Gravity; SUV or Minivan

[pyle112]

Were any more details than that shared? (Like why the redesign was needed?

I think the Gravity looks a lot like the Aviator. So, is anyone saying the Aviator is a minivan? Not that I know of.

So why is it an issue with Gravity? Is it because the roof is flatter?


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It's the prestige gap https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTYXEhWu1/

 

[Leftlane]

These are great side by side pictures that illustrate the differences between these two. The Aviator has a more pronounces sloping roof line with a heavy skew towards the rear. This was a trade off they felt was worth it given that rear headroom is going to be more limited compared to Gravity.

Minivans visually have a flatter roofline and the rear of the cabins are usually more vertical, again, for more capacity / utility but with the downside of visual appeal. SUV's also generally have a larger diameter tire, irrespective of wheel size.

Another attribute of a minivan is how much long the car is post rear door. Gravity is LONG post rear door giving it that overall longer look. Minivans are also relatively low to the ground.

Additionally, you have a relatively short hood as well.

Not one of these attributes alone equate to a minivan, but in combination, you create a minivan looking-ish design.

Did somebody say “length post rear door”? Doesn’t look like a minivan to me either (although in person it looks droopy in the rear like a full diaper)

 

[AP22]

Did somebody say “length post rear door”? Doesn’t look like a minivan to me either (although in person it looks droopy in the rear like a full diaper)

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There are tons of long SUV's. Escalade ESV is a practically a train.

But again, in my initial post: "Not one of these attributes alone equate to a minivan, but in combination, you create a minivan looking-ish design."

 

[xponents]

I think the Gravity looks a lot like the Aviator. So, is anyone saying the Aviator is a minivan? Not that I know of.

So why is it an issue with Gravity? Is it because the roof is flatter?


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I've really liked the Aviator, and I agree with this. For me, this picture really illustrates the differences: the body lines are almost the exact same, however, IMO, the "curves" on the rear of the car give it a very mini-van like look. I never "liked" the back of the Gravity, and even the back of the Air didn't look as good as some of its other angles, so this makes sense.

 

[Knucklehead]

It's the prestige gap https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTYXEhWu1/
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I think this is a good observation.

I am afraid to say this, because I don't like it, but the comparison with the Sienna is closer than the comparison with the Aviator. I think it is what you pointed out with the front of the vehicle, but also the height of the rear bumper over the ground. A SUV has higher clearance in the front and rear, and there is too much overhang on the front, and the rear is too close to the ground. Hmm.

I still want one.

 

[hmp10]

Minivans visually have a flatter roofline and the rear of the cabins are usually more vertical . . . .

So, then, this is a minivan?

Minivans are also relatively low to the ground.

Additionally, you have a relatively short hood as well.

And this, too, is a minivan then?

Honestly, you're just inventing whatever "standards" suit you to bolster your argument that the Gravity is a minivan.

There's not a single characteristic I have seen anyone claim in this discussion to categorically define a minivan or an SUV that I cannot find an example of its presence in a vehicle of the other category.

Lucid chooses to call the Gravity an SUV, just as Tesla chooses to call the Model X an SUV and Rivian chooses to call the R1S an SUV. Why are Tesla's and Rivian's categorizations almost universally accepted but Lucid's is being picked apart using cherry-picked standards every way from Sunday?

Rawlinson said the Gravity is aimed at an addressable market six times that of luxury sedans. He didn't mean the minivan market. If he's wrong and the notion that the Gravity is a minivan takes hold among a public largely (and absurdly) averse to minivans, he really landed in the wrong market for what the Gravity needs to do for Lucid.

You can say that the Gravity will set new standards for what a minivan can be and will change the public's mind, and the issue will evaporate. Well, the Air set new standards for what a luxury sports sedan could be . . . and its sales numbers have been a chronic disappointment.

 

[msaunders9430]

So, then, this is a minivan?

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And this, too, is a minivan then?

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Honestly, you're just inventing whatever "standards" suit you to bolster your argument that the Gravity is a minivan.

There's not a single characteristic I have seen anyone claim in this discussion to categorically define a minivan or an SUV that I cannot find an example of its presence in a vehicle of the other category.

Lucid chooses to call the Gravity an SUV, just as Tesla chooses to call the Model X an SUV and Rivian chooses to call the R1S an SUV. Why are Tesla's and Rivian's categorizations almost universally accepted but Lucid's is being picked apart using cherry-picked standards every way from Sunday?

Rawlinson said the Gravity is aimed at an addressable market six times that of luxury sedans. He didn't mean the minivan market. If he's wrong and the notion that the Gravity is a minivan takes hold among a public largely (and absurdly) averse to minivans, he really landed in the wrong market for what the Gravity needs to do for Lucid.

You can say that the Gravity will set new standards for what a minivan can be and will change the public's mind, and the issue will evaporate. Well, the Air set new standards for what a luxury sports sedan could be . . . and its sales numbers have been a chronic disappointment.

The Rivian has the higher ground clearance.
The Tesla has the sloped roof.
Therefore both defy the minivan look.

Gravity is defying gravity. Kidding
Gravity is defying the typical SUV form factors (mentioned is these most recent posts with the Navigator comparison) for the sake of function ( 3rd row headroom).

 

[Knucklehead]

The Rivian has the higher ground clearance.
The Tesla has the sloped roof.
Therefore both defy the minivan look.

Gravity is defying gravity. Kidding
Gravity is defying the typical SUV form factors (mentioned is these most recent posts with the Navigator comparison) for the sake of function ( 3rd row headroom).

One thing that makes Gravity look a lot less like a minivan are the wheel wells and wheels. They are much larger than on a typical minivan. As is apparent in the image comparison with the Sienna.

 

[msaunders9430]

One thing that makes Gravity look a lot less like a minivan are the wheel wells and wheels. They are much larger than on a typical minivan. As is apparent in the image comparison with the Sienna.

The lack of a rear sliding door also makes it look less like a minivan. Although, that fact isn't obvious since sliding rear doors are now designed such that you can't tell if the door opens or slides.

For me that is a significant characteristic of a minivan. As much as I like the Gravity, I'm not sure I would buy it if it had sliding rear doors. It's not so much the look of them. I just don't like them.

 

[DeaneG]

Minivan or not Minivan, the Gravity is sooo much better looking than the Sienna.

 

[hmp10]

Gravity is defying the typical SUV form factors . . . .

I can hardly think of a three-row vehicle -- the Gravity included -- that looks less like a typical SUV than the Model X. Yet no one bats an eye about calling it an SUV.

I just don't get it. Tesla puts that rounded blob on the road, calls it an SUV, and everybody says, "yep, look, it's Tesla's SUV".

Lucid rolls out the Gravity, calls it an SUV, and everybody says, "wait, hold the phone. It's got this feature, that line, this curve that reminds me of something I saw on this or that minivan. How dare they call it an SUV? Who are they trying to fool?"

Whether you define "sport" as the sport of driving or the sport of outdoor adventure, the Gravity will trounce the Model X on driving and handling and be at least as good in moderate off-road conditions. It will absolutely slay the Model X in terms of "utility", whether that means cargo capacity or passenger room. And they are both equally "vehicles".

So why is one universally accepted as a Sport Utility Vehicle and the other continually challenged in its claim to be such?

 

[pyle112]

I can hardly think of a three-row vehicle -- the Gravity included -- that looks less like a typical SUV than the Model X. Yet no one bats an eye about calling it an SUV.

I just don't get it. Tesla puts that rounded blob on the road, calls it an SUV, and everybody says, "yep, look, it's Tesla's SUV".

Lucid rolls out the Gravity, calls it an SUV, and everybody says, "wait, hold the phone. It's got this feature, that line, this curve that reminds me of something I saw on this or that minivan. How dare they call it an SUV? Who are they trying to fool?"

Whether you define "sport" as the sport of driving or the sport of outdoor adventure, the Gravity will trounce the Model X on driving and handling and be at least as good in moderate off-road conditions. It will absolutely slay the Model X in terms of "utility", whether that means cargo capacity or passenger room. And they are both equally "vehicles".

So why is one universally accepted as a Sport Utility Vehicle and the other continually challenged in its claim to be such?

Probably because the x doesn't look like a minivan

For the record I like me some minivan... Captains chairs for days

 

[borski]

I hate this entire thread.

 

[hmp10]

I hate this entire thread.

But we've all worked so hard on it -- digging up pictures and everything.

Oh, well. Ain't no real Internet forum without the haters.

 

[Pragmatic]

"Man, if you have to ask, you'll never know"

 

[DrLucid]

Audi called its etron suv but as per the comments made by some it doesn’t qualify to be one.
Gravity being compared to Toyota minivan and others just sounds really ridiculous.

 

[msaunders9430]

I can hardly think of a three-row vehicle -- the Gravity included -- that looks less like a typical SUV than the Model X. Yet no one bats an eye about calling it an SUV.

I just don't get it. Tesla puts that rounded blob on the road, calls it an SUV, and everybody says, "yep, look, it's Tesla's SUV".

Lucid rolls out the Gravity, calls it an SUV, and everybody says, "wait, hold the phone. It's got this feature, that line, this curve that reminds me of something I saw on this or that minivan. How dare they call it an SUV? Who are they trying to fool?"

Whether you define "sport" as the sport of driving or the sport of outdoor adventure, the Gravity will trounce the Model X on driving and handling and be at least as good in moderate off-road conditions. It will absolutely slay the Model X in terms of "utility", whether that means cargo capacity or passenger room. And they are both equally "vehicles".

So why is one universally accepted as a Sport Utility Vehicle and the other continually challenged in its claim to be such?

I agree, especially about the Model X looking like an suv.

I say Gravity defies the typical SUV form factors.
However, it doesn't conform to the minivan form such to call it a minivan.

As some have said, it's got its own look.
It has elements of both suv and minivan (internally and externally).

It's unique. There is nothing else on the road like and I love that.

The Cybertruck doesn't look like a truck. It's got its own look Gravity isn't as polarizing, to me at least.

Anyone who doesn't buy a Gravity because they think it looks like a minivan, so be it. I don't see it significantly affecting sales. It's possible it could attract those looking for a minivan who think it looks like one along with suv shoppers who think it looks like an suv. Perfect!

 

[Bobby]

Audi called its etron suv but as per the comments made by some it doesn’t qualify to be one.
Gravity being compared to Toyota minivan and others just sounds really ridiculous.

This thread is what is ridiculous. Each potential buyer will evaluate the car based on his or her own viewpoint and priorities. Someone will find the appearance to be exactly what they wanted, others will not. Someone will think it looks like an SUV, others will compare it to a minivan. So what?

 

[DrLucid]

Gravity is redefining SUV just not being higher than other SUVs from ground and reducing things by being against the norms set in 1980’s. This is 2024. Good to see a company defying the rules and seeing a new standard

 

[DrLucid]

This thread is what is ridiculous. Each potential buyer will evaluate the car based on his or her own viewpoint and priorities. Someone will find the appearance to be exactly what they wanted, others will not. Someone will think it looks like an SUV, others will compare it to a minivan. So what?

Nothing wrong in comparing it to a minivan but imposing it to be a minivan when it’s not in many ways, is the problem.