What causes Air to "feel" like it is going faster at cruise than other cars?

Low to the ground, minimal body roll. It handles like a sports car so it will feel different than a big sedan.

Also the aluminum roof makes it feel like a tight cockpit of power.

Could be the weight of the car or how quiet the cabin is as well.

Could be wildly off base, but have you tried Sprint mode on an on-ramp? Not to hammer on the accelerator, but to firm up the suspension. It always felt a little off to me hitting curves in Smooth mode. Sprint felt like I was suctioned to the road.

Thanks for sharing your views. To be candid, after 2.5 years of ownership, my car (2023 Air Pure AWD, similar powertrain to AT) always feels much slower than its actual speed. The handling, ride, and overall sense of control exceeds anything I’ve owned (including a couple of BMWs). What wheels/tires do you have, and what driving mode do you usually drive in?

Tbh unless I look I have a hard time guessing my speed based on feel while driving on a highway
Is it 60 or 90, better look see the speedo
I find it comfortable at any speed I’ve driven so far, I’d like to get it on Road America and play a bit

Switching your vehicle from an Isolation rectangle on wheels aka : Lexus ES300H (Model Year 2019-2025) will do that. This video explains a lot about the overall dynamics of why some slow cars feel fast, and why inversely the Lexus felt slow versus a Lucid at the same speed. I started at 8:33 to get to the main Donut observations and points : Donut Media, Why some slow cars feel fast.

7OaksTom said:

However, one of the driving experiences is that, compared to my Lexus ES 300H and other cars I have driven, this car "feels" like it is going much faster when at cruising speed.

Click to expand...

The Lexus ES 300H is a isolation chamber on wheels. It's supposed to cruise at 70-80 MPH effortless voiding you of sensation. And Yes I have had a Lexus ES350 it's absurdly quiet at 75-80 still. With the Lucid Air you start noticing "wind noise" around the roof like near the headrest / B pillar this introduces a sense of velocity that your Lexus did not at 70 MPH and gets worse at 75 / 80; it is especially impacted by crosswinds.

7OaksTom said:

we feel like we are going too fast for the curve.

Click to expand...

This needs a defined basis to be established. In terms of fast let's settle on the velocity in which you're going around the curve. The Lucid can and will take that turn much faster then your Lexus can. The rate of the velocity is higher, the Lucid is can accelerate around a curve in the direction with the curve without loosing speed.

The Lexus velocity around the curve is SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER. Just due to the inherent front engine understeer nature of the platform, the tires start screeching and loosing grip you cannot feel that it is fast because your brain, ears, and motion senses make you naturally lift off the throttle to gain back traction. I guarantee you try to match the Lucid's higher speed and velocity limit say 35-50 around the 90 or 180 freeway bend your Lexus will screech and understeer outwards. The lucid feels fast because you feel the car communicates to you while reaching a faster velocity around the corner and shoving you in the back instead of pulling you from the front.

7OaksTom said:

both my wife and I feel like the car is on the verge of being out of control at any time,

Click to expand...

It has a different power delivery in your Lexus. Also smooth mode also has the least body control in terms of roll movement. I suggest switching between swift and sprint on those same corners but take it easy on the throttle and feel the car.

7OaksTom said:

Has anyone else experienced this sensation?

Click to expand...

I have whenever I get into a new car with more horsepower and elevated handling dynamics then my last. It's a matter of perspective and discovering the car and adjusting to it at your own pace.

segbrk said:

Could be wildly off base, but have you tried Sprint mode on an on-ramp? Not to hammer on the accelerator, but to firm up the suspension. It always felt a little off to me hitting curves in Smooth mode. Sprint felt like I was suctioned to the road.

Click to expand...

I use Sprint Mode when driving on curvy mountain roads for exact reason. I'll have to try it on the on-ramps. Thx

AirQuality said:

Thanks for sharing your views. To be candid, after 2.5 years of ownership, my car (2023 Air Pure AWD, similar powertrain to AT) always feels much slower than its actual speed. The handling, ride, and overall sense of control exceeds anything I’ve owned (including a couple of BMWs). What wheels/tires do you have, and what driving mode do you usually drive in?

Click to expand...

I have the 19s and I drive in Smooth.

Takeshi said:

Switching your vehicle from an Isolation rectangle on wheels aka : Lexus ES300H (Model Year 2019-2025) will do that. This video explains a lot about the overall dynamics of why some slow cars feel fast, and why inversely the Lexus felt slow versus a Lucid at the same speed. I started at 8:33 to get to the main Donut observations and points : Donut Media, Why some slow cars feel fast.


The Lexus ES 300H is a isolation chamber on wheels. It's supposed to cruise at 70-80 MPH effortless voiding you of sensation. And Yes I have had a Lexus ES350 it's absurdly quiet at 75-80 still. With the Lucid Air you start noticing "wind noise" around the roof like near the headrest / B pillar this introduces a sense of velocity that your Lexus did not at 70 MPH and gets worse at 75 / 80; it is especially impacted by crosswinds.

This needs a defined basis to be established. In terms of fast let's settle on the velocity in which you're going around the curve. The Lucid can and will take that turn much faster then your Lexus can. The rate of the velocity is higher, the Lucid is can accelerate around a curve in the direction with the curve without loosing speed.

The Lexus velocity around the curve is SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER. Just due to the inherent front engine understeer nature of the platform, the tires start screeching and loosing grip you cannot feel that it is fast because your brain, ears, and motion senses make you naturally lift off the throttle to gain back traction. I guarantee you try to match the Lucid's higher speed and velocity limit say 35-50 around the 90 or 180 freeway bend your Lexus will screech and understeer outwards. The lucid feels fast because you feel the car communicates to you while reaching a faster velocity around the corner and shoving you in the back instead of pulling you from the front.

It has a different power delivery in your Lexus. Also smooth mode also has the least body control in terms of roll movement. I suggest switching between swift and sprint on those same corners but take it easy on the throttle and feel the car.

I have whenever I get into a new car with more horsepower and elevated handling dynamics then my last. It's a matter of perspective and discovering the car and adjusting to it at your own pace.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the info. It is clear that I just need to drive the car more and get used it and to use swift or sprint on the feeway on-ramps.

7OaksTom said:

Thanks for the info. It is clear that I just need to drive the car more and get used it and to use swift or sprint on the feeway on-ramps.

Click to expand...

Careful with that throttle in sprint
If I’m remembering correctly the steering response tightens up also, but I may simply be making that up