2025 Lucid Air Grand Touring vs 2022 Audi E-tron GT

I just took delivery of a 2025 AGT, which is replacing my 2022 Audi E-tron GT. I thought it might be interesting to see how the cars compare.

My Audi is perhaps the best car I've ever owned. It is fast, nimble and great looking. When driving, I feel like I'm wearing the car rather than sitting in it. It is so much fun that it makes me drive like an a-hole. I admit it, I'm not proud of it, but if you are driving like a turtle I am going to pass you. It is typical of most German cars in that it feels fully planted on the road at all time. Very secure with very little sway, but also not harsh at all. The interior is understated, well designed and luxurious. Controls are all very well placed allowing me to keep my eyes on the road at all time.

The software is another story. It is not very good. Buggy, not robust and a source of aggravation. Lots of error messages all the time. I learned to ignore them until they went away. Occasional phantom braking on the highway. SW updates that took the dealer days to install. Pretty bad overall. But still the car was a blast to drive, so...

Why did I get an AGT? Three reasons: range, space and dealer issues. The day-to-day operating range on the car is about 200 miles (250 on 100% charge). I am charging a lot. I am also reluctant to take it on road trips because it is such a PITA to plan and execute. The few road trips I have taken produced range anxiety--a fear that is well founded.

The Audi is a little tight on space. The back seat (with glass roof) is just ok for a couple adults. My dogs don't have much room back there at all. The trunk space is meh, but the frunk is reasonably handy. Cabin storage is very limited.

The Audi dealers I have used are really bad at repairs. Simple things take days and day. More complex things take multiple trips to the dealer. Some recall repairs require the dealer to have the car before they order parts. If your part is coming from Germany, you are not going to have the car for a while. These service problems, more than anything else, caused me to dump the car.

One day when I was grousing about the service, my wife asked me why I didn't buy a different car. I told her there wasn't any other car I thought might be better. Then I though about Lucid.

I spent time on the forum and decided to lease an AGT (great deal IMO). My first impressions are very favorable. Very luxurious, powerful with a terrific suite of software. The driving experience is too new for me to say much about, other than to mention it is way different than the Audi. The car feels heavier, but is still pretty nimble. The whole braking/regen thing is waaaaaay different. With the Audi, it is recommended that you set it to coast. Regen is accomplished by braking. The mechanical brakes engage only when the car is below 5 mph--the rest of the time the motors provide the braking. I liked this a lot. The Lucid of course is completely different, and I am slowly getting used to the way it handles slowing the car through regen.

The Lucid cabin is top notch--plenty of space for everything. Creature comforts are excellent. I love the software (so far it has been perfect, but I haven't driven the car much). I apologize to you guys who are having major problems with your car, but the Lucid has already greatly exceeded my expectations. I am looking forward to getting to know this car over the next few months. I'm also excited about taking my EV on a road trip. I don't think I will ever feel like I am wearing this car, like I did with my Audi, but this is an extremely capable in every way and I look forward to my years of ownership.

TL/DR: Audi nice, Lucid nicer.

I think we are still waiting for photos - and not of batteries, Faraday pouch and recharging pad...

Hey just be happy I didn't post photos of the floor mats that didn't fit! Pics coming this evening (better light).

I have not driven the E-tron. How is the driver visibility, rear and side, compared to the Lucid?

Great write up - enjoy the new Air!

I also think the Audi (and Taycan) are some of the best looking EVs out there, but seems like a lot of compromises with range, price, dealer experience, etc. After all, what is Lucid’s tagline?

scal_air said:

I have not driven the E-tron. How is the driver visibility, rear and side, compared to the Lucid?

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It is pretty limited. the Lucid has better vis out the back, but the A pillars make it hard to see curbs, etc. All in all I give the nod to the Lucid.

Leftlane said:

Great write up - enjoy the new Air!

I also think the Audi (and Taycan) are some of the best looking EVs out there, but seems like a lot of compromises with range, price, dealer experience, etc. After all, what is Lucid’s tagline?

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I get compliments on the Audi all the time--young, old, men, women, small dogs...

L-Dude said:

Why did I get an AGT? Three reasons: range, space and dealer issues. The day-to-day operating range on the car is about 200 miles (250 on 100% charge). I am charging a lot. I am also reluctant to take it on road trips because it is such a PITA to plan and execute. The few road trips I have taken produced range anxiety--a fear that is well founded.

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Congratulations on getting a new car!

When we compare a car vs. another for ourselves, many things are purely subjective, depending on our personal preferences. In this particular case, one thing is certainly not subjective: the range (and efficiency, range vs. battery capacity, weight, etc.). You will surely be happy with the Lucid Grand Touring coming from Audi E-tron. Range anxiety will still be there (it always is with road trips in an EV, depending on the route), but I can assure you it will be substantially reduced / minimized. You probably already figured this out already, but I thought I'd point it out.

Congrats again!

Leftlane said:

Great write up - enjoy the new Air!

I also think the Audi (and Taycan) are some of the best looking EVs out there, but seems like a lot of compromises with range, price, dealer experience, etc. After all, what is Lucid’s tagline?

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Could not agree more. We were given a Etron GT for a week to use, happily turned it in and immediately bought a Lucid. Next day. And I have been an Audi man for 35 years. From the UR quattro.

Bottom line: Audi felt thrown together to have a passable EV luxury car to sell. Lucid was clearly designed from the ground up.

The Audi was beautiful. That's about it. Drove just like a really wide A7. Felt very wide. Laughable range on Colorado mtns and storage was only slightly better than a 911. The frunk was hesterical - room for a six pack, as long as it was not tall boys. Audi made absolutely no attempt at maximizing storage, unlike the Air.

The Audi reminded me of the line said by Billy Crystal character on SNL: better to look good than feel good.

Well I disagree with some of what you said. I have never driven a better handling car than the Audi E-tron GT--and that includes my Lucid. I'm not sure what happened with your frunk. Mine held the portable charger, a 100' heavy duty extention cord, car cleaning kits, towels, emergency blankets and was still less than 1/2 full.

Range is bad. Storage is bad. Service is bad. Back seat is cramped. Everything else was outstanding. JMHO, YMMV.

L-Dude said:

Range is bad. Storage is bad. Service is bad. Back seat is cramped.

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Other than THAT Mrs Lincoln, how was the play?

I understand where you are coming from. I do not doubt the sincerity of your observations and that they are based on your experiences.

When we were shopping for a BEV, I wanted a fully usable forward facing complete package that was evolving towards the future, cutting edge technology, meaningful range, adequate storage. The Audi failed me in all those areas. Having the Audi for a week focused us on what was important to us. And we were fortunate to discover Lucid.

Now that I've actually driven the car a bit, I have some better feedback. The whole one-pedal-ish driving is starting to feel more normal. I still prefer the control offered by using the brake pedal to slow the car (and regen in the process), but I'm sure I'll be completely comfortable with the lucid set before long.

The car is definitely roomier throughout. That's nice and something I was looking for when making the switch from Audi to Lucid. It is a very muscular car. Impressive that it can move all that mass so powerfully. In comparing the cars to NFL running backs, the Audi was Barry Sanders while the Lucid is Derrick Henry.

The key FOB/door opening thing has appeared a few times now, as has the whole "car won't go into drive" thing. I just deleted my mobile key to see if that helps.

I really wish the car had an on/off switch, and I don't like walk-away locking. But I know a lot of people do like it, so different strokes...

I feel like the door opening detents weren't done very thoughtfully. The first detent doesn't hold the door open wide enough to exit, and the next detent holds the door open so wide that you would smash the door into the car next to you.

I hit my head on the door frame every single time I get in and out. I need to work on that--perhaps I have the seat too high.

The car is so stinkin' fast!!!

L-Dude said:

I feel like the door opening detents weren't done very thoughtfully. The first detent doesn't hold the door open wide enough to exit, and the next detent holds the door open so wide that you would smash the door into the car next to you.

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This is a very interesting observation. I feel the same, but I was never able to articulate it so well.

I also agree with the on/off switch. Because of not having it, I have to lock the car to make it drop the BT connection to my phone. Otherwise it will stay on, while I'm inside the house.

L-Dude said:

...I really wish the car had an on/off switch, and I don't like walk-away locking....

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You can just push the door handle in to lock the car, no need to wait for it to auto-lock as you walk away.

One-pedal driving does take some getting used to initially, but it's great for city traffic and feels natural with time. Hard to go back to the ICE coast 'n' creep you get in a rental car.

I had a ‘24 Audi Q8 e-tron sportback and while the cabin was very nice, the tech was horrible. It got to a point that I sold my one year old car at a huge loss and leased a Lucid instead. (I should’ve leased my Audi, but instead I bought it - big lesson learned!)

L-Dude said:

Hey just be happy I didn't post photos of the floor mats that didn't fit! Pics coming this evening (better light).

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Man that new stealth option is the bomb! Not only do I not see the car but I don’t even see the pictures…

scal_air said:

Man that new stealth option is the bomb! Not only do I not see the car but I don’t even see the pictures…

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If only the payments were stealth.

The wheel covers are coming off as soon as the center caps/lug covers arrive.

Hi Everyone,

I am new here but I did want to give my thoughts after going for a 1 hour test drive in the Lucid Pure. I am also picking up the Pure again tomorrow for a 24-hours test drive to have a longer and more detailed experience. A little bit of background. I'm definitely a Porsche guy and embarrassed to mention how many I have owned but I did own the Taycan GTS 2022 for a short period of time. I have also driven the Audi GT 2022. Both cars are excellent drivers cars but no range and lots of small issues.

I have owned five Tesla including the Plaid and we currently own the newest three series. This is a strong statement but I did not like the way the Plaid drove and I really disliked the steering wheel. I also currently have a first-generation Audi R8 with a gated shifter and eight cylinder engine versus the ten cylinder. Love the hydraulic steering in the R8. I actually prefer the R8 over my 2025 Porsche 911 and my 911 is a stick. I only mention this so that you understand what my driving preferences are and they don't necessarily match everybody else's priorities

My thoughts, so far on the Lucid Pure is that the Pure is my overall favorite driving electric car and yes I know this is a strong statement. I'm not a tech guy and I would not buy one electric car over the other based on the tech but I absolutely do prefer a driver's car and I really like one pedal driving. The Pure is a driver's car and for me the car must keep me engaged whether I'm dropping my son to a running event or taking my wife out for dinner. It's rare when I get in an electric car and I enjoy the driving experience. The Pure reminds me of my old M5 that had many years ago. It is fun and engaging and for an electric car it is a bit of the revelation. Lucid, in my opinion has stepped out of the normal boring sedan building and built a car that you actually enjoy driving. The bonus is the added range and the well-thought-out interior. I would also say after test driving the EQS that the appearance on the Lucid is very appealing. In fact it's one of the nicer looking sedans available and I sure hope that this company stays in business. I know I'm probably going to purchase a Lucid in the next week.

I'm also going to drive the Touring after the Pure and I was wondering what other people's opinions are on the Touring versus the Pure. Are they totally different cars or just slightly different because there is a big weight difference and all-wheel drive versus rear wheel drive?

Thank you and have a great day.

Robert N said:

I'm also going to drive the Touring after the Pure and I was wondering what other people's opinions are on the Touring versus the Pure.

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You should definitely drive the Touring. Not exactly totally different cars, and not exactly AWD vs. Pure. It’s the power and the Torque. Specs for Pure: https://lucidmotors.com/media/document/lucid-air-pure-technical-specs-2025.pdf

Touring: https://lucidmotors.com/media/document/lucid-air-touring-technical-specs-2025.pdf

Obviously, specs are specs, so you should drive a Touring for yourself