. Without exception I need to stop for a break before the car does. Rather than hoping that I can make it to the next charger I can choose which charger to visit, if i need to stop to charge at all. That really makes travelling by EV practical, not a chore.
Lucky, I wish they were available n NZ.
I've driven the Grand Touring, it is a very nice car indeed. It's actually startling to look at the range and see over 700kms left! First time for me, that's for sure, including with an ICE car!
I'm looking seriously at getting one of the lesser versions - frankly I'm not interested in 800+hp, it's too much for my needs.
Well done Lucid!
I really hope Lucid can succeed 👍
Lucid is going to be major!! Don't doubt the Lucid Brand!!!
. I've heard they are losing large sums of money. Don't know that for certain though
Me too, I purchased stocks and trying to be patient
@@Alebal76 patience is key when buying stocks or shares. You are in it for the long haul.
Best car reviewed by best journalist in the business
Without a doubt, the best ground up EV ever produced. But refinement will take time. Also, gaining traction for mass produced and more affordable model is desperately needed to remain solvent.
Nope. Never a ground up. He learned and stole from tesla. Stay woke.
Saudi money = solvent.
@@ozoneA6Lucid is just a far better Tesla! I want one of these.
@@rogermartinez78 thanks to tesla.
@@ozoneA6 Tesla Motors can easily improve their cars but they won’t, Elon thinks that everyone wants minimalist interiors, well I am sorry to break it to him and you , we don’t all want what he is selling!
Yes. Yes it is. And it's reviewed by the world's best motoring journalist. More Steve please!
Great vlog as usual Steve. Looks fab, but is it me or does the side and rear three quarter look lika a Renault 25 from 40 years ago! Cheers anyway. 👍👍
Excellent Review ❤😎
SUBSCRIBED!
Im an avid Tesla fan having bought a Model S back in 2014, now 137,000 uk miles latter still a fan and still enjoying the same car which was so advanced at the time its still relevant now. My only complaint is the ride quality mind you I say that about any cars Ive had apart from my Jaguars oh and my superb Citroen Xantia. Without the unique Hyropnuematic Citroen suspension Jaguar always came a close second and if ex Jaguar ex Tesla CEO Peter Rawlinson has brought that ride magic to the Lucid that is of great interest to me. Always look forward to your test Steve and its so good we are getting such a diverse swathe of EVs now. Pace Space and Grace was never far wrong but hellish difficult good work Lucid.
What kind of howling sound is heard in the background? Is it the engines!?
the sapphire does the quarter mile in under 9 second as well
excellent stuff and well represented by sutcliffe now i need to go out and make real money
100
what I likes about the design is that it doesn't have any crappy fake grills or exhausts.
It looks like it has a lot of body-roll thru the corners through.
Awesome looking car.
Steve is the best!
Beautiful car. they need to invest more in advertising asap! Especially in Europe.
Only reason I am subbed to Auto Express is purely for Steve. Up there with the very best car journos.
Fantastic. Come on Lucid, bring it to the UK! 👍
cannot wait for him to drive the sapphire
Потрясающе красивая и стильная машина. Цена конечно кусается. Хотелось бы чтобы Lucid была доступнее. Удачи производителям. ❤
Absolute beauty
How is it in the snow?
He probably wont give you the answer to that one .🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Stunning car. Beats Tesla model S in every way and all other luxury EV's.
Lovely, but didn't the whining noise drive you mental after a while?
Musk did not set up Tesla. He came in long after the company was created.
Lol you’re going to play semantics for a period in time which a single car wasn’t built?
So was Paypal
Exactly
@@shamilton6328facts is semantics ? 😂😂😂😂
He didn’t even found the company
I definitely would buy it but there are some down sides that holds me back from doing that. 1, is maintenance. I live in Lancaster county Pennsylvania. If something happens or if something is need for the Lucid, If something happens to that electric motor or the batteries or whatever, there's only one place in the entire state that works on them. This means i would have to put the car on a wrecker, which would cost a fortune and haul it there then pay another fortune to fix it. No way. Not when my mechanic is down the road. 2, Price. The starting price of the new lucid air starts at $71,400 and could reach $200,000 or more depending on features a additional accessories. That's too much money for that 516 miles of range. Especially when my car is paid off at 41K and provides me with a range of 570 miles. But as soon as the price becomes alittle more reasonable, I'll definitely take one. Eventhough i have to admit the Lucid is a far greater EV compared to all EVs in America, i still keep my car. It's just as roomy, rides just as nice, 3 to 5 minutes of downtimes for fueling which is once a month, paid off at 41K and provides me with a range of 570 miles. No i dont have the high speeds but i don't need it either. If i need to go around something or get out of the way quickly, trust me i can. Love my jaguar XJL. But nice car Lucid. Once it becomes reasonable, i definitely will take it.....
I hope they succeed. We really need a better charging network than Electrify America
They need to adopt the NACS and they might sell a few more ugly cars.
United States*
@hitsomebody1 bet you haven't driven one
Instant like for Steve
This is best car in world 👍
Thanks for making go ...ahh another thing we are not getting in the Uk ...😀😀😀😀
Luxury, Quality, and Performance is compared to Range Rover. Awesome vehicle!
Hands up if you have the first 100 editions of auto express …
I realize now I am spoiled watching Demuro's car reviews now.
make no mistakes love that.
Absolutely 💯 beautiful
It's great to see someone of Steve's caliber speak highly of the Lucid Air. I agree, sad to see the Air won't be made in RHD. I hear the Gravity (SUV) will be. That ought to upset the Germans!
One heck of a car at one heck of a price.
Its a nice looking car...go Lucid!!!!
Imagine in today world after +100y of automotive industry you have started bilding new S class as new car maker. Chances you will survive are small. Good luck!
Seems like Steve got a nice paycheck. Nice for him👏.prety sure this will be nicecommercial in books of Lucid
A celebrated EV with no demand…
Gravity SUV will be showing next month, so we should see Lucid gain more traction when that goes into production. I see Lucid Air's all over in Scottsdale now, so there is demand... just wish there was more demand, but at this price range it limits the audience.
next to Rimac nevera for sure!
That depends on the metrics considered, What is more influential as a car, a multi million dollar high performance 2 seater with limited capability and production or a useful and practical sedan that is mass produced and is more efficient?
@@jonathanhidalgo4591 my response to world's best electric car.
@@cndnrothe rimac nevera is the quickest ev car but the Lucid Air Sapphire is the best ev car overall
LET'S GOOOOOOOOOO LUCID✨️ FAMILY❤️ WOOHOO!👏👏😁🙋♂️❤️🥳🥳🥳🎉🎉🎉🎉🕺🕺🕺😉👍
Lucid needs to fix the A/C problem…not cold enough….
My Lucid's A/C runs ice cold.
Now change temp in it without crashing......
It is a great car, but their financial future is in serious doubt. It's also made for US roads and parking bays.... It's too wide for most European roads and car parks.
It's shorter than Tesla model S and has lower hight by 1 inch but almost the same width
lucid is verry verry good car ,the most beautyful no doubt
😍 yesssss it is
Like most EVs, it's enormously expensive in Canada with a cockpit with all the style of a smartphone. So the passion with which these people make this car means nothing to those who can't afford it. Let's see if these Californians can build something just as good at less than half the price and more interior style. Now for that, I will eat my words. I'm not worried.
Even more incentive for me to move back into a country in the European Union haha
So you like it then?
I remember seeing this years ago - ”what a good idea; a GOOD looking EV!”
Then it also was a good drive. The want was there, and now Steve says Yes. Ok!
Is it true that momentum is building within the car insurance industry, that companies are trying to avoid Insuring EVs because of the increased number of EV fires like the one at Luton airport the other day?
No
Because, statistically, ICE cars are 17x MORE likely to catch fire than EVs and insurers go on data not clickbait.
I thought it was a diesel car at Luton airport according to the news on tv.
Range Rover Evoque diesel is not an EV
Lucid😍
Are you JOKING? "To do this much, in such a short space of time"? Seriously?? They took thee longest time ever to build that car. It was so long that every few years, stories caame out saying they were going bankrupt, that it was a con to get investors and that they were never actually going to build a car. I reckon, without looking into it, that this has been 10 years in the making. 100% not s short space of time.
Old man shouting at the clouds lol. Lucid only started production 2yrs ago. That’s what he’s talking about. You are not very bright are you?
Best? Maybe, but it will be produced in a very small volume to compete with the Taycan etc. Tesla are moving away from bigger cars and going for volume so Lucid have a chance to carve out a nice niche here but don’t compare them to Tesla, they are going to be a Luxury maker. $80k for an entry version will lose them money - they need to price it way above that.
Interesting
Some day🥹❤️
Frunk not froot!
Ahh so as we take a closer look we can all acknowledge that Tesla is the best auto company in the world, also that they have the best software. Lucid is worth about as much as a hoodie in 100° weather. If one has brain cells then they would not even buy one share. Let me make sure everyone here knows the whopping $5 that would cost.
short seller
It's a beautiful car. It has the style of an old GM body car. Wait until they make a pickup version. Look out GM & Ford. Fond on Russian dump for Ford. GM means Got a Mechanic 🧰 coming 🤣🤣🤣😂
It's nice that it's not another f*cking SUV, even though Lucid have one in the works 😑
This. What in the world is the obsession/brainwash with SUVs. They've driven oil demand up 30% in the last 10 years. EV suvs is not the answer to a climate crisis.
I'm glad Steve likes how it drives; it's worth something as feedback. Unfortunately, it does nothing to solve the EV infrastructure issue, and it doesn't seem to add much to a Taycan except possibly interior space.
The infrastructure issue is so overblown - it really is. So much clickbait but actual owners know: there isn't all that much waiting and ultra rapid chargers are absolutely everywhere now.
Don't believe everything you read in the press. Bad news sells.
@@timaustin2000 Bad news sells; reality sells more. Within 10 miles of my house there is 1 (one) 150 kW charger, which is regularly stuffed up by taxis queuing during the day and at weekends. I often do 200+ mile round trips which require a full charge with most BEV.
I cannot charge at home due to the house facing directly on the road and having no parking. The only public alternatives within walking distance of my home are 7/22 kW chargers, which are no great with a pure electric (leaving aside the insurance/ security aspect of leaving the car plugged in overnight in a public car park). Never mind the price, which by the time one pays premium rates for rapid charging is on a par with petrol (never mind diesel).
There is nothing "overblown"; it's a pretty common situation in the UK outside of London (and in fact even within London and other major cities).
I agree. I have a Lucid Air Touring and I simply plug in at home every couple of days with a 220v charger. Overnight, I'm able to leave to work with a full "tank" every day. It's just like charging an iPhone or any other device we have. @@timaustin2000
That being said, the charging infrastructure could be better but it's something you only have to deal with on very long road trips so it really depends on how you're using the car.
Doesnt add much to the taycan except: almost double the range, more power, more space and faster charging, so basically 80% what makes an EV
@@leokal457 And 30% more price. It still does nothing particularly innovative, or to address the real issue with EV, which is infrastructure.
Auto Express is being very dishonest. Most of the engineers that made the Tesla model S still work for Tesla. Only the CEO of Lucid previously worked for Tesla and that was 10 years ago. Auto Express also fails to mention that the software in the Lucid is very slow and the company is owned by Saudia Arabia.
Not sure who this is marketed at, everyone wants SUVs now and this company just produces high end saloons.
If they want to survive they will have to follow Tesla and make smaller vehicles that will sell on a bigger scale while still being profitable.
It's a great car but I wish they drop the eco-friendly BS...A 2.3 tonnes automobile is an eco disaster no matter how the power is generated
Even if the vehicle is 100% solar powered?
Unfortunately there is one problem... Who owns Lucid Motors?...
Who buys Saudi oil? Anyone of note?
@@naveennandigum8630 And?... Does the world economy offer any ethical alternatives to Saudi oil?... Please do enlighten me... Here's the rather HUGE difference between Saudi oil and Lucid Motors: There are PLENTY of alternatives to Lucid Air. For example: Porsche Taycan, Tesla Model S, Audi e-tron GT and BMW i5. And believe me: I think it is very, very unfortunate that Lucid Motors is in fact majority owned by the Saudi Military Dictator. If he were to sell his share of the company to someone else that wasn't a Military Dictatorship I would 100% get behind Lucid Motors. The car seems to be rather good...
Mm.
Wellllllllll....😂
Just an advert….
I love Lucid instead of Tesla. Tesla looks just a Toy.
To bad Lucid wont be around in 2 years time, they are burning money like there is no tomorrow and losing tons of money (1.5 billion each quarter)and a lot on every car they make. Would have been nice if they also brought the lessons about cost efficiency and keeping your CAPEX in check. short, great car, horrible company.
Lucid is backed by the Saudi Public Investment Fund, don't think burning money is an issue for them
You forgot to add - a CEO who can’t be trusted !
Rubbish!!! Lucid is here to stay!!! Wait until they unveil the next model!! Then the 2 door coupe!!! Let's go!!!
So.. this was? AD?
It's noisy.
Immediately inaccurate information. It's built in Arizona. Not California
They need to adopt the NACS and they might sell a few more ugly cars.
Crazy expensive, no RHD, and funded by the saudi's! I'll give it a miss.
Guess you can't afford it 😂😂😂
Well, who buys Saudi oil currently.
So, a luxury EV, not available in the UK, built by a company who always seem to be on the verge of bankrupcy. A car that's super expensive and mostly pointless for the vast majority. Lucid appear to not have much of a business plan, can't make that many cars anyway, but went ahead and effectively mortgaged themselves up to the eyeballs (a bit like Rivian). There will be carnage over the coming years with all these EV startups.
Lucid Air... that's what you name a brand of WATER PURIFIER. Vehicles names have to "sound" rugged and dependable (mustang, hellcat, bronco...) That's why Lucid sales suck.
Ray Crocket to founding McDonald's brothers when he hijacked their store and made it a global empire: "I don't give a damn about your burgers. It's the name, McDonald's I want. It sounds wholesome and American and I can sell it."
Otherwise the Sapphire model is arguably the best cat on the planet.
The nice Lucid EVs are way overpriced. For that price you can get a Mercedes AMG EQS 4Matic+ which costs about the same and is just as fast from a practical standpoint and is far far far more luxurious inside and techy too (full LCD dash) that it doesn't even bear comparison. And you can get service at any Mercedes dealer. God Help you if you are a hundred miles from a Lucid dealer and something goes wrong. They wont even tow it to the dealer as it exceeds their towing radius of about 50 miles. Good luck.
It is not helpful to watch you driving the vehicle (on and on and on). We are watching to see the vehicle, not you.
Auto express - Loocid motors is a CRAPPY car , not even as good as the 2012 model S.
Loocid has very LOW demand.
i see you are still being pratt tesla fanboy with no brains
failed on looks .....next .......so generic inside and out ....it aint special in any way
Tesla still better😬🤷♂️
Lucid is a dog. Nothing but a broken growth story.
Electricshitbox
What delightful vehicle do you grace the roads with? And in which country?