I've Unleashed My Lucid Air for 10K Miles And It's Been Nearly Perfect (Except for One $1,400 Oops and That Annoying Phone Issue Everyone Hates)

Once in a while, a car comes along that makes you rethink everything you thought you knew about the industry. The Lucid Air is one of those cars. It’s an electric sedan that doesn’t just aim for Tesla’s jugular, it practically rewrites the rulebook on luxury, range, and performance. With over 500 miles of EPA-rated range in its longest-legged form and enough horsepower to embarrass European exotics, the Air is proof that American ingenuity in the EV space is alive and well.

But while Lucid builds world-class machines, the company itself has hit more potholes than a Detroit freeway in spring. Peter Rawlinson, the man who led Lucid from an upstart to a legitimate Tesla rival, is out as CEO. 

Rivian vs. Lucid: A Comparative Analysis

• Rivian’s market cap currently sits at roughly $12.9–$13 billion, underscoring its position as a significant yet still maturing player in the EV market. 
• Lucid’s market capitalization is estimated around $6.8–$7.1 billion, reflecting its focus on high-end electric vehicles amid challenges in scaling production. 
• With Rivian valued at nearly double Lucid’s size, the contrast highlights differing investor expectations regarding growth prospects, operational efficiency, and market reach within the competitive EV landscape.

In his place, at least for now, is Marc Winterhoff, a move that immediately sent the stock price north after years of poor performance. But can Lucid survive long enough to make the Air the icon it deserves to be?

Daily Driving Delight & Unmatched Reliability

Of course, the real measure of a car isn’t just what’s on paper, it’s what actual owners say after thousands of miles on the road. And based on ownership reviews, Lucid seems to have done something that no automaker outside of Stuttgart or Zuffenhausen ever gets right: making a car that feels special every single day. As Christopher Ortega from the Lucid Owners Club on Facebook put it, 

"Just reached 10k miles and I have to say. I love to jump in and drive every day just like day one. So the only issues I’ve ever had was a piece of door trim loose which was easily repaired by mobile service. I also had a rock damage my light bar and it cost me about $1400.

Besides that, the car has been flawless. I never have to do any resets just jump in and drive. And I drive hard. Always in sprint mode. Always racing around. Drive it like you stole it. 😂🤪 It’s been extremely reliable for me except of course talking to someone on the phone is muffled. Which has been an issue for many."

That’s the kind of real-world feedback automakers dream about, especially in the EV space, where new startups tend to be plagued by early production nightmares, software gremlins, and a general sense that the whole car is held together with over-the-air updates and a prayer. The Air, however, is proving itself to be not just reliable but genuinely thrilling to drive. No phantom software glitches, no constant trips to service centers, no “just reboot it” fixes. The Air is, at its core, a proper grand tourer, a car that delivers performance without drama and luxury without compromise.

Redefining American Luxury and Innovation in the EV Market

Lucid, alongside Rivian, represents the next generation of American EV startups proving that Detroit doesn’t have a monopoly on automotive innovation. Tesla kicked the door open, but these companies are marching right through, armed with better interiors, smarter technology, and in Lucid’s case, more refined driving dynamics. Unlike Tesla, which still seems allergic to proper build quality, the Air is a legitimate luxury car.

The materials are top-notch, the software mostly works, and when you step on the right pedal, it doesn’t just accelerate—it teleports. Rivian, meanwhile, has taken an entirely different route, building electric trucks that make Range Rovers look like they were designed for soccer moms. Both companies are proving that EVs don’t have to be soulless appliances, they can be fun, fast, and desirable.

Overcoming Sales Challenges & Cash Burn in the EV Sector

Despite all this, Lucid still has an uphill battle ahead. The company burns cash like a Hemi-powered Charger burns tires, and while the Air is a phenomenal product, sales haven’t exactly been setting the world on fire. Price cuts, improved production efficiency, and the upcoming Gravity SUV might help, but Lucid needs more than just a great car, it needs a business model that works. Rivian has Amazon in its corner, but Lucid? They’re going at it alone. Anyone who remembers Fisker’s first attempt knows that building a great EV is one thing, but staying in business is another. Investors want to see results, and Winterhoff’s leadership will determine whether Lucid is a legitimate competitor or another promising startup that couldn’t make it past the honeymoon phase.

Unparalleled Performance & the Future of American Luxury Sedans

Still, for those who have taken the plunge, the consensus is clear: this car rocks. Owner groups are filled with satisfied customers, many of whom talk about how it’s the best car they’ve ever owned. Sure, there are the usual EV quirks, some software hiccups, an occasional trim issue, but nothing that suggests Lucid is cutting corners where it matters. The performance is relentless, the ride quality sublime, and the overall experience? Borderline addictive. If Lucid can navigate its financial struggles and secure its long-term future, the Air could go down as one of the great  American sedans of the modern era.

Lucid has managed to do something truly special: they built a machine that people love to drive. Whether that’s enough to keep them afloat in the cutthroat EV wars remains to be seen, but if this is the future of American luxury sedans, we’re in for a ride.

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.