Lucid Air Touring Review: Long Range Luxury EV Tested for Real-World Family Driving
- Marc Gonzalez
- 2 minutes ago
- 4 min read
The Lucid Air is the first vehicle from Lucid Motors, a new American automaker dedicated to building electric cars. As the brand's debut model, this luxury sedan enters a highly competitive field with rivals like the Tesla Model S, Mercedes-Benz EQS, and BMW i7. While Lucid may not be a well-known name, the Air is a serious and ambitious product. We tested the mid-range Touring model, priced at about $120,000 and built in Casa Grande, AZ, to see how it measures up against its established competitors.
The Lucid Air's design is a masterclass in balancing sleek, futuristic aesthetics with a commanding presence. It stands out as one of the industry's most visually striking vehicles for 2025, with flawless proportions from every angle. Our test car's Zenith Red Metallic finish and 20-inch Aero Lite wheels complement its form perfectly. The design is as functional as it is beautiful. A plunging nose, integrated light bars, and flush-mounted doors contribute to a world-class drag coefficient of just 0.20. Thoughtful details abound, from the front-fender charging port for easy access to the subtle "bear" emblem on the profile: a nod to the brand's California roots. The rear maintains the car's elegant and imposing stance, blending a classic large-sedan silhouette with cutting-edge lighting technology. Credit is due to designer Derek Jenkins for creating a sedan that feels both timeless and decisively forward-looking.
Stepping into the Lucid Air's cabin is a return to a low-slung, driver-focused environment, a refreshing departure from the high-riding norm. The immediate impression is one of understated luxury, with premium materials that consistently draw admiration. A bold two-tone Tahoe leather scheme, featuring black front seats and a light brown rear, exemplifies Lucid's willingness to innovate with elegant results. The driver faces a flat-bottom steering wheel, a common industry feature that improves ergonomics and comfort. Its accompanying buttons and toggles feel premium to the touch. Gear selection is handled by a stalk on the right, while the left stalk operates the turn signals and a quick-wipe function for the windshield. For more detailed wiper settings and other quick controls like lighting and frunk access, the driver uses the left-hand portion of the massive 34-inch Glass Cockpit display. This long screen serves as both the digital gauge cluster and infotainment hub. It is highly configurable, capable of showing a full-screen map, blind-spot monitoring, trip data, media information, and a dedicated view for cruise control.
The infotainment system is managed on the right side of the Glass Cockpit display. A key advantage over Tesla is the inclusion of seamless wireless integration for both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While the dedicated infotainment portion of this screen could feel larger given the car's premium status, Lucid compensates with a unique secondary display. Below, a retractable 12.5-inch touchscreen in portrait orientation handles nearly all vehicle functions: from drive modes and trip data to climate settings and even the glovebox release. Stowing this screen reveals extra storage space, a clever design touch. During testing, both displays were responsive, with only rare, minor CarPlay disconnections that are likely resolvable via future over-the-air updates. For essential controls, physical knobs for temperature, fan speed, and volume are conveniently located beneath the central air vents.
The Lucid Air's interior is remarkably spacious, comfortably accommodating four adults with room for a fifth in the center rear seat. Passengers consistently praised the cabin's ambiance, noting the inviting warmth of the Tahoe leather, even on warm days. Rear-seat occupants enjoy generous headroom and legroom, complemented by USB-C ports and a central console display to control the rear sunshades and climate. Families will appreciate the easily accessible ISOFIX anchors. Cargo capacity is another strong suit. The front trunk (frunk) offers an impressive 10 cubic feet (283L) for an electric sedan. In comparison, the deep primary trunk provides 22.1 cubic feet (627L) of space, easily accommodating luggage, golf bags, or holiday shopping.
The Lucid Air's performance is directly tied to its trim level, ranging from the capable base Pure to the mind-boggling Sapphire, which rockets from 0-60 mph in just 2.0 seconds. Our test vehicle, the mid-range Touring model, delivers a thrilling 620 horsepower and 884 lb-ft of torque, achieving 60 mph in a brisk 3.6 seconds. While its official range is up to 653 km (406 mi), our real-world testing in warm weather yielded an efficiency of 5.48 km/kWh, translating to a practical range of approximately 505 km (314 mi). Notably, with the A/C off, we nearly matched the official figures. The Air supports rapid charging, capable of regaining up to 300 km (186 mi) of range in just 15 minutes. It's important to note that the Air uses a CCS port, thus requiring an adapter for Tesla's NACS chargers.
Behind the wheel, the Lucid Air is a revelation. It masterfully balances comfort and sportiness. In 'Smooth' mode, it's a quiet, effortless cruiser, while 'Sprint' mode tightens the responses for a more spirited drive. Unlike some competitors, the driving experience is gratifying. The steering is precise yet smooth, the adaptive suspension is perfectly balanced, and the brakes are confident. This is not just a straight-line rocket; it's a car that genuinely engages the driver, making even a simple airport run an event. It was, without exaggeration, a vehicle that brought a smile to our faces every time we drove it.
The Lucid Air raises the bar for the luxury EV segment, delivering a superior driving experience wrapped in a stunning design. The Touring trim, in particular, represents the sweet spot: offering exceptional value with its beautiful aesthetics, spacious interior, and engaging dynamics. While its price is significant, the car justifies it by being a compelling daily driver with a very long range. Lucid has arrived not just as a competitor but as a serious threat to established players like Tesla, and that's a win for everyone.
Disclaimer: Lucid has lent us the vehicle as a press loan. We have no affiliation with Lucid Canada. The above reflects our personal opinion of the cars referred to above.
