Mobile Gnosis: The 2025 Lucid Air - A Luxury EV That Packs A Punch

In our latest curated article, we put the pedal to the EV metal on the the features and specifications of the 2025 Lucid Air, a top contender in the luxury electric car market. Our insights on the Lucid Air are primarily drawn from the source review "2025 Lucid Air Review, Pricing, and Specs" by Car and Driver by automotive writer Drew Dorian. Other observations are culled from TopSpeed.com and Edmunds.com—thrown in for good measure.

Car and Driver: They Love The Lucid Air

Dorian's review starkly highlights the impressive range that the Lucid Air offers. With an EPA estimated range of 406-480 miles, Dorian writes that it undoubtedly stands at the pinnacle of electric vehicles (EVs). Moreover, the sedan delivers in terms of choice too, offering a lineup of Pure, Touring, Grand Touring, and Sapphire trims. Each of these trims brings to the table its own suite of unique features and performance capabilities, Dorian writes.

Car and Driver points out that the 2025 Lucid Air is not just about range and choices. It's a vehicle that encapsulates luxury at its finest. Dorian notes that from its awe-inspiring acceleration to the opulence of its interior and advanced technology features, the sedan leaves no stone unturned in delivering a superior driving experience.

Furthermore, Dorian writes, not only does the vehicle hold its own, but it also rises to the top—being distinguished as the best luxury electric car for the year 2025.

The 2025 Lucid Air, in the Touring configuration, delivers over 600 horsepower and is priced at $78,900. This positions the Lucid Air as a competitive option within the market, particularly when compared to similarly equipped internal combustion engine (ICE) sedans currently available, Dorian adds.

The vehicle's pricing stretches considerably up to $250,500, contingent on the selected trim and options. The model year 2025 brings several enhancements, from improvements in battery capacity and driving range to exciting new features like the standard driver-assistance technology and upgraded infotainment, Dorian reports.

Dorian concludes that the 2025 Lucid Air fulfills and exceeds expectations in terms of performance, range, and luxury features, signifying the Lucid Air's rising prominence in the realm of electric vehicles. So, Car and Driver loves this EV from Lucid. Coming from them, that's high praise for the Lucid Air.  

Lucid Air 2025: Base Model

Price: Base: $78,900 / As Tested: $81,450
Options: 20-inch Aero Lite wheels: $1750; Fathom Blue Metallic paint: $800
Powertrain: `undefined
Motor: Permanent-magnet synchronous AC, 430 hp, 406 lb-ft
Battery Pack: Liquid-cooled lithium-ion, 88.0 kWh
Onboard Charger: 19.2 kW
Peak DC Fast-Charge Rate: 250 kW
Transmission: Direct-drive

Suspension (F/R): Multilink/Multilink
Brakes (F/R): 15.0-in vented disc / 14.8-in vented disc
Tires: Michelin Pilot Sport EV 245/40ZR-20 99Y Extra Load LM1

Wheelbase: 116.5 in
Length: 195.9 in
Width: 76.2 in
Height: 55.4 in
Passenger Volume: 101 ft³
Trunk Volume (F/R): 10/22 ft³
Curb Weight: 4536 lb

0–60 mph: 4.3 sec
0–100 mph: 9.8 sec
1/4-Mile: 12.7 sec @ 113 mph
Rolling Start (5–60 mph): 4.5 sec
Top Gear (30–50 mph): 1.8 sec
Top Gear (50–70 mph): 2.3 sec
Top Speed (gov ltd): 127 mph
Braking (70–0 mph): 164 ft
Braking (100–0 mph): 327 ft
Roadholding (300-ft Skidpad): 0.94 g

C/D Fuel Economy: `undefined
Observed: 89 MPGe
75-mph Highway Driving: 109 MPGe
75-mph Highway Range: 300 mi

EPA Fuel Economy: undefined
Combined/City/Highway: 130/134/126 MPGe
Range: 394 mi

(Source: Car and Driver)

Top Speed: The Lucid Air is a Must Have Car of The Decade

So what did Top Speed think of the Lucid Air? Top Speed recently wrote about the Lucid Air. They loved it. What truly sets the Lucid Air apart is its ability to excel in every aspect of the electric car experience, writes Theo Georgiou for TopSpeed.com:

"It combines jaw-dropping acceleration, industry-leading range, and a level of luxury that rivals the finest sedans on the market. Backed by Lucid Motors’ relentless pursuit of excellence, the Air represents a monumental leap forward in automotive engineering."

2025 Lucid Air Sapphire: The Fastest Vehicle Tested to Date By Edmunds.com

In the blink of an eye, the Lucid Air Sapphire can rocket from 0 to 60 mph, writes Steven Ewing for Edmunds.com:

With an astonishing 1,234 horsepower, this electric sedan achieved a jaw-dropping 2.2-second 0-60 mph time during our track tests, earning its place as the fastest vehicle Edmunds has ever recorded, Ewing writes.

Ewing spotlights that they don’t include a 1-foot rollout in their acceleration numbers. This means that their 0-60 mph times reflect true zero, not the 3 or 4 mph head start you get with rollout, Ewing writes. For clarity, when tested with rollout, the Lucid Air Sapphire achieves an impressive 2.1-second "0-60" time, Ewing writes.

According to Edmunds article, the 2.2-second 0-60 mph time they recorded aligns with the results from their earlier Edmunds U-Drags test this year. During that event, with the luxury of a full runway, the Sapphire blazed through the quarter mile in just 9.2 seconds at 147.4 mph, Ewing writes. This stunning performance allowed the Sapphire to outperform two of the fastest EVs on the market—the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT and the Tesla Model S Plaid (equipped with track pack), Ewing concludes.

The Long EV History of the Lucid Air

So where did this amazing EV come from? Did it seemingly hit the market overnight? Not hardly.

Lucid Motors entered the highly competitive electric vehicle (EV) market relatively recently, though the company itself has a longer history. Established in 2007 under the name Atieva, the company initially focused on manufacturing battery systems for electric buses in China.

In 2013, Peter Rawlinson, a former Tesla executive and key figure behind the development of the Tesla Model S, joined Atieva. By 2016, the company rebranded as Lucid Motors, signaling a strategic shift in its focus. Alongside the rebranding, Lucid announced its intention to mass-produce electric vehicles designed for the global market, positioning itself as a key player in the evolving EV industry.

The capital requirements to establish a mass-market electric vehicle company are, as expected, substantial. Between 2016 and 2021, Lucid Motors actively sought funding to support its development. During this period, various private and public investment firms contributed significant financial resources to the company. By 2021, Lucid Motors had secured sufficient capital to commence vehicle production at its newly constructed manufacturing facility in Arizona. The inaugural Lucid Air model was officially completed and rolled off the assembly line on September 30, 2021.

The 2022 Lucid Air was initially offered in four distinct trims, catering to a variety of preferences and needs. The entry-level option was the Pure trim, followed by the Touring and Grand Touring variants. At the top of the original lineup was the exclusive Dream Edition, available for only one model year. Notably, the Dream Edition achieved the highest driving range recorded to date, though the Grand Touring trim follows closely with an impressive range of 512 miles. In 2023, the Lucid Air Sapphire was introduced, offering a remarkable 1,234 horsepower. However, this high-performance model comes with a premium starting price of $249,000, reflecting its advanced capabilities and position within the lineup.

The Lucid Air EV: Ready To Buy One?

Now the question is this: If you have the money—and the Lucid Air is not cheap—are you buying one? Edmunds, TopSpeed, and Car and Driver all endorse the Lucid Air as a top pick in its class so maybe you should.

With its exceptional performance, luxury features, and impressive range, it's no surprise that this electric vehicle is gaining recognition from industry experts. As more models are introduced and advancements are made in electric vehicle technology, Lucid Motors will undoubtedly continue to make waves in the market and solidify its place as a leader in the world of EVs. So if you're in the market for a high-performance luxury electric car that pushes boundaries and exceeds expectations, then yes - the 2025 Lucid Air is worth considering.

Am I ready to buy one? At this price, let’s just say I’ll need a few more Midas Files books to sell first. While it might be a bit out of my budget for now, don’t be surprised if a character in the final book of the series ends up driving one! I can vicariously enjoy the car in fiction. What about you? If you get one, General and let me know what you think of the ride.