Gravity build quality vs. 2026 Air (coming from a 2022 Air)

[saabfan]

Hello,

I have a 2022 Air GT which is coming up on the end of its lease. From reading these forums, I understand the build quality of the newer model years is better (fewer rattles / creaks / squeaks / etc.). Does anyone have experience comparing a 2025 or 2026 Air vs. Gravity in terms of fit and finish and build quality?

I am leaning toward a Gravity but part of me says get a 2026 Air so there are hopefully fewer of these issues.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts.

 

[californiaboy935]

(I am biased) but I think the 22’ GT’s are the best build quality imo. Haven’t had much experience in newer Airs, but I know the Gravity’s I’ve seen/ridden in/driven have been excellent with little to no road noise/wind noise at normal speeds. Not to mention few to any first perceptible rattles.

All this to say I’d go with either one, depending on your use case. The Gravity is beautiful and has some new tech that would be cool to check out.

 

[hmp10]

(I am biased) but I think the 22’ GT’s are the best build quality imo. Haven’t had much experience in newer Airs, but I know the Gravity’s I’ve seen/ridden in/driven have been excellent with little to no road noise/wind noise at normal speeds. Not to mention few to any first perceptible rattles.

All this to say I’d go with either one, depending on your use case. The Gravity is beautiful and has some new tech that would be cool to check out.

Other than the second-row seat rattle, our Gravity is extremely quiet. When the rattle is squelched by running the seats an inch or so forward, the car is quiet as a tomb except for a little tire hum (which may be partly attributable to the exceptional quietness of the Michelin Primacy tires that tire reviewers have noted). Almost no wind noise even at high speeds, surrounding traffic eerily muted, nothing from typical culprits such as the dashboard (and ours has even been removed and reinstalled by a Service Center).

Everything about the Gravity telegraphs a vault-like body structure, no matter how rough the road.

As for the new tech, UX 3.0 has a long road yet to reach full functionality (which it will do with OTA updates), but the hardware of the dual screen layout, the extra toggle switches, and the squircle control pads are truly inspired. I think they're a significant step up from the Air hardware which I have always preferred over our first- and second-generation Model S UI hardware.

 

[illopp00]

I feel like the Gravity we test drove the vent switches feel much more solid than the Air (the switchgear buttons too) ; other than that the 25 Pure Loaner I have seems much more vault like as well, just like the Gravity. The steering in particular is super tight and no squeaks. I think they have dialed in all aspects of the Air by now, Gravity is still so new that it's hard to know about the newer parts (seat mechanisms for 2nd and 3rd row, frunk opening, Air suspension).

 

[hydbob]

My 2026 Gravity >>>> 2021 Air DE by miles and miles. Also, I feel the Gravity is more nimble and an overall beter daily driver.

 

[Ron_Burgundy]

What others said plus air still has CCS right? Deal killer compared to Gravity.

I had a 2022 AGT loaner while Gravity was at SC. Its software is definitely way behind (except CarPlay!) 3.3.1. As well, the pilot screen in Gravity is far more useful given orientation. And the squircle is awesome.

As others have said, just get what fits your use case. Gravity will have better soundproofing, sound, etc because it’s all new and they clearly took everything I hated about the air and got rid of it in Gravity.

The 2026 Air really isn’t largely different from prior years. Yes, I know it has a heat pump. Also, Snoop Dogg drives gravity. Way better spokesperson that Chalamet!

 

[L-Dude]

Hello,

I have a 2022 Air GT which is coming up on the end of its lease. From reading these forums, I understand the build quality of the newer model years is better (fewer rattles / creaks / squeaks / etc.). Does anyone have experience comparing a 2025 or 2026 Air vs. Gravity in terms of fit and finish and build quality?

I am leaning toward a Gravity but part of me says get a 2026 Air so there are hopefully fewer of these issues.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts.

This is just one data point and my car is still very new, but my '25 Air GT is the most solid car I've ever driven. My past cars include Audi, BMW and Mercedes. The thing is a freakin' beast.