Gravity Plan B

[Ron_Burgundy]

I should add - I am disappointed the Gravity hasn’t had more OTA updates. Our 2016 X and early R1S quad easily had at least one OTA per month, if not more. But I am trying to be patient.

 

[Ron_Burgundy]

I thought so too, but was surprised when I saw that the midsized neue iX3 is targeted for 400 mile EPA range and has demonstrated 400kW max charging power. That's a remarkable combination which is unmatched in a midsized vehicle.

If it’s really only 108 kWh battery, that IS impressive…but more than the Air Pure and Air Touring…

 

[tonybot]

Actually, my main reason has to do with software. I don’t doubt BMW can put together a solid car (albeit I think their battery chemistry is meh). But the non-EV focused makers haven’t shown their ability to regularly update software and add meaningful features based on my understanding from friends and experience with an iX and Kia EV6. That said, their fobs work…

Granted, I have not owned my Gravity long enough to know whether Lucid has software “chops”. Our Tesla and Rivian are markedly better than when we got them because of OTAs. I cannot say the same about the EV6 we had (only a year) or our iX.

But, again, 1,000% my opinion and this is why it’s great there are many manufacturers making EVs now.

I currently own an iX (2025) and Air (2024). The reason to go iX was primarily an amazing lease deal. However, there were a few pleasant surprises. Build quality is good, gets more than EPA rated range, hands-free highway is superb and auto parking always works. Parallel, angled, in between cars, with just lines, etc. Also love the dash cam feature - auto and manual activation. It is quiet, comfortable and my BW sounds system is one of the best. Software updates are quarterly scheduled and sporadic bug fix releases. Last quarterly update was meh, compared to amazing features Lucid has been rolling out.

But it doesn’t come close to my Air with regards to handling, tuning, packaging and pure joy in driving.

 

[dbsb3233]

I made a comment similar this recently to some folks i was speaking with about EVs. I said no more EVs from non-EV only makers. It’s not a core business for them. For the foreseeable future I’ll buy from the US EV makers. I like offerings from all three so I’ll be fine.

The question is will companies like Lucid and Rivian even survive long enough to reach profitability? That's a real risk.

I'm willing to take that chance because as a product, the Gravity is so far ahead of the competition in many ways. But I'd be lying if I said I wasn't concerned about them still existing 3 years down the road to support it.

 

[64right1]

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?

Yep; same. I love my ‘26 X7 (went totally opposite direction w/V8) ,, in 3 years will see where Lucid is. Endless waiting; i ran out of time. But if BMW is on radar just do it and come back to Lucid or other later.

 

[illopp00]

We did complete our loop of the test drives and here is what the rankings ended up with some notes:

1: Lucid Gravity - Overall best driving and ride, space, frunk, charging, range, best test drive experience with the Studio folks vs stealership; downside is availability and lease cost.
2: Volve EX90: Also drove really well, couldn't test an Ultra with Air Suspension, but it's quite agile, smooth and drives well plus awesome sound system and good design. Smallest 3rd row and overall space. Similar leasing rates to the Vistiq.
3: Hyundai Ioniq 9: Tested the SEL. Car drives really easy and smooth, although a bit boring. Great charging, space is also good and value. Leases are compelling. Dealer experience was bad, they weren't ready, had moved out the Calligraphy we wanted, the test car wasn't quite ready and filled with stuff and only charged to 19%.
4: Cadillac Vistiq Platinum: Great Tech like Video Camera Rear Mirror, Super Cruise, HUD. Rode pretty bad on 23 low profile and drove the worst from ride refinement and most big and trucklike. Dealer was willing to give us the 7500 tax credit in a lease which the vehicle was 100K MSRP. Liked the Green on the Luxury trim and would probably go for that since its 7 seat. Ultimately it only offers tow package with 6 seater.

Biggest surprise for me was the Air Ride cars didn't ride significantly better than the Volvo or most interestingly our Air Touring or Loaner Pure. I like the ride height adjustability but was expecting more magic.. I think the Gravity and Ioniq 9 are really the only buyable ones, since they have Native NACS and 800V platform. I believe both the Volvo and Vistiq will get a new year refresh to add NACs. I feel like changing a charge port to NACs should be an OEM upgrade/retrofit option for older EVs. The Gravity and Pure loaner I have from 25 also feel like better from build quality which I can't really explain, and both their steering feels tighter.