2022 Lucid Air Review New Air EV Sedan Models CarBuzz

2022 Lucid Air Review New Air EV Sedan Models CarBuzz

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2022 Lucid Air

AirAir SapphireAir 202320222022 $87,400 - $169,000 Price Range (MSRP) Build and Price 2022 Lucid Air For Sale Fastest Sedans Sedans With Best MPG Lucid Motors Sedans Lucid Motors Electric Cars Review Exterior Interior Trims & Specs Performance Safety & Reliability 51 Photos Compare insurance prices: Save an average of $440 Free Quote

2022 Lucid Air Review The New Gold Standard

by Gerhard Horn The 2022 Lucid Air is the next big step forward in the EV evolution. The Tesla Model S carried the torch for an entire decade, but it now has to hand it over to a car designed by the same man. Lucid's CEO was the main engineer behind the Model S, which makes the Air a spiritual successor of sorts. Since Tesla doesn't seem to be bothered to replace the Model S, Lucid came along and did it for Musk & Co. But what makes this car so special? In short, it's the perfect blend of old and new. The team behind Lucid got rid of everything the car as an entity no longer needs while retaining and improving on everything we love about it. Despite being a technological marvel with semi-autonomous functionality, rapid charging, a 500+ mile driving range, and a 1,111-horsepower halo model capable of doing 0-60 in 2.5 seconds, it's also genuinely luxurious. While the Mercedes EQS Sedan is essentially a massive touchscreen with five seats, the Air is the perfect blend of luxury and sophistication ready to stand the test of time. And despite all of that, it's also fun to drive. The Tesla is faster, the Mercedes more well-known, and the BMW i7 more obnoxiously styled. But the Lucid Air does it all. In one package. The future is here.

Read in this review

Exterior Design 10 /10 Performance 10 /10 Fuel Economy 10 /10 Interior & Cargo 10 /10 Infotainment & Features 10 /10 Reliability 8 /10 Safety 9 /10 Value For Money 8 /10 9.4 What is BuzzScore?

2022 Lucid Air Changes What s the difference vs 2021 Air

The Air was all-new for 2021 after a development process that took nearly a full decade. So it's understandable that for 2022, not much has changed. With the Dream Edition on the verge of being done and dusted (it was only available in limited numbers), Lucid has launched a follow-up trim called the Grand Touring Performance. Replete with 1,050 hp, 446 miles of range, and all-wheel drive, it's a new range-topper for those who couldn't get the 1-of-250 Dream Edition they wanted.

Pros and Cons

Fantastic designGroundbreaking rangeExtremely fast charging abilityLuxury cabinCompetitively pricedAn EV with exceptional driving dynamics Minor teething issuesA lot to spend on an unproven manufacturerWind noiseProhibitive price

Best Deals on 2022 Lucid Air

2022 Lucid Motors Air Grand Touring $139,894 1,989 miles 2022 Lucid Motors Air Dream Edition $169,980 2,391 miles Fair Deal $10,500 below 2022 Lucid Motors Air Dream Edition $182,989 880 miles Fair Deal Average price 2022 Lucid Motors Air Grand Touring $143,788 212 miles Fair Deal Average price See All Air For Sale

2022 Lucid Air Trims

See trim levels and configurations: Trim Engine Transmission Drivetrain Price (MSRP) Air Pure Electric Single Speed Automatic Rear-Wheel Drive All-Wheel Drive $87,400 Air Touring Electric Single Speed Automatic All-Wheel Drive $107,400 Air Grand Touring Electric Single Speed Automatic All-Wheel Drive $154,000 Air Dream Edition Electric Single Speed Automatic All-Wheel Drive $169,000 See All 2022 Lucid Air Trims and Specs

Handling and Driving Impressions

For a 5,000 lbs sedan, the Air is surprisingly nimble. Part of that is down to the center of gravity, which is extremely low due to the battery placement. We also get the impression that Lucid spent many manhours refining the driving experience, and it ended up with a car that actually feels quite old-school. The steering is quick, and it doesn't feel artificial. Unlike every other EV, the Lucid's brake pedal is not connected to the regenerative braking system. That's a completely separate system that functions in the background. As a result, the brake pedal also provides real feel instead of some software engineer's idea of what a brake pedal should feel like. Most surprising of all is the traditional coil springs. Lucid decided against the segment standard air springs. This isn't a criticism, though, as the Air doesn't feel overly sprung or bouncy in any way. It rides with compliance and connection in equal measure and is capable of being both comfortable and dynamically talented. It also keeps the driving modes remarkably simple. You get Smooth, Swift, and Sprint. Sprint will only be used on the odd occasion you want to showcase the ferocious acceleration. You'll occasionally use Swift when feeling a bit naughty, but most of the time, the car will be in Smooth. This driving mode delivers exactly what it promises, which is a remarkably polished ride for a car on a traditional steel suspension. In Swift mode, the car feels comically fast, but even with so much power, the Air is predictable. You quickly settle into a rhythm, knowing exactly how the car is going to respond if you reach the limit. One more bonus point for having a standard suspension setup instead of multiple ride heights and springs that constantly adapt to the driving conditions. The only criticism is noticeable wind and road noise, but this is something we've noticed on other EVs before. With no engine noise to disguise other annoying sounds, EVs have nowhere to hide when it comes to sound insulation. It doesn't spoil the experience, but something Lucid needs to keep in mind when working on a future facelift. Now Buzzing First Drive 2023 Toyota Crown First Drive Review: A Tale Of Two Hybrids Electric Vehicles Tesla Cybertruck Spotted With Production-Ready Rear End Sports Cars 2023 BMW M2 Coming With Optional Center-Lock Wheels Crash Watch A Seventh-Gen Toyota Hilux Truck Launch Into The Air After Losing Control Auctions One-Off Plymouth Barracuda Four-Door Is A Muscle Car Unicorn Tuning 700-Horsepower 2023 Nissan Z By AMS Performance Hits Nine-Second Quarter Mile

Verdict Is the 2022 Lucid Air a good car

To put this bluntly: Yes. It might be the most important car in a decade. The Tesla Model S sucker-punched the automotive industry in the gut. Until it came along, legacy manufacturers felt content and safe, knowing EVs couldn't possibly compete with their products. Tesla forced the automotive industry to innovate, but the world's most successful EV manufacturer has stagnated in the decade since. Every once in a while, it will upload some new feature like a farting sound, but that's not innovation. These are just little amusements to keep Tesla fanboys happy. It's no secret that the man behind the Model S is also behind the Lucid Air. Instead of stagnating with his original employers, he decided not just to improve on a winning recipe but rethink the car as an entity. Thanks to hundreds of large and small creative solutions, Lucid has ended up with a vehicle that sets the new standard. This combines S-Class luxury with Model S innovation. Think the Mercedes EQS Sedan is the S-Class of EVs? Think again. This is. If ever there was a car to convince the last few naysayers to convert to electricity, this is it.

Check out other Lucid Motors Air Styles

Air Sapphire

2022 Lucid Air Comparisons

Tesla Porsche

2022 Lucid Air vs Tesla Model S

The Lucid Air was designed by the same man responsible for bringing the Tesla Model S to market, and it shows. The Air takes everything that makes the Model S such a great product and builds on it. While a model S Plaid may be the fastest thing of four wheels, the Air is better in every other department and not far behind in a straight line either. The main difference between these two cars is quality control. We keep hearing horror stories about Tesla's poor build quality, while the Air is a masterpiece. The Air is also more spacious and feels like a genuine S-Class rival while the Model S is now Mercedes money for nothing but tech and performance. We said before that the Model S is the new S-Class because it keeps moving the goalpost like the S-Class used to do. The Lucid Air now takes over that title. Not only is it the most innovative and modern car you can buy, but it's also wonderfully plush. See Tesla Model S Review

2022 Lucid Air vs Porsche Taycan Turbo

The Taycan Turbo is a direct rival as far as price goes, but it will likely appeal to a different kind of buyer. The Lucid is a big luxury sedan, while the Taycan is more petite. Still, Lucid used the BMW E39 M5 as a benchmark for handling, so it does have some sporty aspirations. It shows, but the Porsche remains more agile. There are a few big differences though. The two cars are similarly priced to start, but the Lucid provides more range than the base Taycan's meager 282 miles at 406 miles. The differences become more vast as you climb the trim ladder, as the Porsche reaches a starting price of $187,400 for the Turbo S with only 278 miles of range and 750 hp. It might match the Lucid Air Dream Edition to 60 mph, but then you still have to pay for extras, many of which are standard on the Air. The Air is more spacious, has a bigger trunk, and still drives well, all at a 'discount' price. You'll prefer the Taycan if you want a car that feels more like a sports car, but for any other type of buyer, the Lucid crushes this comparison. See Porsche Taycan Turbo Review

2022 Lucid Air Popular Comparisons

The most popular competitors of 2022 Lucid Air: Audi RS e-tron GT $142,400 Price (MSRP) Compare Tesla Model S Plaid $135,990 Price (MSRP) Compare Genesis Electrified G80 $79,825 Price (MSRP) Compare Mercedes-Benz EQE Sedan $74,900 - $85,900 Price (MSRP) Compare Kia EV9 TBC Price (MSRP) See All 5 Comparisons

Lucid Air News

Technology 1 2022 Lucid Air Gets Extensive Software Update Giving The Electric Car A New Lease Of Life Lucid UX 2.0 introduces more convenience and safety features to the sleek sedan. Technology 0 Carmakers Find Smart Solution To Pack Cars With More Tech There's now a much easier way to pay for technology patents. Industry News 2 Getting A New Lucid EV Is Going To Be Really Hard Now High-level execs have left Lucid, raising production concerns. LoginSign Up Home News Features Car Reviews Car Advice 2021 CarBuzz Awards New Cars Used Cars Future Cars Compare Cars Sell My Car Car Dealerships Buy Here Pay Here Used Car Reviews Popular Tags Cars # Video # TOP # Spy Shots # Reveal # Rumor # Auto Show # Supercar # Tuning # Car Culture # Industry News # Motorsport Acura Alfa Romeo Aston Martin Audi Bentley BMW Bollinger Bugatti Buick Cadillac Caterham Chevrolet Chrysler Dodge Ferrari Fiat Fisker Ford Genesis GMC Hennessey Honda Hyundai Infiniti Jaguar Jeep Karma Kia Koenigsegg Lamborghini Land Rover Lexus Lincoln Lordstown Lotus Lucid Motors Maserati Mazda McLaren Mercedes-Benz Mini Mitsubishi Nissan Pagani Polestar Porsche Ram Rimac Rivian Rolls-Royce Spyker Subaru Tesla Toyota Volkswagen Volvo By Make Acura Alfa Romeo Aston Martin Audi Bentley BMW Bollinger Bugatti Buick Cadillac Caterham Chevrolet Chrysler Dodge Ferrari Fiat Fisker Ford Genesis GMC Hennessey Honda Hyundai Infiniti Jaguar Jeep Karma Kia Koenigsegg Lamborghini Land Rover Lexus Lincoln Lordstown Lotus Lucid Motors Maserati Mazda McLaren Mercedes-Benz Mini Mitsubishi Nissan Pagani Polestar Porsche Ram Rimac Rivian Rolls-Royce Spyker Subaru Tesla Toyota Volkswagen Volvo By Car Type SUVs Crossovers Sedans Coupes Trucks Sports Cars Wagons Vans Hatchbacks Convertibles Small Cars Luxury Cars Electric Cars Hybrid Cars Future Cars By Price Up to $15K $15K - $25K $25K - $35K $35K - $45K $45K - $55K $55K - $75K $75K - $100K $100K - $200K $200K - $300K Above $300K Back To Top
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