I'm Looking at a $70K Lucid Air But Consumer Reports Gave It a 7/100… Owners, Tell Me The Real Story

Consumer Reports recently lobbed a grenade into the Lucid Motors camp, slapping the Air with a 7/100 predicted reliability rating for the 2025 model year.

That’s the kind of score that makes potential buyers wonder if they’re about to sign up for a rolling disaster, a machine that will spend more time plugged into a service bay than a charger. But as with all things in the automotive world, the truth is more complicated. The gap between what the data suggests and what real-world owners experience is a canyon wide enough to fit a fleet of broken-down Edsels.

Lucid Air Owner Insights: Real-World Experience vs. CR’s 7/100 Reliability Rating

One potential owner took to Reddit to say,

“I’m seriously considering ordering a Lucid Air or Gravity, but I’m a bit concerned after seeing Consumer Reports’ reliability ratings for the Air... they’re really bad."

For those of you who own an Air, what has your experience been like? Have you run into any major issues? Any breakdowns or times you’ve been stranded? Or has it been smooth sailing for the most part?

I’d love to hear real-world feedback before making my decision. Thanks!”

One owner, who’s logged nearly 88,000 miles on their Lucid Air Grand Touring, called it a “solid car.” They acknowledged a few minor issues early on, all covered under warranty, and just one out-of-pocket repair, a door handle replacement, costing $850. The kicker? A chunk of that bill, $300, was for mobile service since they live six hours from the nearest Lucid service center. Hardly the catastrophic failure that CR’s rating implies.

“I have almost 88k miles and it’s been a solid car. Early on there were a few small things all repaired under warranty. The only thing I’ve had to pay for out of pocket was a new door handle that stopped presenting itself ($850). $300 of that was because mobile service had to drive to me since I’m 6+ hours away from a service center. Cheers!”

Performance, Interior & Software Evaluation

• Many owners praise the Lucid Air for its exceptional acceleration and handling, noting that it delivers a smooth and engaging driving experience. The vehicle's impressive range and efficiency are also frequently highlighted as standout features. 
• The spacious and well-appointed interior of the Lucid Air receives positive remarks from drivers. Features such as comfortable seating and a user-friendly interface contribute to a luxurious feel. However, some users have reported minor issues with interior components, such as noise from the back seat and challenges with the frunk (front trunk) operation. 
• While Lucid Air's software interface is generally appreciated for its intuitiveness, some owners have encountered glitches and bugs that affect the overall experience. Instances of slow connectivity with the mobile app and occasional system lag have been reported. Additionally, there are concerns about the vehicle's reliability, with mentions of multiple service visits and recalls during the initial ownership period.

This disconnect between Consumer Reports and real-world ownership isn’t new. The publication relies on survey data, which tends to overweight early production issues and, in Lucid’s case, draws from 2023 models. That means any improvements Lucid has made in the past year, software fixes, better production quality, aren’t factored in.

As CR puts it:

“We expect the 2025 Air will be much less reliable than the average new car.”

That’s a bold statement to make based on historical data rather than ongoing trends. To be fair, early adopters of any new car are essentially beta testers. Lucid is a startup playing in the deep end of the EV market, and like Tesla before it, growing pains are inevitable. The majority of reported issues aren’t related to the powertrain or battery, the big-ticket items that would make an EV genuinely unreliable. 

Minor Issues & Early Production Quirks in the Lucid Air

Instead, complaints center on minor irritations: frunk alignment, door handle quirks, Apple CarPlay connectivity glitches, and the occasional software hiccup that requires a reboot. Tesla’s early cars had far worse gremlins, including failed powertrains and dying 17-inch touchscreens, but that didn’t stop them from becoming the dominant force in the EV industry.

One confirmed recall on the Lucid Air Pure involved a battery cable replacement, not ideal, but hardly the end of the world. Lucid owners on forums largely report quick and effective service for any issues, with most problems being resolved without major downtime. As one Redditor put it:

"It would be hard to find any post about an electric motor failing, a battery failing, or any other significant issue that affects drivability.”

In other words, the fundamental engineering, the stuff that actually makes the car move, is holding up well.

Tesla Model S Early Reviews: Performance, Design & Range Insights

• Critics lauded the Model S for its impressive acceleration and handling, noting that the electric drivetrain provided a smooth and powerful ride. The car's instant torque delivery and quiet operation were particularly highlighted as standout features. 
• The Model S was praised for its sleek and modern exterior design, which set it apart from other vehicles at the time. However, some reviewers pointed out that the interior materials and build quality did not always match the high standards set by traditional luxury automakers. 
• Early reviews appreciated the Model S's substantial electric range, which alleviated some concerns about long-distance travel in electric vehicles. Nonetheless, the limited availability of charging infrastructure in certain areas was noted as a potential drawback for prospective owners.

This all echoes Tesla’s early years when CR slammed the other electric cars for reliability woes, yet owners—many of whom are still driving those very same cars—told a different story. CR eventually revised its stance, and now Tesla is seen as a benchmark EV brand. Lucid is at the same crossroads, balancing innovation with execution. Its challenge is to scale up production without tripping over itself, something that took Tesla a decade to master. The Air’s reliability will likely improve over time, and its reputation will follow suit.

Balancing Lucid Air’s Innovation with Consumer Reports Criticism

So, what’s the takeaway? Consumer Reports isn’t wrong, but it’s not the whole story. If you’re considering a Lucid Air, you have to do your own research. Scour owner forums, dig into service records, and ask yourself: Am I okay with minor quirks in exchange for cutting-edge tech and an unparalleled driving experience? If the answer is yes, then maybe that 7/100 reliability score isn’t quite the dealbreaker it seems. After all, the most interesting cars, the ones that move the industry forward, have never been the ones with perfect reliability scores.

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.