10 Reasons Why The Lucid Air Is The Best Electric Car In 2023
The automotive industry is no stranger to startups attempting to disrupt the market with innovative EVs. However, few have made as notable an impact as the Lucid Air, the luxury sedan from this quite new automaker. As was already the case with the 2022 Lucid Air, the 2023 model turns heads and makes waves in the EV market with its sleek design, spacious interior, and lightning-fast acceleration In fact, the Lucid Air is being hailed by many as one of the best electric cars currently available, no less. This car represents an exciting new chapter in the world of electric vehicles, and it will be fascinating to see how it shapes the future of the industry.
In addition to the aspects already mentioned, the Lucid Air 2023 stands out for its impressive range, advanced battery technology, and smooth, quiet ride. Certainly, this is a luxury car from a company that wants to live up to the best of Tesla or Rivian by building its own identity based on permanent innovation. For now, not much more than the Lucid Air is available, but that was enough for them to win Motor Trend’s award not for Best Electric Car of 2022, but for Best Car of 2022 overall.
1 The Air Offers A Revolutionary Range
Front three-quarter view of Lucid Air Sapphire driving.
The estimated driving range of 516 miles according to the EPA is a major advantage that sets the Lucid Air 2023 apart from other electric vehicles on the market. This impressive range puts the Lucid Air at the top of its class, surpassing many other electric vehicles, Tesla included. Anyway, that runs for the higher trim levels: for the base version, the Pure, the range is 410 Miles, which is still an impressive number. The Lucid Air achieves this outstanding range through its advanced battery technology and innovative engineering. In this sense, the Lucid Air 2023 represents a significant step forward in the world of electric vehicles, and its exceptional range is just one of the many reasons why it could be called the best electric car in the world.
2 Unleashing Unprecedented Power
Front view Lucid Air Sapphire on a salt flat
If you look for example at the power of the 2022 Lucid Air Dream Edition and Dream Edition Performance, they were capable of producing 933- and 1111 horsepower, respectively. While those numbers were already quite impressive, the brand decided to go even further and achieve statistics that are out of this world. The Lucid Air 2023 boasts exceptional performance: with an entry-level model featuring a single electric motor that produces 480 horsepower and other models boasting dual electric motors and all-wheel drive, the Lucid Air delivers impressive power. The Touring model generates 620 horses, while the Grand Touring makes a staggering 1,050 horsepower. For those who want even more power, the 2023 Lucid Air Sapphire performance model features a three-motor drivetrain that provides over 1,200 horsepower. The world of EVs continues to grow in this regard.
3 Lightning-Fast Acceleration
Aerial view of a Lucid Air Touring in a curve
The Lucid Air 2023’s impressive acceleration is yet another aspect that makes it probably the best electric car on the market. The entry-level Touring model can reach 60 MPH in just 3.0 seconds, which is a remarkable feat. However, it is the Grand Touring Performance model that really stands out with its lightning-fast acceleration of just 2.6 seconds to 60 MPH. In fact, the new Sapphire model is even quicker, with a claimed 60 MPH time of under 2.0 seconds. This acceleration puts the Lucid Air 2023 ahead of many of its competitors, including the Tesla Model S Plaid (although Tesla insists its 0-60 MPH acceleration is 1.99 seconds). Anyway, there is not much to argue about: Lucid has taken the lead in terms of performance, perhaps because it has been able to concentrate almost entirely on this single car.
4 The Air Is Not Cheap, But Offers Good Value
Front three-quarters shot of a Lucid Air Dream Edition Performance
While the Lucid Air 2023 may not be considered a cheap car with its starting price of $89,050 for the Pure model, it is certainly a good value when compared to its competitors. The higher-end models, such as the Grand Touring and the new Sapphire, are certainly more expensive ($155,650 and $250,650 respectively), but they also offer unparalleled performance and luxury features. In terms of affordability, the Lucid Air can certainly be considered one of the best affordable electric cars on the market, especially when compared to the likes of the Porsche Taycan and Mercedes-Benz EQS. In any case, if we take into account everything that has been said up to this point, the Lucid Air price makes it one of the best value electric cars available.
5 Fast And Free: Impressive Charging System
Close up view of Lucid Air Sapphire dual motor unit.
The Lucid Air 2023’s battery and charging system are impressive. The vehicle has a peak DC fast-charging rate of 250 kW, which means that the sedan can recharge quickly. In just 21 minutes, the car can recoup 300 Miles of range (and 200 Miles in just 12 minutes) when plugged into a fast charger. Additionally, new owners receive three years of free fast charging at Electrify America charging stations, which helps to make it more affordable. Keep in mind that this is one of the most important challenges in the world of electric cars: the time you need to recharge them. Compared to an ICE, this is one of the biggest disadvantages of owning an EV (you don’t need twelve or ten minutes to put gas in). Reducing these values is clearly a priority for Lucid.
6 Impressive Fuel Economy For All Trim Levels
Front and side shot of a Lucid Air on a race track
The Lucid Air 2023 delivers impressive fuel economy, with the most efficient model, the Pure, rated at 140 MPGe combined, which is one of the highest ratings among electric cars these days. The Touring version also performed with a result of 140 MPGe. Even the high-performance versions, such as the Grand Touring and Performance, are rated at 131 and 121 MPGe combined, respectively, which is very good considering their power output. Despite these minor differences, all the trim levels offer excellent real-world efficiency and are great-value electric cars compared to their competitors. It should be noted that these statistics vary according to wheel type and other factors, so these numbers correspond to the most efficient versions available. This is important because it has a lot to do with the long-term cost of the vehicle.
7 Experience Luxury And Space In The Lucid Air
Lucid Air Touring cab and dashboard
The interior of the Lucid Air 2023 is a standout feature of the car, boasting a spacious and luxurious design: with its high-quality materials and advanced technology, the sedan provides a premium driving (and passenger) experience. The large back seat is one of the highlights of the Air because it offers ample space for up to three adults without any discomfort. The glass roof of the Air adds to the spacious feel of the interior, while also improving visibility. Compared to other electric vehicles, the Air has a remarkably large interior, with plenty of headroom, elbow room, and legroom in both the front and back seats. The wide-opening doors make getting in and out of the car effortless, and the Air’s overall design exudes a sense of luxury and sophistication.
8 Awesome Cargo Space And Storage Solutions
Rear view of Lucid Air Touring with the trunk open
In addition to the ample space for people, the Lucid Air 2023 also impresses with its capacity and cargo space. The sedan includes an impressive front center console that provides ample storage space, with a large center-console bin with a set of cupholders and slots to place a smartphone. In terms of cargo space, the Air offers a total of 26.1 cubic-feet, which is divided between a spacious 16.2 cubic-feet rear trunk and a 9.9 cubic-feet front trunk, or frunk. Notably, the frunk is larger than those of competitors such as the Tesla Model S and Porsche Taycan. While the trunk may not be very tall, it is deep and features an opening that spans the entire car’s width, making it easy to load and unload.
9 The Lucid Air’s Futuristic Infotainment System
View the screen of a Lucid Air Pure
The Lucid Air’s infotainment system is one of the most advanced on the market, with a large upper touchscreen that’s seamlessly integrated into the dashboard and a tablet-like lower touchscreen that’s retractable for added convenience. Keep an eye out for this fact: the screen is 34 inches and has a resolution of no less than 5K. The system includes advanced voice recognition software that can respond to natural speech patterns and an assistant that learns the user’s preferred music and climate settings. Recently, Lucid has incorporated wireless Apple CarPlay as standard, allowing drivers to connect their iPhones to the car’s infotainment system easily and quickly. The absence of such a system integrated as a standard was one of Lucid’s shortcomings, but they are obviously working to improve these aspects year by year.
10 A Sleek And Safe Design That Doesn’t Draw Polarizing Opinions
Side view of a Lucid Air Touring next to water
The Lucid Air 2023’s design is not only aesthetically pleasing but also highly functional. The sedan boasts a remarkably low drag coefficient of 0.197, making it one of the most aerodynamic vehicles in the world. The car’s sleek shape draws inspiration from aircraft design and is characterized by clean lines and smooth curves that create a fluid and dynamic form. Even functional features like autonomous driving sensors were seamlessly incorporated into the design. While the Lucid Air 2023 has not yet been tested by the NHTSA, it includes many of the safety features recommended by the institution, such as forward collision warning, crash imminent braking, lane departure warning, and dynamic brake support. In other words, exterior design and safety have been carefully aligned to achieve the best possible results.