Safety features are extensive, from forward and reverse collision warning to traffic sign recognition and front and rear parking sensors to stop-and-go adaptive cruise control.
Every Lucid Air comes is equipped with a "floating" 34-inch screen display on the dash and a 12.5-inch “pilot panel. ”Five model years into its manufacturing, Lucid Motors is experiencing the success it sought when the company was founded nearly 20 years ago.
Almost always referred to as a competitor of Tesla, Lucid began small. It introduced the Air as a full-sized electric luxury sports sedan in 2022. Industry curiosity followed. Sales were woeful.
But in 2025, Lucid’s network expanded to 825 locations in 46 states. Sales surpassed 15,000, about 5,000 more than in 2024. Formerly called Atieva, Lucid remains headquartered in Newark. Production of the Lucid Air, including the reviewed 2026 Touring model is now in Casa Grande, Ariz.
The company’s first electric sport utility vehicle, the Gravity, debuted in late 2024. Lucid’s success continues with the company’s fourth CEO, Silvio Napoli. Earlier this year, Napoli replaced Peter Rawlinson, the former head engineer for the Tesla Model S. Much has been written about Rawlinson’s frustration with Tesla founder Elon Musk and the duo’s long-defunct business relationship. The Air joins a small corps of high-end electric sedans.
Besides several Tesla models, competitors include the Audi RS e-tron GT, BMW i5 and i7, Mercedes-Benz EQS and Porsche Taycan. Available in Pure, Touring, Grand Touring, and the super luxury, super expensive Sapphire trim, the Air lineup defines high performance and handsomeness. It’s a “the-future-is-now” vehicle that redefines the luxury sedan. Lucid has done a superior job efficiently keeping interior driving components to a minimalist’s rejoice.
The Air is a sedan with breathing room, particularly on models equipped with a glass canopy. Push the “floating” visors to the side and the front view is reminiscent of a bulbous portal. But there’s one issue If the vehicle is parked for long in an exposed area, the expansive glass canopy can quickly become hot. The trunk has a low opening, which provides easy access to 22.1 cubic feet of all-useable trunk space.
There’s also a sizable, hidden well under the trunk and a 10-cubic-foot frunk. The matte leather is made from sustainable sources, with quality stitching and soft-touch, textured surfaces. Every Lucid Air comes is equipped with a “floating” 34-inch screen display on the dash and a 12.5-inch “pilot panel. ” It flips down on the center console.
Physical controls include minimal HVAC buttons, manually adjustable vents, steering wheel controls for the ADAS systems and the sound system’s volume knob. Many other functions are done on the screens. Safety features are extensive, from forward and reverse collision warning to traffic sign recognition and front and rear parking sensors to stop-and-go adaptive cruise control. A unique, helpful feature is a notification presented in decreasing inches as the front of the vehicle approaches a parking barrier.
The Air Touring is one trim more expensive than the entry-level Pure model. It includes a second motor, all-wheel drive, a total of 620 horsepower and 885 lb-ft of torque. Acceleration is promoted as 0-to-60 miles per hour in 3.4 seconds. But the car feels quicker and its power is quiet at all speeds.
A power frunk and a 700-volt electrical architecture for faster charging are also standard. The electric range is 396 miles. More efficient, the Air has regenerative braking, reducing the occasions when a driver has to brake. The system has personal preference options for the “one-pedal” operation.
Some one-pedal vehicles have abrupt stops. But when a driver removes their foot from the Air’s accelerator, speed reduction is smooth. Also, there’s no ignition. Have the key rectangular fob nearby, put the car in drive and accelerate.
Likewise, there’s no manual locking. Exit the vehicle in park and the doors lock and the handles recess flush in about 20 seconds. The Lucid Air Touring starts at $79,900. The review vehicle had several keen but pricy options, including the driving assistance package to a 21-speaker sound system .
With the remaining optional equipment and fees, the final tally increased to $107,050. It’s a hefty price. But it’s a worthy purchase for an underdog luxury electric sedan in a segment in which superior car-making reigns. James Raia is a syndicated automotive columnist in Sacramento.
He also contributes business, lifestyle, sports and travel articles to several print and online publications. Email: james@jamesraia.com.
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