2026 Lucid Air Expert Review
Reviewed by Bob Hernandez
The 2026 Lucid Air combines groundbreaking technology, stunning performance, and industry-leading range, setting a new standard for luxury electric sedans. The model redefines the electric driving experience and was named MotorTrend’s 2022 Car of the Year.
Electric flagship car competitors include the Tesla Model S, BMW i7, and Porsche Taycan.
What’s New
Tech and styling updates arrive for the 2026 Air. They include:
Basics
- Tesla Supercharger access with available adapter from Lucid
- Lucid mobile charging cable kit
- Greater range with the Air Touring trim
- Hands-Free Drive Assist and Hands-Free Lane Change Assist added to the available DreamDrive Pro driver assist suite, which is now standard with the Air Pure
- Improved air conditioning compressor from the Gravity SUV
Exterior
- Optional 19-inch Aeronaut wheel in both Platinum and Stealth for Pure, Touring, and Grand Touring models
Interior
- Android Auto is now available in all Airs via an over-the-air update
- A rear center console display and storage bin are now included in the Pure trim’s optional Comfort and Convenience package
- Standard massaging, heated and ventilated, power memory front seats with Grand Touring model
What We Think
With groundbreaking efficiency, astonishing range, and performance that pushes boundaries, the 2026 Lucid Air is setting a new standard for luxury electric vehicles.
The sedan impresses with its generous range and quick charging capabilities, though it’s not just about battery power—even without that massive advantage over the Tesla Model S, the Air’s elegant design and stunning, tech-filled interior make it a standout.
A big frunk and generous rear trunk add practicality to its sleek form. Plus, every version of the Air—whether the nimble Pure or the supercar-crushing Sapphire—delivers an exhilarating driving experience.
The Air isn’t without flaws. Some design choices, like contrast stitching on the dashboard, create distractions with reflections on the windshield, and the glass roof, while stylish, lets in too much heat and light. A few build quality hiccups and infotainment glitches held back earlier models. The bonkers Sapphire falls apart with too much time at its limits.
Overall, the Lucid Air is a remarkable achievement—setting a new benchmark for performance, innovation, and design that has captured the attention of the entire industry.
Top-Ranked Competitors:
MotorTrend Tested
MotorTrend has tested every model in the current Air lineup. Only the entry-level Pure is standard with rear-wheel drive—all others come with all-wheel drive. The Sapphire top trim is equipped with a model-specific three-motor system that adds a second drive unit to the rear axle.
With its remarkable 1,234 hp and 1,430 lb-ft of torque, the Sapphire can accelerate to 60 mph in a blazing-quick 2.2 seconds. Equipping the Track Tire package drops that figure to a MotorTrend-tested 1.881 seconds, a new record in our books. That time slows to 3.0 seconds with the Grand Touring, which makes “just” 819 hp and 885 lb-ft of torque.
The Air Touring is close behind, able to sprint to 60 mph in 3.1 seconds thanks to its 620 hp (it produces the same torque as the Grand Touring). The Pure is the least quick, but it’s not exactly slow, either, ticking off 4.2 seconds on its way to 60 mph and making 403 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque.
In the tale of the tape, the Plaid is the most capable version of the Tesla Model S, making a slightly less staggering 1,020 hp and 1,050 lb-ft of torque. It’s a good rival to compare the Sapphire against. With its own three-motor AWD system, the Plaid accelerated to 60 mph in 2.1 seconds in MT testing.
EV Range and Charging
The top two models are outfitted with a relatively large 118-kWh battery. With it, estimated driving range is an impressive 512 miles for the Grand Touring, and a slightly less impressive 427 miles for the Sapphire.
The Air Touring scores a 92-kWh battery pack that comes with new, higher-density battery cells this year. The change results in a range increase from 406 to 431 miles, a not insignificant 25-mile bump. The Pure comes with the smallest battery, at 88 kWh, but because it’s RWD it still gets a healthy 420 miles of range.
The Lucid Air is officially rated to charge at an incredibly fast 300 kW, although we’ve observed a peak of 343 kW in our testing. Under the right circumstances, Lucid says the Air can recover up to 200 miles of range in roughly 12 minutes.
Every Tesla Model S has a 100-kWh battery pack. The Standard Range model is EPA-rated for 402 miles of range with base 19-inch wheels and 380 with optional 21-inch wheels. Range for the Model S Plaid is rated at 348 miles with 19-inch wheels and 312 with 21-inch wheels. These numbers are still good, but the Lucid is now the standard-bearer when it comes to range.
Regardless of trim or model year, all Airs can now charge at Tesla Supercharger locations. Owners will need to purchase a $220 North American Charging System adapter from Lucid. Additionally, it looks like using the adapter throttles the potential charge rate from 300 kW to just 50 kW, which Lucid says can add as much as 200 miles of range per hour of charging. Compare that to the 200 miles the Air adds in 12 minutes when it’s hooked up to the right Level 3.
Safety Features
Every Air comes with Lucid’s DreamDrive Premium suite of driver assist and active safety features. There’s also an available DreamDrive Pro upgrade. Features of the base system include:
- Front and rear automatic emergency braking
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Lane keeping
- Adaptive cruise control
- A 360-degree camera
- Semi-autonomous parking
Cargo Space and Interior Room
Frunk space compares favorably to the Model S, but the Tesla is a hatchback, so rear cargo space is measured differently than the Air’s conventional trunk. The Lucid does offer more front legroom and a bigger boot than the BMW i7.
Technology
Infotainment
Every Lucid Air boasts a 34.0-inch dashboard display that integrates three distinct screens: a compact control panel, a large digital gauge cluster, and a vibrant touchscreen for navigation, media, and Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
The center console features an additional touchscreen for climate and drive modes. Both rows of seats are equipped with USB-C ports, and the front row enjoys the convenience of a wireless charging pad.
Sound System
Nine speakers are included with the base system. Lucid also offers a 21-speaker upgrade.
Available Upgrades
Bigger wheels, leather upholstery, and massaging seats are on offer, as is a Comfort and Convenience package for the Pure base model that includes soft-close doors, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, four-zone climate control, and rear power sunshades.
Value
Standard Features
Every Air delivers great driving range and quickness, impressive technology like seamless digital real estate and plenty of driver assists, and luxurious design. The Sapphire is an over-the-top halo.
Recommended Trim
The entry-level Pure model offers impressive capability and exceptional value, delivering ample range for road trips while remaining pretty darn quick.
