Gravity Plan B

[WeighingGravity]

Well, I have to admit it - I am starting to think about a Gravity Plan B. I just don't have a ton of confidence I'm going to get this car any time soon. There's a very real possibility this gets dragged out into 2026. Gosh, I hope I am wrong, but at a certain point I have to wonder: Maybe Lucid's just not that into me. Since there's nothing else to talk about besides arguing about what Lucid should or shouldn't have communicated and when, or speculating on holdups, maybe at least it would be fun to talk about alternatives (and how and why they don't compare )

I think I would go in one of two directions:

Rivian R1S, probably a tri-motor with max range.

• Pros: Comparable vehicle class/size/convenience/camp mode, same (better) acceleration figures (not necessary but fun), price (cheaper than GT, much cheaper than DE), better lease/finance terms, tintable glass roof, more established automaker with more service centers and fielded vehicles. Ride in the 2nd gen is supposed to be pretty good. Oh, and I can get one now.
• Cons: Less range/efficiency, no NACS (helpful for me because I have a Tesla now, which I will keep, and so home charging will require a new charger or an adaptor), MUCH slower Supercharging and thus less road-trip-ability, much less refined cabin (it's not bad but not on Lucid level), packaging not as good (less overall room, 3rd row not as useful - although i will use row 3 extremely rarely). Overall driving dynamics won't be nearly as good as Lucid.

Lucid Air GT.

• Pros: Probably a better driving car overall. Still a Lucid with a beautiful interior (honestly I think Lucid's interiors are the best in the business to my tastes right now). Cheap as s*** and incentivized to heck right now. AVAILABLE NOW.
• Cons: Much less convenience. Even a significant downgrade from my Tesla S with a hatch - I hate the Air trunk. Ultimately, it just isn't the class of vehicle I was looking to buy just now. No NACS. No Tesla SC Boost. Also I personally don't think the Air looks as good as Gravity. I hate the contrasting color and shape/size of the C pillar - it reminds me of the bad Cadillacs from the 80s and makes it look like an old man's car (though the rest of the car looks quite good). I still hear scary stuff about the software. It will feel like 2nd prize.

OK, I said 2, but just for giggles I'll throw in the Hummer EV SUV.

• Pros: I freaking love the removeable T-Top feature. It's totally unique in the world and just so much fun (though I question how often I would actually use it - manual removal and stowage cannot be a simple procedure). Still a stupid acceleration vehicle. Can go anywhere! Crab Walk (not sure what the point is but fun for a toy). Has an undeniable cool factor; I'm ashamed to admit it but I still go "oooh" when I see one and can't deny I kind of want one. Cheaper than Gravity. I could be driving one this weekend.
• Cons: Just about everything else. Efficiency is a joke, no NACS, DC Fast Charging will be a pain, this thing probably can't road trip. Interior is, uhhh, not good. I test drove one and there were squeaks and rattles all over the place.

What about you guys? Anyone else starting to get dismayed? Do you have a drop-dead point where you finally leave your abusive car-teaser? If you did, into whose willing arms would you run?

 

[DeaneG]

If Gravity's attributes are the ones you want, there is currently nothing else close to comparable. It all comes down to what compromises you'd choose to make.
Personally, I'd just wait. Lucid's communication vacuum leaves you too much time to think.

 

[Elfin]

Be patient.
What about EQS SUV lease? killer deals on those.

 

[hmp10]

. . . the Hummer EV SUV.

• Pros: I freaking love the removeable T-Top feature. It's totally unique in the world and just so much fun (though I question how often I would actually use it - manual removal and stowage cannot be a simple procedure).

FWIW, I once had a Corvette with the removable T-top. I kept a roll of paper towels in the car to stuff into the cracks between the windows and the roof during a rainstorm or when going through a carwash.

 

[hmp10]

With June knocking on the door, it now seems Lucid was fortunate that the plans fell through for a press event around the first Gravity Dream delivery in Scottsdale at the end of April.

Seen today it would look as embarrassing as that highly-touted "start of delivery" event last December now looks to most order holders.

 

[Doug]

The Rivian is a nice SUV. I have a R1T and love it as a truck. A couple big negatives in my view are not as fast charging and some have a lot of phantom drain. I am looking to be a all EV household and am debating between the R1S or the Gravity. Where we live range is really important and the extra fast charging are important to me on road trips so I am leaning toward the Gravity, But we are not in a hurry as we have a relatively new Toyota highlander hybrid.

 

[HC_79]

With June knocking on the door, it now seems Lucid was fortunate that the plans fell through for a press event around the first Gravity Dream delivery in Scottsdale at the end of April.

Seen today it would look as embarrassing as that highly-touted "start of delivery" event last December now looks to most order holders.

At this point they're going to need to hold another relaunch event to the relaunch event that took place in March.

 

[Leftlane]

The Rivian adapter for NACS is not very expensive and is available now, and they can charge at fast speeds at Tesla SCs right now too - people report getting up to 250 or so, which is as fast as I’ve ever seen on my Model S anyway. I don’t think you’d have any issues roadtripping an R1S and they have big incentives on them too. I just did a test drive at the local service center and I liked it - but their prices have gone through the roof over the last few years. The 1st gen quad motor version was like $78k, now it will be $120k plus. Still less than a loaded Gravity but you could have one in a few weeks for sure. The Hummer has to be a joke - that thing is godawful and weighs like 10k lbs. What a ridiculous abomination, even if it does have some neat party tricks.

 

[HC_79]

Well, I have to admit it - I am starting to think about a Gravity Plan B. I just don't have a ton of confidence I'm going to get this car any time soon. There's a very real possibility this gets dragged out into 2026. Gosh, I hope I am wrong, but at a certain point I have to wonder: Maybe Lucid's just not that into me. Since there's nothing else to talk about besides arguing about what Lucid should or shouldn't have communicated and when, or speculating on holdups, maybe at least it would be fun to talk about alternatives (and how and why they don't compare )

I think I would go in one of two directions:

Rivian R1S, probably a tri-motor with max range.

• Pros: Comparable vehicle class/size/convenience/camp mode, same (better) acceleration figures (not necessary but fun), price (cheaper than GT, much cheaper than DE), better lease/finance terms, tintable glass roof, more established automaker with more service centers and fielded vehicles. Ride in the 2nd gen is supposed to be pretty good. Oh, and I can get one now.
• Cons: Less range/efficiency, no NACS (helpful for me because I have a Tesla now, which I will keep, and so home charging will require a new charger or an adaptor), MUCH slower Supercharging and thus less road-trip-ability, much less refined cabin (it's not bad but not on Lucid level), packaging not as good (less overall room, 3rd row not as useful - although i will use row 3 extremely rarely). Overall driving dynamics won't be nearly as good as Lucid.

Lucid Air GT.

• Pros: Probably a better driving car overall. Still a Lucid with a beautiful interior (honestly I think Lucid's interiors are the best in the business to my tastes right now). Cheap as s*** and incentivized to heck right now. AVAILABLE NOW.
• Cons: Much less convenience. Even a significant downgrade from my Tesla S with a hatch - I hate the Air trunk. Ultimately, it just isn't the class of vehicle I was looking to buy just now. No NACS. No Tesla SC Boost. Also I personally don't think the Air looks as good as Gravity. I hate the contrasting color and shape/size of the C pillar - it reminds me of the bad Cadillacs from the 80s and makes it look like an old man's car (though the rest of the car looks quite good). I still hear scary stuff about the software. It will feel like 2nd prize.

OK, I said 2, but just for giggles I'll throw in the Hummer EV SUV.

• Pros: I freaking love the removeable T-Top feature. It's totally unique in the world and just so much fun (though I question how often I would actually use it - manual removal and stowage cannot be a simple procedure). Still a stupid acceleration vehicle. Can go anywhere! Crab Walk (not sure what the point is but fun for a toy). Has an undeniable cool factor; I'm ashamed to admit it but I still go "oooh" when I see one and can't deny I kind of want one. Cheaper than Gravity. I could be driving one this weekend.
• Cons: Just about everything else. Efficiency is a joke, no NACS, DC Fast Charging will be a pain, this thing probably can't road trip. Interior is, uhhh, not good. I test drove one and there were squeaks and rattles all over the place.

What about you guys? Anyone else starting to get dismayed? Do you have a drop-dead point where you finally leave your abusive car-teaser? If you did, into whose willing arms would you run?

Trust me, I've looked at a number of options for short term leases until Lucid could get its act together. I had rounded it down to the Polestar 3 and R1S but each had cons that I didn't want to be stuck with on a 2 or 3 year lease.

 

[fleming23]

I have Cadillac Vistiq Platinum or Premium Luxury on my radar should the Gravity drag out too long... I owned both a Rivian R1T and subsequently R1S, both quad motors, (currently Macan 4 EV - waiting lemon law buy back), and while I loved them both, they fill a niche that I do not want or need at this point. I drove both the Gravity and the Vistiq Luxury trim, and was pleasantly surprised by the Vistiq. It has some of the GM cheapness when you look at things like the lower door panel, but as far as size goes, it comes close. I am 6'0 and fit in all 3 rows, just not quite as well as the Gravity. The lack of CarPlay by GM is super annoying IMO, but I would get over it. Honestly, it felt like a well appointed and reasonably priced vehicle as compared to Lucid. DC Fast charging is pretty terrible on the Vistiq, but I very seldom every fast charge so not a concern to me. Range is also pretty low on the Cadillac, comparatively with only around 100 kwh useable.

 

[9point81]

I have the Escalade and Vistiq on my radar as backup plans, but they are a very distant 2nd and 3rd. We will see as time goes on and my current EV is doing nothing but depreciating by the minute, I may make moves.

 

[Disco Marathon]

Well, I have to admit it - I am starting to think about a Gravity Plan B. I just don't have a ton of confidence I'm going to get this car any time soon. There's a very real possibility this gets dragged out into 2026. Gosh, I hope I am wrong, but at a certain point I have to wonder: Maybe Lucid's just not that into me. Since there's nothing else to talk about besides arguing about what Lucid should or shouldn't have communicated and when, or speculating on holdups, maybe at least it would be fun to talk about alternatives (and how and why they don't compare )

I think I would go in one of two directions:

Rivian R1S, probably a tri-motor with max range.

• Pros: Comparable vehicle class/size/convenience/camp mode, same (better) acceleration figures (not necessary but fun), price (cheaper than GT, much cheaper than DE), better lease/finance terms, tintable glass roof, more established automaker with more service centers and fielded vehicles. Ride in the 2nd gen is supposed to be pretty good. Oh, and I can get one now.
• Cons: Less range/efficiency, no NACS (helpful for me because I have a Tesla now, which I will keep, and so home charging will require a new charger or an adaptor), MUCH slower Supercharging and thus less road-trip-ability, much less refined cabin (it's not bad but not on Lucid level), packaging not as good (less overall room, 3rd row not as useful - although i will use row 3 extremely rarely). Overall driving dynamics won't be nearly as good as Lucid.

Lucid Air GT.

• Pros: Probably a better driving car overall. Still a Lucid with a beautiful interior (honestly I think Lucid's interiors are the best in the business to my tastes right now). Cheap as s*** and incentivized to heck right now. AVAILABLE NOW.
• Cons: Much less convenience. Even a significant downgrade from my Tesla S with a hatch - I hate the Air trunk. Ultimately, it just isn't the class of vehicle I was looking to buy just now. No NACS. No Tesla SC Boost. Also I personally don't think the Air looks as good as Gravity. I hate the contrasting color and shape/size of the C pillar - it reminds me of the bad Cadillacs from the 80s and makes it look like an old man's car (though the rest of the car looks quite good). I still hear scary stuff about the software. It will feel like 2nd prize.

OK, I said 2, but just for giggles I'll throw in the Hummer EV SUV.

• Pros: I freaking love the removeable T-Top feature. It's totally unique in the world and just so much fun (though I question how often I would actually use it - manual removal and stowage cannot be a simple procedure). Still a stupid acceleration vehicle. Can go anywhere! Crab Walk (not sure what the point is but fun for a toy). Has an undeniable cool factor; I'm ashamed to admit it but I still go "oooh" when I see one and can't deny I kind of want one. Cheaper than Gravity. I could be driving one this weekend.
• Cons: Just about everything else. Efficiency is a joke, no NACS, DC Fast Charging will be a pain, this thing probably can't road trip. Interior is, uhhh, not good. I test drove one and there were squeaks and rattles all over the place.

What about you guys? Anyone else starting to get dismayed? Do you have a drop-dead point where you finally leave your abusive car-teaser? If you did, into whose willing arms would you run?

I’m in the same boat! Haven’t found anything that meets all three criteria: 1) seats at least seven; 2) fits in my garage (not wider than 80” with mirrors folded); and 3) at least 400 miles of range. Here’s the list of contenders: Rivian R1S, Tesla X, Tesla Y, MB EQS, MB EQB, Kia EV9, Hyundai Ioniq9, Volvo EX90, VW ID.BUZZ, Cadillac Escalade IQ, and Cadillac Vistiq. Would love another option, though. Being at the mercy of Lucid’s glacial roll-out pace is not fun!

 

[msaunders9430]

Well, I have to admit it - I am starting to think about a Gravity Plan B. I just don't have a ton of confidence I'm going to get this car any time soon. There's a very real possibility this gets dragged out into 2026. Gosh, I hope I am wrong, but at a certain point I have to wonder: Maybe Lucid's just not that into me. Since there's nothing else to talk about besides arguing about what Lucid should or shouldn't have communicated and when, or speculating on holdups, maybe at least it would be fun to talk about alternatives (and how and why they don't compare )

I think I would go in one of two directions:

Rivian R1S, probably a tri-motor with max range.

• Pros: Comparable vehicle class/size/convenience/camp mode, same (better) acceleration figures (not necessary but fun), price (cheaper than GT, much cheaper than DE), better lease/finance terms, tintable glass roof, more established automaker with more service centers and fielded vehicles. Ride in the 2nd gen is supposed to be pretty good. Oh, and I can get one now.
• Cons: Less range/efficiency, no NACS (helpful for me because I have a Tesla now, which I will keep, and so home charging will require a new charger or an adaptor), MUCH slower Supercharging and thus less road-trip-ability, much less refined cabin (it's not bad but not on Lucid level), packaging not as good (less overall room, 3rd row not as useful - although i will use row 3 extremely rarely). Overall driving dynamics won't be nearly as good as Lucid.

Lucid Air GT.

• Pros: Probably a better driving car overall. Still a Lucid with a beautiful interior (honestly I think Lucid's interiors are the best in the business to my tastes right now). Cheap as s*** and incentivized to heck right now. AVAILABLE NOW.
• Cons: Much less convenience. Even a significant downgrade from my Tesla S with a hatch - I hate the Air trunk. Ultimately, it just isn't the class of vehicle I was looking to buy just now. No NACS. No Tesla SC Boost. Also I personally don't think the Air looks as good as Gravity. I hate the contrasting color and shape/size of the C pillar - it reminds me of the bad Cadillacs from the 80s and makes it look like an old man's car (though the rest of the car looks quite good). I still hear scary stuff about the software. It will feel like 2nd prize.

OK, I said 2, but just for giggles I'll throw in the Hummer EV SUV.

• Pros: I freaking love the removeable T-Top feature. It's totally unique in the world and just so much fun (though I question how often I would actually use it - manual removal and stowage cannot be a simple procedure). Still a stupid acceleration vehicle. Can go anywhere! Crab Walk (not sure what the point is but fun for a toy). Has an undeniable cool factor; I'm ashamed to admit it but I still go "oooh" when I see one and can't deny I kind of want one. Cheaper than Gravity. I could be driving one this weekend.
• Cons: Just about everything else. Efficiency is a joke, no NACS, DC Fast Charging will be a pain, this thing probably can't road trip. Interior is, uhhh, not good. I test drove one and there were squeaks and rattles all over the place.

What about you guys? Anyone else starting to get dismayed? Do you have a drop-dead point where you finally leave your abusive car-teaser? If you did, into whose willing arms would you run?

If you're looking for an alternative because you're nearing the end of a lease and need an suv to drive, maybe throw the Hyundai Ioniq 9 into the mix.
Range and hp not as good as R1S, but decent overall. SE trim for 36 mos. lease and no money down is just under $700/mo. I couldn't get their payment calculator to give me payments for 24 mos.
It's butt ugly IMO, but so are the R1S and Hummer.
I'm sorry I don't care how good the specs are on a car, if it's ugly, I'm out. I've got to look at it to get in and drive.
I'd put the Ioniq 9 behind the R1S, but in front of the Hummer.

Now if you don't need an suv, AGT all day.
If I didn't need an suv, I'd be over in the Air section of the forum talking about the Fathom Blue AGT I'm getting for my August birthday!
Love the Lucid Air, but need an suv.

 

[Elfin]

The Rivian adapter for NACS is not very expensive and is available now, and they can charge at fast speeds at Tesla SCs right now too - people report getting up to 250 or so, which is as fast as I’ve ever seen on my Model S anyway. I don’t think you’d have any issues roadtripping an R1S and they have big incentives on them too. I just did a test drive at the local service center and I liked it - but their prices have gone through the roof over the last few years. The 1st gen quad motor version was like $78k, now it will be $120k plus. Still less than a loaded Gravity but you could have one in a few weeks for sure. The Hummer has to be a joke - that thing is godawful and weighs like 10k lbs. What a ridiculous abomination, even if it does have some neat party tricks.

Rivian charges about the same as a Model S but is much less efficient so you'd spend much more time charging. My understanding is that Rivians also have thermal issues so they're much less consistent as well. Not sure how a Rivian would get 250kW from a supercharger since Tesla limits current to 500A for non-Tesla vehicles (that slope on Rivian charge curve is the battery voltage increasing and constant 500A current).

 

[borski]

This is a great example of where comparing vehicles is completely fine @JoshG

 

[HC_79]

I have Cadillac Vistiq Platinum or Premium Luxury on my radar should the Gravity drag out too long... I owned both a Rivian R1T and subsequently R1S, both quad motors, (currently Macan 4 EV - waiting lemon law buy back), and while I loved them both, they fill a niche that I do not want or need at this point. I drove both the Gravity and the Vistiq Luxury trim, and was pleasantly surprised by the Vistiq. It has some of the GM cheapness when you look at things like the lower door panel, but as far as size goes, it comes close. I am 6'0 and fit in all 3 rows, just not quite as well as the Gravity. The lack of CarPlay by GM is super annoying IMO, but I would get over it. Honestly, it felt like a well appointed and reasonably priced vehicle as compared to Lucid. DC Fast charging is pretty terrible on the Vistiq, but I very seldom every fast charge so not a concern to me.

I have the Escalade and Vistiq on my radar as backup plans, but they are a very distant 2nd and 3rd. We will see as time goes on and my current EV is doing nothing but depreciating by the minute, I may make moves.

What makes these models interesting is that the Gravity would have outpaced them and been delivered before those models even arrived on the market. However, Lucid’s delayed delivery of the Gravity has forced it to compete against them in an already crowded market, rather than having a slight head start. If someone is informed that they can expect a Gravity in 8 to 12 weeks, compared to seeing a Cadillac available now, Lucid will undoubtedly lose sales due to this disparity even though the Gravity is a hands down better vehicle. While Lucid may adhere to the “Compromise Nothing” philosophy, many people do make compromises, and in this case, the compromise is to purchase from another brand that currently has inventory available.

 

[msaunders9430]

What makes these models interesting is that the Gravity would have outpaced them and been delivered before those models even arrived on the market. However, Lucid’s delayed delivery of the Gravity has forced it to compete against them in an already crowded market, rather than having a slight head start. If someone is informed that they can expect a Gravity in 8 to 12 weeks, compared to seeing a Cadillac available now, Lucid will undoubtedly lose sales due to this disparity even though the Gravity is a hands down better vehicle. While Lucid may adhere to the “Compromise Nothing” philosophy, many people do make compromises, and in this case, the compromise is to purchase from another brand that currently has inventory available.

So unfortunate and yet, so true.
And yet, this has been discussed many times already, so I don't want to derail this thread topic.

One key aspect of this stays with me: To my surprise (don't ask me why), more people seem to lease cars in the price range of the Gravity than purchase.
Therefore, Lucid isn't necessarily losing sales, they losing lease revenue.
However, that lost revenue can return in 24, 36, or 48 months.

Yes, revenue is revenue.
However, long term (3 to 5 years), if the Gravity turns out to be as advertised and reviewed, those leasing a competing model will end up leasing a Gravity.
Add in the possibility of better lease terms than currently offered, and game over.

Now the revenue from purchases is probably gone.
Not forever, but longer than the lost lease revenue.

IMO

 

[HC_79]

One key aspect of this stays with me: To my surprise (don't ask me why), more people seem to lease cars in the price range of the Gravity than purchase.
Therefore, Lucid isn't necessarily losing sales, they losing lease revenue.
However, that lost revenue can return in 24, 36, or 48 months.

Whether its a lease or a purchase its a sale to Lucid and therfore revenue. In this case the vehicle is owned by the lessor which is BoA but if you chose not to buy the vehicle at the end of the lease then Lucid either has to buy it back from the lessor at the residual value to then sell \ auction or they're simply playing a role in getting the vehicle back to then send it to auction on the lessors behalf. Either way though, leases are sales.

 

[illopp00]

I still plan on test driving a Vistiq, EX90 and Ioniq 9 just to make them prove to me that waiting for a Gravity Touring can't toppled.

 

[suyoungman]

Have both the R1S Quad and X Plaid, and taken both on 1,000+ mile trips. The charging disparity is huge between Rivian and Tesla, resulting in more frequent charging stops. Despite its generous interior space, Rivian charges much slower than the X. The Gravity offers space and fast charging, which I really need. Considered the Caddy IQ, but doesn't work for me as its large 200kwh battery would probably take even longer to charge than the Rivian.