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Chicago Winter Driving

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I’m looking at purchasing a 2024 Air. The model will be determined after your comments and insight.

I like the value of a used Pure but concerned about rear wheel drive in the icy conditions. Do I need a Touring for the dual motor AWD?
 
The AWD Pure was discontinued after 2023 so if that’s critical to your purchase you’ll either need to buy an older Pure or a newer Touring. You might also want to consider that the heat pump was added to all vehicles in 2025 and that will help with your winter range.
 
There is a winter tire package, but I had a 2024 AWD Touring with 19in wheels and all-seasons in Chicago winters and it was fine. The roads get plowed pretty well, but I have a 2nd car when the weather is truly terrible like below 0.

So I think the choice is spend less on a Pure with less features and spend on winter tires, or get a Touring. Depends on your driving preferences, I would take a Pure with 20in summer tires and then use winter tires if I had to do over again.
 
I live in Indianapolis and drive on I-65 to Lafayette a lot. I have a 2025 AP RWD. I did OK with it in the winter and in snow/ice, but it definitely made me nervous a few times. I had to be really careful on slick surfaces. If I did it again, I would have gone with AWD.
 
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illopp00 said:
There is a winter tire package, but I had a 2024 AWD Touring with 19in wheels and all-seasons in Chicago winters and it was fine. The roads get plowed pretty well, but I have a 2nd car when the weather is truly terrible like below 0.

So I think the choice is spend less on a Pure with less features and spend on winter tires, or get a Touring. Depends on your driving preferences, I would take a Pure with 20in summer tires and then use winter tires if I had to do over again.
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I used to live in Chicago (and at one point Naperville) prior to heading out west. I don't miss winter driving at all. I did own rear wheel drive vehicles over the years and winter driving was always an adventure. I've often wondered how the Lucid would handle the snow given it's heaviness and weight distribution. But I'm not so curious as to move back.
 
Can't comment on winter driving in a RWD Pure, but one winter in New Hampshire and one in Denver in my AGT with 19" and winter compound tires were fine. My biggest concern about winter driving is not my control but that of others, many of whom are driving on summer compound tires that are slippery in dry, cold conditions.
 
Is there a reason you're targeting the 2024 MY specifically? Lots of improvements in the 2025+.

To your specific question, I personally wouldn't want to deal with RWD in such a heavy vehicle on snow/ice. But if you're mostly in the city it would probably be manageable for a sensible driver.
 
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