Is Lucid styling the problem?

No driving dynamics?
I started to, and then deleted it. Too many unknowns, because the only ones I have actually driven are the Macan, Lyriq (but not the V), and Gravity. And all those brands are known for driving dynamics, so there may not be that much differentiation. So far, the Macan was the best, by a lot.
 
Funny thing is that when I tell my customers that I drive a Lucid.... They always are curious or they say really nice stuff about the car. Usually about the styling.

IMHO the Lucid is one of the best looking EV's in the market.
I've heard two separate channels comment that the Lucid Air looks like a modern day Citroen DS and I can see what they mean. The rear C pillar is something
 
From the side view the Gravity looks gorgeous. Clean lines, looks fast just sitting there. I've had a couple of people comment to me on this. So from an exterior standpoint I think Lucid has done a good job.

Now if you say "here's an SUV how does it look?" I think many/some folks would instantly go "that's not an SUV it isn't boxy". This is something that Rivan doesn't have to battle as you look at their cars and instantly it says SUV (R1S) or pickup truck (R1T, although a bit of an odd duck on the pickup).
IMO, Gravity is the thoroughbred of SUVs
 
I think the "threat" of BYD is massively exagerated in the USA. Nobody here is buying a Chinese car. VINFast failed, Kia and Hyundai took decades to be taken seriously too.
They are a threat—but not for the Gravity segment of the market.

The Korean carmakers are basically traveling the same trajectory as the Japanese carmakers in the 80s and 90s. Back then, Toyota and Honda were also laughed at for being cheap econoboxes with no branding and no cachet, and they similarly took decades to establish footholds and become household names. Vinfast has failed, in large part b/c they built a car way too quickly, and it looks like they're unwilling to go through the same grind as the other Asian manufacturers have.

But BYD et al are competitive in the middle market, everyday driving segment, against the Accords and Camrys and Model 3/Ys of the world. You're right that their high-end vehicles won't make a dent here, because a part of what people pay for is the brand and the recognition which they don't have.
 
Preface: my bias is that my GGT has been relatively trouble-free and I have a capacity for grace and understanding.

As someone in the quiet luxury camp, I like my GGT precisely because it flies under the radar (or at least, I think it does). From the outside it is unassuming and efficient. As long as you don't do anything too crazy stylistically, it's mostly subjective anyways so it doesn't matter - everything else about the experience, you feel that the money went somewhere meaningful and purposeful (and yes, you learn in life that something can be both well-engineered and simultaneously lacking in the fit and finish department). But flying under the radar doesn't mean people are unaware - my Gravity ownership is a surprisingly recurring topic to discuss during team dinners, and I promise I'm not bringing it up.

When I can, I park in places where I can gauge public reaction to the GGT from passersby, as a matter of curiosity and not vanity of course: it regularly swivels heads in the admittedly advanced demographics. I'd have loved to have captured all the reactions and double takes if only "Sentry"-like functionality was in place. Nonetheless it is a far cry from the enthusiastic U-turns into the gas station to check out my new MX-5 RF on its first year on the market. And that's okay, because this not an inexpensive vehicle, nor is the package, as nice as it is, particularly exciting for your average 20-something.

I am in the very fortunate position of being able to have my pick of the automotive litter in my 30s. G wagens, Range Rovers, 911s and all the other "brand within a brand" models that project character and command the road definitely have their appeal as something to which to aspire (as a child I thought I'd be a cool M5 dad but the market has taken a sharp left turn - indeed, which cars do kids have posters of on their bedroom walls these days?) but lately they feel more like jewelry and expressions of personality than anything of substance. Like in any trade, having the right tool in the toolbox for this family of four is an underrated luxury. In fact, the only car my peers (who are all in similar lifestages and tax brackets) are more excited to talk about is the Sienna, and for 95% of us, it's not a question of "if" we're getting a Sienna but "when." My wishlist? I wish the Gravity had sliding doors - it already has the disappearing 3rd row. I bought it anyway. It's the closest thing to a performance luxury minivan (sorry, marketing department), and for someone who began to think about cars more as means rather than ends (who still likes the finer things), the Gravity is a very nice means indeed.

The problem, if I can be so bold, is expectations. Lucid's tagline unfortunately set a high bar and being public, it's that much harder to make the hard but optimal decisions when you've got the quarterly peanut gallery with which to contend. Say "Compromise Nothing" and I'll look to prove you wrong from every angle. But if you say "The Power to Surprise" I'll be pleasantly surprised that you have Bluetooth and that someone in corporate signed off on warrantying a POS powertrain for 10 whole years (still salty about throwing a rod on the freeway in the heat of summer). Maybe "Grace, Space, and Pace" fits better - is Lucid the modern day Jaguar? Honestly not a bad choice for a getaway car...
 
I started to, and then deleted it. Too many unknowns, because the only ones I have actually driven are the Macan, Lyriq (but not the V), and Gravity. And all those brands are known for driving dynamics, so there may not be that much differentiation. So far, the Macan was the best, by a lot.
I'd be curious what you think of the Polestar 3 driving dynamics. I haven't driven the other brands you have, and I was only able to do an extended test drive in a Gravity with the base wheels. It handled really well, but didn't have the "on rails" feel of the P3.
 
I'd be curious what you think of the Polestar 3 driving dynamics. I haven't driven the other brands you have, and I was only able to do an extended test drive in a Gravity with the base wheels. It handled really well, but didn't have the "on rails" feel of the P3.
I am looking forward to that test drive. Driving dynamics is one of the high praises in the reviews, and the owners on the forums rave about the driving.
 
I work for Porsche.... at a dealership.... We only have a few orders so far... But it will pick up... We are having a party here soon to show off the car.
Do you work for Porsche or for a privately owned dealer, if I may ask?
 
Yup. Mercedes uses the Burmester brand liberally, from "ordinary" mid-tier systems to the mega ultra premium class like Bowers & Wilkins and AKG Studio Reference. (FYI, AKG Studio is crap.) By contrast, Porsche uses Burmester for their ultra premium systems and Bose for mid-tier.

I am casting a pretty wide net for my next car. The short list will likely be driven mostly by what is actually available at the time I need to pull the trigger. Here are my personal assessments based on the styling and related comments above. None of my options are perfect, so the choice will come down to what I can get and what compromise can I live with.

Car
Blockers
Dependability
HUD
Exterior Styling
Interior Styling
PaaK
Audio
Luxury Support
ADAS
Polestar 3AverageAverageGoodGoodYesSpectacularAverageHands-on
R2AvailabilityTBDAverageGoodGoodYesGoodAverageHands-free
iX3Availability & AudioTBDAdvancedFunkyStarkYesCrapFull LuxHands-free
GravityFob & SoftwareBelow AverageBelow AverageVery GoodVery GoodNoGoodBelow AverageHands-on
EX60AvailabilityTBDAverageGoodGoodYesSpectacularAverageHands-on
GLC EVAvailabilityTBDAverageGoodGorgeousYesGoodFull LuxHands-on
Macan EVNo OPDAverageAdvancedGorgeousGorgeousNoVery goodFull LuxHands-on
Lyriq VSoftware & AudioBelow AverageAdvancedVery GoodVery GoodYesCrapBelow Average
Hands-free​
This is legit my exact list. Not even kidding. I would switch the Polestar and Macan on the exterior styling though for my personal preferance but otherwise generally agree.

This does prove that no car is perfect and it is all about what you are willing to live with. Another section I would have added is range and charging speed. That is what holding back a few of these for me personally that also boost the appeal of others.

To the topic, I don't think the Gravity has a "styling" problem. It is different enough and certainly stands out in a world of bland or extreme automotive design. I thought the Gravity X concept they unveiled last year was damn near perfect and fixed any issues I had with the styling beforehand. While I get restraint is the name for Lucid, I do wish they offered a trim like the X concept that made it feel more special or that the Grand Touring differentiated itself on the outside to more like an AMG, M, RS variant of the vehicle. If I'm paying this much for a car, I do want it to feel special, specially if I'm going to the top of the line trim. My two cents.
 
I am looking forward to that test drive. Driving dynamics is one of the high praises in the reviews, and the owners on the forums rave about the driving.
I also see that you are in Georgia. Will you be test driving out of the Polestar in ATL?

If so, can you share your experience with me. I had a horrible one last year and am wondering if it was a bad time or if that is how they handle themselves in general.
 
This is legit my exact list. Not even kidding. I would switch the Polestar and Macan on the exterior styling though for my personal preferance but otherwise generally agree.

This does prove that no car is perfect and it is all about what you are willing to live with. Another section I would have added is range and charging speed. That is what holding back a few of these for me personally that also boost the appeal of others.

To the topic, I don't think the Gravity has a "styling" problem. It is different enough and certainly stands out in a world of bland or extreme automotive design. I thought the Gravity X concept they unveiled last year was damn near perfect and fixed any issues I had with the styling beforehand. While I get restraint is the name for Lucid, I do wish they offered a trim like the X concept that made it feel more special or that the Grand Touring differentiated itself on the outside to more like an AMG, M, RS variant of the vehicle. If I'm paying this much for a car, I do want it to feel special, specially if I'm going to the top of the line trim. My two cents.
I agree with this, while the Gravity is not bad looking, its not exciting looking either and belies its "super SUV" aspirations. I think it needs at least some trim options to make it look a bit more visually "exciting"
 
I agree with this, while the Gravity is not bad looking, its not exciting looking either and belies its "super SUV" aspirations. I think it needs at least some trim options to make it look a bit more visually "exciting"
Like the Gravity X
 
I agree with this, while the Gravity is not bad looking, its not exciting looking either and belies its "super SUV" aspirations. I think it needs at least some trim options to make it look a bit more visually "exciting"
I agree it's not an exciting look. But let's remember that first and foremost it's a LUXURY car, not an off-road SUV. They may refer to it as an SUV for marketing purposes because SUVs are the most desirable class in the US, but it's a long way from being a true SUV (like an Escalade or Expedition). It's really a wagon in my book, if I had to pick one category to describe it. It's not tall enough to be a true SUV.

Given that it's really a wagon design, and it's a luxury car, I think the styling fits. I wouldn't try to make it sporty looking. It's already trying to be so many different things (SUV... wagon... minivan...) that trying to add sporty to the list would just confuse it more. The "sporty" comes in the most practical part: the rocket ship power.

As much as I would like more SUV-like height and better (way better) visibility out the back, I know that would seriously reduce the range. The super range is one of the biggest selling points, and the #1 reason I chose it. Without that I'd have picked something that's a real SUV.
 
Another section I would have added is range and charging speed. That is what holding back a few of these for me personally that also boost the appeal of others.
Great point... I totally forgot. I do not road trip often, and I am accustomed to 300+ miles of BEV range, so I cold forgot that many of those cannot make it to 300 miles. I will have to do a bit more research and edit that table.
I also see that you are in Georgia. Will you be test driving out of the Polestar in ATL?
Yes, though I probably will not be able to get to it until mid- to late-June. I have only seen a few in the wild, so I am looking forward to getting the close in experience.
 
I work for Porsche North Scottsdale in Arizona. I work for Penske Automotive.
Thanks! College summers worked for Penske Racing Tire out of Southfield MI., covering all races in the midwest other than Indy 500. Great guy! Incredibly demanding, but demanded just as much from himself as well! Tons of respect for that guy!
 
Thanks! College summers worked for Penske Racing Tire out of Southfield MI., covering all races in the midwest other than Indy 500. Great guy! Incredibly demanding, but demanded just as much from himself as well! Tons of respect for that guy!
Roger is flat out one amazing human being. He is a true leader and truly earned the nickname "Captain"
 
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