After a week-long test drive in Los Angeles, I can confidently state my car is officially dumber than the Lucid Air Pure electric sedan. This isn’t just faint praise; in my years of test driving vehicles, the Lucid Air stands out as a genuinely intelligent machine – smart enough, perhaps, to handle my taxes (though I wouldn’t push it that far).
However, this intelligence occasionally led to some comical situations where the car seemed to be several steps ahead. Navigating cutting-edge car tech can be a learning curve, especially when your daily driver still relies on a traditional key. My initial encounter with the Lucid began at the airport parking garage. Trying to fit luggage into what we later discovered was the “frunk” became a mini-adventure in deciphering the expansive digital dashboard. We eventually located the frunk release, but not without some initial head-scratching.
Upon reaching our hotel, another tech challenge emerged: turning the darn thing off. The AC was blasting to combat the 90-degree heat, satellite radio was stuck on a questionable pop song, and we were on a mission to power down. Finding the off switch for the radio, the AC, or the entire car proved elusive. Adding to the complexity, the Lucid decided it was update time, announcing a mandatory 40-minute software installation that would lock us out of the vehicle entirely.
Initially perplexing technology of Lucid Air Pure electric car.
Reluctantly initiating the update, we were given a two-minute evacuation warning, half-expecting the car to transform into a robot if we lingered. We retreated, and, true to its word, the Lucid handled its digital housekeeping, powering down and updating itself with an air of superior competence.
A slightly frantic call to Lucid PR unveiled the secret – a discreet button on the key fob, nestled between the ‘U’ and ‘C’ (or perhaps ‘C’ and ‘I’), acting as a digital ‘open sesame’ for the vehicle. Returning to the car, it unlocked, fully updated, a process it seemed to repeat every few days in my brief experience. The car was undeniably in control, operating on its own schedule and logic.
Spacious and comfortable interior of the Lucid Air Pure electric vehicle.
Behind the Brains: From Batteries to Breakthrough EVs
Lucid Motors’ journey began in 2007 as Atieva, a battery technology firm that became the battery supplier for Formula E racing. The company’s current direction is steered by Peter Rawlinson, formerly chief engineer on the Tesla Model S. Rawlinson’s Tesla pedigree is evident in the Air’s driving dynamics, showcasing a blend of performance and refinement.
The Lucid Air lineup includes several models, each ramping up the performance: the Touring, sprinting from 0 to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds; the Grand Touring, achieving this in a mere 3 seconds; and the base model Pure, which still boasts an impressive 4.5-second sprint. The Pure delivers 430 horsepower, ample power for most drivers. The higher-tier models unleash 620 hp and a staggering 819 hp respectively. The Grand Touring, while not tested in this review, claims a remarkable 516-mile range on 19-inch wheels. My test model, the Pure, offered a 419-mile range, a significant leap in EV range capabilities. And “zip” doesn’t even begin to cover its acceleration.
Ample front trunk (frunk) space in the Lucid Air Pure electric car.
Driving Modes and Launch Mode: Unleashing the Inner Tron
The Lucid Air features three distinct drive modes: Smooth, Swift, and Sprint. As expected, Swift and Sprint modes amplify the car’s performance. Sprint mode, however, holds a hidden gem: Launch Mode. Engaging Sprint mode via the dashboard and performing a specific dance with the brake and accelerator pedals conjures a blue bear graphic in the cockpit display, signaling Launch Mode activation. While the Lucid handles everyday driving, even in LA traffic, with composed smoothness, engaging Launch Mode transforms the experience into something akin to entering Tron. The sheer acceleration is genuinely breathtaking, and a little unnerving at first.
While exhilarating, the non-Smooth modes naturally impact battery range. However, after five days of spirited driving across Los Angeles, the battery level barely dipped below half capacity. Electric vehicle technology has progressed significantly, and Lucid is proving itself a strong contender, challenging Tesla’s long-held dominance in the EV market.
Comfortable and smooth driving experience in Lucid Air Pure electric vehicle.
Parking Prowess: Like JARVIS in Real Life
Beyond raw speed and precise handling, one particular experience showcased the Lucid Air’s intelligent driver assistance. Parking in Los Feliz to catch a movie at the Vista Theatre, I returned to find myself boxed in by two other cars. Escape seemed improbable. However, the Lucid’s array of cameras and sensors, coupled with an incredibly detailed display, transformed the stressful situation. It was akin to having Tony Stark’s JARVIS providing real-time guidance. The display precisely indicated distances to surrounding vehicles, calculating angles of potential impact with remarkable accuracy. The instant-stop nature of electric motors further aided maneuvering. I navigated out of the tight spot with newfound confidence, feeling almost like I was using the Force.
Perhaps the superhero references are piling up, and yes, I likely could have extracted myself with a conventional car. But the Lucid instilled unwavering confidence. The suite of safety and assistance features is unparalleled. I executed an impossibly tight parking escape and moments later, was launching onto the freeway, feeling undeniably cool.
The evolution of electric cars is showcased by the Lucid Air Pure.
Knight Rider Reimagined: The Future is Now
Growing up, Knight Rider and KITT, the talking TransAm, were the epitome of futuristic cool. The Lucid Air Pure, while thankfully lacking a talking AI (for now), delivers on the promise of intelligent vehicle technology that once seemed like science fiction. For a taste of that futuristic, almost superhero-esque driving experience, the Lucid Air Pure delivers.
The Lucid Air Pure starts at $69,900, the Touring at $79,900, and the Grand Touring at $109,900. Lucid’s upcoming SUV, the Gravity, priced just under $80,000, promises similar performance and technology, with a projected 0-60 mph time of around 3.5 seconds and a 440+ mile range. It will, undoubtedly, continue Lucid’s trend of producing vehicles that are, in many ways, smarter than we are.
