Electrek likes the Lucid Air as its "Model S Alternative"

[EZEVDriver]

Electrek's choice for top Model S alternative...drumroll... Well, it's listed as an "opinion article," but it summarizes the advantage well: "Developed by OG Tesla Model S engineers with tunes from Annie Get Your Gun playing continuously in their heads, the Lucid Air promises to be the car Tesla should and could have built, if only Elon had listened to the engineers."

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[Haggy]

You don't need to convince anyone here, and many of us are longtime Model S owners. The Model S is still a good car but even before Musk went off the deep end, I still put down my deposit for a Lucid. By the time I got the Lucid, I would have bought it over the S anyway, but I might have at least considered a new S if not for Musk.

Each has its advantages, but Lucid's list of advantages is much longer. I don't want to see Tesla fail, but catching up with Lucid is far from their biggest problem.

 

[borski]

You don't need to convince anyone here, and many of us are longtime Model S owners. The Model S is still a good car but even before Musk went off the deep end, I still put down my deposit for a Lucid. By the time I got the Lucid, I would have bought it over the S anyway, but I might have at least considered a new S if not for Musk.

Each has its advantages, but Lucid's list of advantages is much longer. I don't want to see Tesla fail, but catching up with Lucid is far from their biggest problem.

I agree completely. I debated between a Plaid and an Audi R8 Spyder before I met the Lucid.

Driving all 3, the Lucid was a no-brainer over the Plaid. Elon just solidified it.

The Air vs the Audi was a much tougher choice, but I have zero regrets. Had I known then what I know now, I’d pick the Air again every time, *even with* the bugs or whatever.

YMMV, of course.

 

[Wilber]

What's a 'Model S? Is that like a Model T or a Model A?

 

[Halodde]

What's a 'Model S? Is that like a Model T or a Model A?

Yes exactly... In the same way that the M3 is a tesla

 

[Batteryman]

I've lost all interest in a used Ferrari after driving the Air! Best sport sedan ever made! Nothing beats it.

 

[Haggy]

I agree completely. I debated between a Plaid and an Audi R8 Spyder before I met the Lucid.

Driving all 3, the Lucid was a no-brainer over the Plaid. Elon just solidified it.

The Air vs the Audi was a much tougher choice, but I have zero regrets. Had I known then what I know now, I’d pick the Air again every time, *even with* the bugs or whatever.

YMMV, of course.

In situations like these, my standard answer is to tell people to try both/all. I can rave about a car all I want, but there's no way for anybody to measure my objectivity. Bugs aren't something that will show up on a test drive though, and I think that Lucid has far too many...unless I have some sort of hardware problem that's making me assume that certain things are bugs.

 

[kort6776]

the air gt is like tesla 2.0, it is where the tesla model S should have evolved to

 

[WeighingGravity]

I’d buy an Air in 3 seconds if they updated some of the tech and software to Gravity levels AND if they made it a hatch like the S. I can’t get enough of how convenient my S is for cargo and such and I don’t think I can ever go back to a standard sedan arrangement. If they made a sapphire in a hatch I might even spend the $250k even though I don’t really responsibly have it.

 

[Haggy]

I’d buy an Air in 3 seconds if they updated some of the tech and software to Gravity levels AND if they made it a hatch like the S. I can’t get enough of how convenient my S is for cargo and such and I don’t think I can ever go back to a standard sedan arrangement. If they made a sapphire in a hatch I might even spend the $250k even though I don’t really responsibly have it.

I have an S from 2014. I watched Tesla shrink the frunk when they added AWD. Then I watched them do it again when they added HEPA. That left very little volume in the frunk. While I appreciate the volume in my Model S, and the fact that I could remove the parcel shelf to get something taller into it, for practical purposes I'd take the storage space in a Lucid Air over that in a more recent Model S. Of course there are cases where something might be too tall. But it's far from an everyday thing for me.

I agree that the software could use some catching up, and I think that the screen arrangement in the Gravity is nicer but I haven't seen it in person. Tesla still has lots of things in their software that Lucid lacks. I'm not looking for Lucid to copy Tesla, but a superset of their features would be nice. They can leave out the fart sounds and Easter eggs though.

If you want more cargo space, there's the Gravity of course. It didn't exist when I got the Air and I don't need an SUV but if it had been there I might have tried it out. I don't regret buying the Air at all, but it would be nice if it had more of the Gravity features.

 

[WeighingGravity]

You're probably right that I'm under-appreciating the frunk space of Air. My 2017S (AWD) has a pretty minimal frunk and I don't use it for anything, really, besides spare cables and an emergency tire pump. As a result it gets opened only a couple of times a year and is never used for "normal" storage. Also, the Model S frunk closure is fussy, the way you're supposed to carefully lower it then press closed. So it's just not all that convenient. That said, folding down half the rear seats lets me get my family of 3 to the airport with ski bags and 3 full-sized checked bags for 1-2 week winter trips; people are amazed by how much luggage comes out of the thing. So the rear hatch is a superpower.

I want a Gravity. I have 2 orders outstanding. I just.... can't seem to get one.

BTW the Gravity features I'd want most in an Air would be: Boosted DC fast charging, NACS, and what I gather is supposed to be faster software.

 

[borski]

You're probably right that I'm under-appreciating the frunk space of Air.

I use my frunk much, much more than I use my trunk. Not because it’s cool, but because it’s convenient. It’s perfect for groceries because it’s smaller and fits bags without them shaking around, etc., especially in the subfrunk.

 

[Haggy]

You're probably right that I'm under-appreciating the frunk space of Air. My 2017S (AWD) has a pretty minimal frunk and I don't use it for anything, really, besides spare cables and an emergency tire pump. As a result it gets opened only a couple of times a year and is never used for "normal" storage. Also, the Model S frunk closure is fussy, the way you're supposed to carefully lower it then press closed. So it's just not all that convenient. That said, folding down half the rear seats lets me get my family of 3 to the airport with ski bags and 3 full-sized checked bags for 1-2 week winter trips; people are amazed by how much luggage comes out of the thing. So the rear hatch is a superpower.

I want a Gravity. I have 2 orders outstanding. I just.... can't seem to get one.

BTW the Gravity features I'd want most in an Air would be: Boosted DC fast charging, NACS, and what I gather is supposed to be faster software.

The frunk on the Model S had (or perhaps still has) a "frunk crease" problem that was caused by not closing the frunk per instructions. There were no such instructions when the problem first appeared. I don't know whether later model years would end up with a creased frunk if you use one hand and press in the middle, but I wouldn't chance it.

Regardless, auto open and close makes it far more practical with the Lucid. It's convenient for groceries if you back into a parking space, and potentially easier to unload if the entry to your house is in front of the car.

Also, you might have people offer to help you load your groceries. They might have a confused look on their faces after they ask if you need help and when they realize that there's no engine, but since they offered to help, it would be awkward for them to back out of it.

 

[DeaneG]

I’d buy an Air in 3 seconds if they updated some of the tech and software to Gravity levels AND if they made it a hatch like the S. I can’t get enough of how convenient my S is for cargo and such and I don’t think I can ever go back to a standard sedan arrangement. If they made a sapphire in a hatch I might even spend the $250k even though I don’t really responsibly have it.

Hatchbacks have an inherent body torsional stiffness issue, which leads to suspension compromises, which leads to the Model S's poor ride and handling in comparison to the Air.

 

[illopp00]

I’d buy an Air in 3 seconds if they updated some of the tech and software to Gravity levels AND if they made it a hatch like the S. I can’t get enough of how convenient my S is for cargo and such and I don’t think I can ever go back to a standard sedan arrangement. If they made a sapphire in a hatch I might even spend the $250k even though I don’t really responsibly have it.

I think they might consider making it a wagon version to appeal better in Europe.

 

[illopp00]

I use my frunk much, much more than I use my trunk. Not because it’s cool, but because it’s convenient. It’s perfect for groceries because it’s smaller and fits bags without them shaking around, etc., especially in the subfrunk.

Same. And I am lazy: I just pull the car into the garage, close the garage door and walk 15 less feet back and forth to empty the groceries into the house.

 

[Pragmatic]

When going for a weekend ski trip I load the frunk with the cooler of food and sleeping bags for four people. The skis, poles, boots and clothing go in the trunk with the small half of the rear folded down. Two people up front and two in the back.

 

[Batteryman]

Hatchbacks have an inherent body torsional stiffness issue, which leads to suspension compromises, which leads to the Model S's poor ride and handling in comparison to the Air.

Good point!

 

[David R.]

Hatchbacks have an inherent body torsional stiffness issue, which leads to suspension compromises, which leads to the Model S's poor ride and handling in comparison to the Air.

I have a 2018 Model S which has an excellent ride and handling. While not as good in either category as my 2023 AT, the Tesla does not disappoint, particularly given the relative affordability of buying one used vs. a new Lucid. I bought my Lucid because I wanted the ultimate EV sedan and was willing to pay the premium, and have no regrets at all. I love my Lucid, but I do still enjoy my Model S.

 

[AirQuality]

The Air's frunk is sensational. The ability to drop a full-size suitcase straight in, while also leaving room for small handbags etc around it, instantly vaults the usability of this sedan into midsize ICE SUV territory. And yes it's my go to for groceries -- just the perfect size without things flopping around in the trunk. As far as the trunk itself is concerned, there are some magical things you can do with the deep trunk well to eke out basically as much total cargo volume as my old BMW X5. Except that the Air has much more rear legroom, is 5x more efficient, accelerates like a rocket, and handles like it's on rails.