I Chose The Lucid Air Touring Over Tesla and BMW, And This Is My 1st Impression After Cross-Shopping Five Luxury EVs

There’s a certain kind of satisfaction that comes from watching an underdog finally swing for the fences and connect. The Lucid Air, once a shadowy whisper among Tesla-choked forums and vaporware rumor mills, has finally rolled onto real asphalt. And sweet hell, it’s not just good. It’s devastatingly good. In a world where electric vehicles are increasingly just oversized iPads on roller skates, the Lucid Air is a scalpel, a masterclass in engineering that finally puts a real luxury EV on the map with the handling poise of a sports sedan and the refinement that makes a Taycan start sweating under its tightly-wrapped German leather.

Overcoming Challenges to Win Over Enthusiasts

Lucid’s success didn’t come easy, and that’s exactly what makes it resonate so deeply with the enthusiast crowd. We’ve seen years of delays, press events full of promises, early test drives peppered with “almosts,” and a slowly growing service network trying to keep up with a car that already feels a generation ahead. But now that it’s here, the Air delivers on nearly every promise. When these cars finally got to customer's hands, they fell in love with them, here’s one example of that:

“Picked up my Touring Zenith Red stealth today. Told myself I'd post pics of this combo since I wasn't able to find many myself, and of course, I only have my wife's pics 😆

I considered the Model 3, Model S, i4 M50, i5 M60, and i7. Half day has been fun, with the exception of the fuzzy bass coming from the front (SS Pro). It's like the front speakers are trying to reproduce bass they can't handle. I guess I'll make a low-bass playlist!”

There’s a certain poetry to that quote, equal parts gearhead confession and consumer report. It’s also telling. This wasn’t someone blindly leaping into a new tech-laden machine; it was someone who lined up the best in the business, Tesla’s Model S, BMW’s i7 and i4 M50, the all-new i5 M60, and still chose Lucid. Yes, there’s a small quirk with the speaker system, but that doesn’t dissuade the joy. In fact, the community is almost celebratory about such imperfections, as if they’re proof this car was built by passionate engineers and not sanitized by a focus group.

Lucid Air Touring vs. Tesla Model S: In-Depth Performance & Specs Comparison

• The Lucid Air Touring is equipped with a 620-horsepower dual-motor setup, achieving 0-60 mph in approximately 3.4 seconds. It offers an EPA-rated range of 406 miles. In contrast, the Tesla Model S features a 670-horsepower dual-motor configuration, accelerating from 0-60 mph in about 3.1 seconds, with an EPA-rated range of 410 miles. While the Model S has a slight edge in acceleration and range, the differences are marginal and may not significantly impact daily driving experiences. ​
• The Lucid Air Touring emphasizes luxury with high-quality materials and a spacious cabin design. It integrates advanced driver-assistance systems, including LiDAR-based DreamDrive technology, and supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Tesla Model S, known for its minimalist interior, relies heavily on its central touchscreen for controls and does not support Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Additionally, the Model S offers Tesla's Autopilot system, which provides semi-autonomous driving capabilities. ​
• Both vehicles support fast-charging capabilities; however, Tesla's proprietary Supercharger network offers widespread and reliable access, providing a significant advantage for long-distance travel. Lucid owners rely on third-party charging networks, which may vary in availability and reliability. This distinction in charging infrastructure could influence the convenience of ownership, especially for those who frequently undertake long trips.

Driving dynamics are where the Lucid Air throws haymakers. The thing doesn’t just accelerate, it flows. Unlike many EVs that go from zero to sixty in a flash but corner-like filing cabinets, the Air feels taut, composed, and surprisingly analog in its feedback. It’s a rare bird: a battery-powered flagship that can out-handle most German sedans while delivering a ride supple enough to shame your chiropractor.

And the forums, lucidowners.com, lucid-forum.com, are absolutely brimming with praise. One thread even compared the Air’s road feel to a 7 Series, only with the reflexes of a Cayman. That’s no small compliment.

Where Luxury Meets Unmatched Driving Passion

But the true measure of a car isn’t just its numbers, it’s how it fits into your life, and how it makes you feel. The Lucid Air nails both. Owners are as enamored with the stealth paint codes and speaker tuning quirks as they are with the absurd 400+ mile range. You’ll find entire posts dedicated to software update strategies and service center experiences. There’s a sense of community, of shared discovery, of owning something genuinely special. No one’s writing odes to the latest crossover. But the Air? It inspires.

Lucid Motors Leadership Changes and the Lucid Gravity

• Peter Rawlinson, who played a pivotal role in developing the Lucid Air and the company's technological advancements, has stepped down as CEO. He will continue to contribute as a Strategic Technical Advisor to the Chairman of the Board. Marc Winterhoff, the Chief Operating Officer, has been appointed interim CEO while the company searches for a permanent successor. This leadership change occurs as Lucid aims to scale production and expand its market presence. ​
• Rawlinson's departure raises questions about Lucid's strategic direction, especially given his integral role in product development and engineering. The transition may affect investor confidence and internal dynamics, potentially influencing the company's ability to execute its growth plans effectively. ​
• Amidst the leadership transition, Lucid is preparing to launch the Gravity SUV, its second vehicle model. The Gravity aims to compete in the luxury electric SUV market, offering advanced technology and performance. The successful introduction and reception of the Gravity are crucial for Lucid's efforts to diversify its product lineup and achieve sustainable growth.

Now, let’s talk reality. The biggest Achilles’ heel for Lucid isn’t the product, it’s the infrastructure. If you’re lucky enough to live near a service center, you’ll have a good experience. If not, getting repairs can feel like sending a carrier pigeon across state lines. Anecdotally, I’ve noticed more Lucid Airs (and Rivians) clustered around their respective service hubs, like EVs migrating toward their charging oases. Is that statistically sound data? Not remotely. But it does raise a point: the EV experience is still tethered to proximity.

Tackling Infrastructure and Service Challenges Head-On

Still, once you’re behind the wheel, those concerns tend to fade into the rearview mirror. The Air isn’t just a luxury EV, it’s a statement. It’s a repudiation of the idea that EVs must either be sterile tech showcases or drag-strip vehicles built for roll racing.

The Air is elegant. It’s fast. It’s balanced. Most importantly, it drives like it was tuned by people who still believe a car should do more than just move you from A to B, it should move you.

The Lucid Air’s Bold Reawakening of Luxury EV Performance

So yes, the bass might be a little fuzzy, and your service center might be a few hundred miles away. But when you press the accelerator and feel that effortless surge, when the road curves and the chassis leans in with precision, when you sit back in that cabin trimmed with actual craftsmanship, not recycled Tupperware, you’ll understand. This isn’t just a car. It’s a comeback. A reawakening. The Lucid Air is what happens when luxury, performance, and purpose finally meet in a battery-powered future that doesn’t forget how to drive.

Image Sources: Facebook Group Lucid Owners Club, Lucid Media Center

Noah Washington is an automotive journalist based in Atlanta, Georgia. He enjoys covering the latest news in the automotive industry and conducting reviews on the latest cars. He has been in the automotive industry since 15 years old and has been featured in prominent automotive news sites. You can reach him on X and LinkedIn for tips and to follow his automotive coverage.