Online forums show increasing numbers of Model S and Model 3 owners trading in their vehicles for the Lucid Air.
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The automotive landscape is shifting once again. Just as Tesla’s cult-like following rewired the industry’s expectations in the late 2010s, a new wave of electrified true believers is rallying behind Lucid Motors. Founded in 2007 but only recently gaining real traction, the California-based EV upstart is enticing disillusioned Tesla owners with its promise of luxury, cutting-edge efficiency, and a driving experience that feels more like a precision-engineered grand tourer.
The migration is happening in real-time, and the signs aren’t just in spreadsheets and sales figures, they’re in Reddit threads, online forums, and the unfiltered words of former Tesla loyalists considering a switch.
Take this Tesla Model 3 owner, for example, who recently voiced their dilemma in the r/LucidMotors subreddit,
“I currently drive a Tesla M3 and want a more cozy, premium EV experience... I think I’d be tickled pink with either the Touring or GT.”
This sentiment echoes what many former Tesla owners have been saying for years, while Musk’s cars are fast, tech-forward, and backed by the best charging infrastructure in the game, they often feel sterile inside, lacking the warmth and craftsmanship of traditional luxury brands. Lucid is capitalizing on that gap, marketing the Air as a true premium alternative, one that doesn’t just match Tesla’s performance and range but enhances the overall driving experience with a more refined interior and advanced engineering. It’s the same formula Tesla used in 2012 with the Model S, only now the roles are reversed.
But before we proceed I want to put things in a bigger picture for you as Tesla just made a very big move in China with a second Megafactory, aiming to change the game from a different angle. Look also this video report from the Torque News Youtube channel.
DreamDrive: Is It Worth It?
One of the biggest concerns raised in the Reddit post was whether Lucid’s semi-autonomous driving suite, DreamDrive, can match the low-effort freeway driving experience of Tesla’s Autopilot. “I don’t care about the last-mile stuff or lane changing,” the original poster wrote. “I just want to dial down my brain a bit on long freeway stretches.” A Lucid owner responded bluntly,
“DreamDrive Pro will be your hands-free option once it’s fully implemented. Right now I’d say it’s as good as a 20-year-old new driver.”
Ouch. The reality is that while DreamDrive is packed with impressive hardware, lidar, radar, cameras, and ultrasonic sensors, its software is still catching up. Tesla has had years to refine its system, and even then, Full Self-Driving remains a moving target. Lucid’s advantage is its forward-thinking approach; the hardware is already in place, and software improvements are expected. But for now, if a rock-solid driver-assistance system is a dealbreaker, Tesla still holds the upper hand.
Charging anxiety is another major sticking point. The Reddit poster worried about Lucid’s ability to handle Level 1 (120V) charging, saying, “I’ve seen comments claiming only 1-2 miles of charge on 120V (or even losing charge!), which worries me.” A Lucid owner clarified, “Charging on 120 is perfectly fine as long as you don’t need a lot of miles.” Translation? It’s survivable for short commutes, but if you’re relying on 120V for daily charging, prepare for frustration. A 240V setup, or at least access to DC fast chargers, is essential.
Fortunately, Lucid recently announced compatibility with Tesla’s Supercharger network, thanks to its adoption of the North American Charging Standard (NACS). This is a game-changer, effectively eliminating Tesla’s longtime advantage in charging infrastructure. The original poster acknowledged this, saying, “Electrify America alone seems to have a comparable network today to when I was Tesla road tripping in 2019.” Between the growing Electrify America footprint and upcoming Supercharger access, the Lucid Air is becoming a much more viable road trip machine.
For many buyers, range is king. The Air Touring offers an EPA-estimated 425 miles, while the Grand Touring stretches that to 516 miles. The Reddit poster wondered if the $30,000 price difference was justified, particularly for long-distance travel. A seasoned Lucid owner weighed in: “If money isn’t a problem, I’d always suggest getting the highest trim here since the extra 100 miles gives you nice wiggle room when traveling. I’m more prone to drive faster, so knowing I have more miles makes range anxiety a thing of the past.”
This is where Lucid shines. Thanks to its ultra-efficient motors and 900V electrical architecture, the Air delivers a Tesla-beating range without needing a gigantic battery pack. Even the base Air Pure (which starts at $77,400) offers 410 miles, outpacing the Tesla Model S Long Range. If road-tripping peace of mind is a priority, the Grand Touring is the move. But for those who rarely venture beyond city limits, the Touring offers plenty of range without the added cost.
Glass Roof: A Solar Oven or a Non-Issue?
Tesla’s panoramic glass roofs have long been a source of contention, with many owners complaining that they turn the cabin into a greenhouse in the summer. The Reddit poster wanted to know if Lucid had the same problem,
“Does the glass roof heat up the cabin as bad as the Teslas do?”
Lucid owners were quick to reassure,
“Looks-wise, the glass roof is much nicer and more premium feel. They also sell inserts that completely block out the sun if you are doing longer trips. If you go with glass, I’d suggest pre-cooling the car whenever possible.”
Lucid’s infrared-reflective glass and optional sunshades help mitigate heat buildup, but ultimately, it’s still a giant piece of glass. If you live in Arizona and don’t have a garage, you might want to consider the metal-roofed Air Pure instead.
Lucid’s Trajectory: The Next Tesla or a Different Path?
Lucid’s rise is eerily reminiscent of Tesla’s early years. A small but passionate group of owners is spreading the word, offering brutally honest feedback, and helping refine the product through real-world experience. CEO Peter Rawlinson, who, not coincidentally, was the chief engineer on the Tesla Model S, has taken a deliberate, engineering-first approach that prioritizes quality over volume.
Unlike Tesla, however, Lucid isn’t trying to disrupt for the sake of disruption. Instead of a yoke steering wheel and beta-testing customers with unfinished software, Lucid is building an EV that feels more like a traditional luxury car, quiet, refined, and meticulously designed. The upcoming Lucid Gravity SUV will further expand the lineup, and rumors of a $50,000 Model 3 competitor suggest that Lucid has big plans for the future.
The Verdict: Should You Make the Switch?
For Tesla Model 3 owners looking for a more upscale, comfort-focused EV, the Lucid Air Touring is a compelling option. It delivers superior range, a vastly more luxurious interior, and soon, access to Tesla’s Supercharger network. However, there are still some concerns, DreamDrive needs more refinement, home charging on 120V isn’t ideal, and the Touring vs. Grand Touring debate depends largely on how much range you actually need.
But if the growing legion of Lucid evangelists is anything to go by, the switch might just be worth it. Tesla revolutionized the EV world; Lucid is perfecting it.
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.
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DreamDrive now has driver…
DreamDrive now has driver initiated lane changes with the signal stalk and it works smoothly, although it's not always available. But unlike Tesla, where you need to apply torque to keep the lane centering engaged, and apply a tiny bit more torque to disengage it, Lucid doesn't have that tenuous balancing act where it's easy to disengage by mistake.
Lucid has cooperative steering. If you are in a lane and bias to one side, easing up on the steering wheel lets the car move back to the center. If you signal and try to change lanes manually, it will let you, recognize the new lane, and take over the steering. That's one area where imo Tesla really screwed up.
Overall, FSD does a lot more. But you don't get to drive a Lucid.
Range on a Lucid is much better. With a NEMA 14-50 outlet, the same that I used for my Teslas, I get 40 miles of range per hour added. I could double that with a Lucid wall connector but I don't need it. At 120v, I might get 6, but keep in mind that it depends on the trim and wheel size. If you are retired or have a short commute, you could get by with 120v, but if you are moving from a Tesla, you probably already have something in place.
A decade ago, I thought of the cost of upgrading my electrical outlet as part of the cost of the car. But since the cost was zero for subsequent cars, and the outlet will be there for life, I shouldn't have.
Charging on the road is a different thing. There's enough range that you might not have to. Mine can add up to 200 miles of range in 13 minutes. But if you are on a road trip, make that extra stop to arrive with plenty of range.
I made the mistake of not doing that in Los Angeles. Unlike the Tesla network, EA (free with my car) is less reliable. The problem is that if 9 out of 10 work, you might find that the app shows the broken one as available, but when you show up, there's a line that's half an hour long since everyone thought that something was available. On the road, it's not a problem.
The Gravity will charge fast at Tesla Superchargers. The Air will need an adapter and charging will be slow, until Tesla deploys V4. In the meantime, Tesla's 400v chargers won't work well with the Air.
It's a learning experience, and I can easily make most trips with no charging stop, but if you make the minimum stops recommended by health experts and charge when you should be stopped anyway, you won't have any issues. That's especially true if you stay at hotels with charging.
Overall, the latest FSD works well, but I got rid of my Tesla before it got to that stage. On balance I can do fine with Lucid's Dream Drive. On a long trip, most is highway driving anyway.
Lucid renamed Highway Assist to Drive Assist, so it might end up working on more than just limited access highways.
I'm glad it's been working…
I'm glad it's been working well for you, how long have you had the Lucid?
I just trade in my 2023…
I just trade in my 2023 Model Y last week for a new Lucid Air Touring. The current incentives on a Lucid are exceptional. The lease price was $658/mo (which includes the taxes). The lease price on a "new" Foundation Model Y is $753/mo (also with taxes included). And the Lucid Air Touring is: a true Luxury Vehicle, is better looking, larger, much faster (3.4 sec. 0-60), longer range (406 miles), faster charging (200 miles in 16 min.), quieter, smoother, better handling (has an adjustable suspension), has a "real" leather interior, has a screen in front of the driver (not a golf cart dash), has better seats, and I don't have to worry about getting my car Keyed because the company CEO is doing Nazi Salutes.
When I brought my last Model…
When I brought my last Model S to the Tesla repair shop, told them that my S model year 16 had better finish and performance than my S modelyear 18, I was told that Tesla has decided to go for volume not quality (sic)! We now have an Air Touring, no major problems, no range problems, but Electrify America is still not were it needs to be. However, Shell and now Tesla chargers eliminate this. I will never go for a Tesla again, but now am solid in Luvid and BMW iX , which we also drive and also is an alternative of superior quality, camp.