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Lucid Air or BMW i5

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Andretex said:
So Joec got about 3.8 mkwh on his trip.

I am getting 4.0 mkwh on not so slow driving on my touring for the last 700 miles. I am in florida so the AC is on all the time.
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Yes, and I left out that I had ACC set to 72 or 75 for the bulk of that trip. So that makes sense for my slightly lower 3.8.
 
We just finished a 600+ mile roundtrip into the mountains, and only DC fast charged for the whole trip once due to destination charging at our hotel. In retrospect we probably didn't even need to DCFC at all, I was just being conservative. Lucid's rate of software improvement has felt slow and every time I drive the car, I wish it had native Google maps/nav as does our other EV. I bought the Air for its range, and for that it is exemplary. It is our fifth EV over 12 years.
 
I did one of those BMW driving events before I got my i4. Lots of fun and helped me decide between the M5 and RWD i4.
 
Lucken said:
I did one of those BMW driving events before I got my i4. Lots of fun and helped me decide between the M5 and RWD i4.
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Wait, you picked your i4 over a freaking M5?? Was it because of the electric powertrain(cant imagine it handles better than the m5)?
 
joec said:
Yes, and I left out that I had ACC set to 72 or 75 for the bulk of that trip. So that makes sense for my slightly lower 3.8.
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Yes. 72 VS 75 can easily make it 3.8 VS 4. Outside temp was 100 to 115 when I maintained 75 with fan speed 8. That is also a factor and 19inch wheels
 
xponents said:
Wait, you picked your i4 over a freaking M5?? Was it because of the electric powertrain(cant imagine it handles better than the m5)?
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I actually liked the handling and feel of the RWD better than the i4 M50 when I drove both back to back. When I completed the event, I spoke to one of the BMW instructors and asked him if I was crazy for feeling that way and he quickly responded by telling me the majority of the instructors felt exactly the same way, preferring the RED. In fact several reviews also mentioned the same thing. It was one of the reasons I had no qualms reserving the RWD Lucid. RWD in an EV is a very different animal than a RWD ICE vehicle. It was only the great Lucid offer that made me change my reservation.

I also had another motivation with the i4, range. Unlike many here, I was never seeking the fastest 0-60 or 1/4 mile speed. The RWD gave me enough of both. :)
 
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I saw the i5 while at the BMW factory in Munich, it is very nice and sportier than the Mercedes EQE in my opinion. Much nicer than the i4, and I liked it more than the EQE... The Lucid is on another level, it is a total bargain. To me comparing a Lucid to a BMW is kind lot like comparing a BMW, Mercedes, or Lexus to an Aston Martin or Maserati... The Lucid has a soul, and to me it just feels one notch better...
 
The range for me was the impetus for seriously considering the LUCID, the most expensive car I have ever owned. The test drive clinched it. NH is what is known as an "EV Charging Desert" for a good reason. When you figure 60% of 516 miles is only about 300 miles (20%-80%) in optimal conditions, this is what I wanted to prevent the very real "range anxiety" I had with my first EV. A couple months ago I did a 450-mile roundtrip to Maine (4 hours each way). I charged to 95% the night before in my garage (L2), and made it to my destination without breaking a sweat and drove two and a half hours back before stopping at an EA station at mile 385 with about 15% battery. For me, that was 6.5 hours of very comfortable driving without worrying about running out of juice (not to mention the NAV system kicked me off the highway and saved me from a closed-down I-95 due to an accident.) I also use the car to haul a lot of stuff hither and yon, and it's amazing what I can fit in it. The software will evolve in time. The hardware is there.
 
Snafu
I like your thinking
I use my car the same way on those kind of trips
 
lsbuffs said:
@magesh As a former owner of many BMWs, that's a really solid comparison in my opinion. My BMW service in Phoenix (Chapman) has always been great; usually able to get in the same day I call. So personally I'd give an edge to BMW in Service Network.

I feel the same way as you on software, I really expected more on that front. It's been 89 days (per lucidupdates.com tracker) since any new features. I'd really like to see some of the top items on the wish list get taken care of. A roadmap of upcoming features sure would be nice, but that's clearly not Lucid's style.
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That was my experience at BMW North Scottsdale as well. Whenever I needed service, I would call and would be told: "Come on in" and I would drop off my car and get a loaner.

Like many, the newer BMW front ends turn me off but the cars remain great drivers and BMW has proven to be the traditional company that has best managed the transition, so far, to EVs:

www.nytimes.com

BMW Is a Surprise Winner in Electric Vehicles

Once considered a laggard, the German luxury carmaker is one of only a few established automakers that has been able to compete effectively against Tesla.
www.nytimes.com www.nytimes.com
 
Steveinarizona said:
That was my experience at BMW North Scottsdale as well. Whenever I needed service, I would call and would be told: "Come on in" and I would drop off my car and get a loaner.

Like many, the newer BMW front ends turn me off but the cars remain great drivers and BMW has proven to be the traditional company that has best managed the transition, so far, to EVs:

www.nytimes.com

BMW Is a Surprise Winner in Electric Vehicles

Once considered a laggard, the German luxury carmaker is one of only a few established automakers that has been able to compete effectively against Tesla.
www.nytimes.com www.nytimes.com
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I think the traditional car brand that has transitioned the best to EVs is Hyundai. No question. BMW EVs are over weight, lack space, and have poor range. BMW lacks a cohesive vision for its EVs. Repurposing an existing platform as an EV is a very weak, suboptimal strategy. BMW quality has been pretty shaky the past several years in my personal experience. The Lucid Air is one of the best handling cars of all time. I have not needed service in a year with my Lucid except for getting new tires. I enjoy excellent efficiency on road trips of 4 mi/kWh if temps are over 40-45 in my Touring. That’s over 360 miles of real world range at 75 mph. I recharge at 220-240 kW. To me it is not even close. Lucid wins hands down. I’ve had I think 13-14 BMWs and after the Lucid Air I will not go back.
 
Daniel2022AT said:
I think the traditional car brand that has transitioned the best to EVs is Hyundai. No question. BMW EVs are over weight, lack space, and have poor range. BMW lacks a cohesive vision for its EVs. Repurposing an existing platform as an EV is a very weak, suboptimal strategy. BMW quality has been pretty shaky the past several years in my personal experience. The Lucid Air is one of the best handling cars of all time. I have not needed service in a year with my Lucid except for getting new tires. I enjoy excellent efficiency on road trips of 4 mi/kWh if temps are over 40-45 in my Touring. That’s over 360 miles of real world range at 75 mph. I recharge at 220-240 kW. To me it is not even close. Lucid wins hands down. I’ve had I think 13-14 BMWs and after the Lucid Air I will not go back.
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Totally disagree. I own both an i4 and a Lucid Pure AWD. I have no axe to grind and honestly love both cars.

There is nothing wrong with repurposing a proven ICE platform for an EV if you’re OK with somewhat cramped rear seating. Not everyone needs a cavernous rear seat. Some even prefer driving a smaller car for its inherent benefits. My RWD i4 has a range of over 300 miles, significantly outperforming EPA estimates as most German cars do. Efficiency of over 4mi/kWh is not difficult at all in nice weather. The car handles beautifully, as most reviews will attest to. In fact the handling is better than my Lucid, partly because of its excellent chassis dynamics (riding on that proven, legacy ICE platform) and partly because it’s smaller and more nimble than the Lucid.

Quality? I can only hope my Lucid measures up to the tank-like quality of my i4. Nearly 2 years of ownership and over 17,000 miles with not one single issue. Hardware & software are terrific. Not a single squeak, creak or groan nor any issues with software. You couldn’t ask for a better ownership experience.

If legacy ICE platforms bother you in an EV, the below is upcoming for BMW in 2025. So there does seem to be a ‘cohesive vision’ at BMW. I think for a legacy automaker, their approach has made all the sense in the world. Start off with proven ICE designs that have stood the test of time, learn from that, and move on to dedicated EV platforms.

By 2025 my wife and I may be looking to replace her i4 and these new concept BMW EVs (which have already garnered some excellent reviews for design language), along with the future midsize Lucid, are top contenders at this point. Fun times!

 
Lucken said:
Totally disagree. I own both an i4 and a Lucid Pure AWD. I have no axe to grind and honestly love both cars.

There is nothing wrong with repurposing a proven ICE platform for an EV if you’re OK with somewhat cramped rear seating. Not everyone needs a cavernous rear seat. Some even prefer driving a smaller car for its inherent benefits. My RWD i4 has a range of over 300 miles, significantly outperforming EPA estimates as most German cars do. Efficiency of over 4mi/kWh is not difficult at all in nice weather. The car handles beautifully, as most reviews will attest to. In fact the handling is better than my Lucid, partly because of its excellent chassis dynamics (riding on that proven, legacy ICE platform) and partly because it’s smaller and more nimble than the Lucid.

Quality? I can only hope my Lucid measures up to the tank-like quality of my i4. Nearly 2 years of ownership and over 17,000 miles with not one single issue. Hardware & software are terrific. Not a single squeak, creak or groan nor any issues with software. You couldn’t ask for a better ownership experience.

If legacy ICE platforms bother you in an EV, the below is upcoming for BMW in 2025. So there does seem to be a ‘cohesive vision’ at BMW. I think for a legacy automaker, their approach has made all the sense in the world. Start off with proven ICE designs that have stood the test of time, learn from that, and move on to dedicated EV platforms.

By 2025 my wife and I may be looking to replace her i4 and these new concept BMW EVs (which have already garnered some excellent reviews for design language), along with the future midsize Lucid, are top contenders at this point. Fun times!

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I also disagree with Daniel.

As a dual owner of a Lucid AGT and a BMW i-4 , my experience is exactly the same as Lucken. My wife's BMW's fit and finish is perfection and every panel lines up perfectly. After 2 years we have never had to bring it in for service for any reason. Everything works, and quality seems to be superlative so far. It is fast, handles great and as a 2nd car my wife prefers a smaller vehicle which is more nimble for getting in and out of tight parking spaces.

MY Lucid is faster, has more interior room and trunk space, but both cars fit our needs.
 
I test drove the I5 prior to deciding on the Lucid. the I5 was ok however it was noisy and that piped in engine noise was not to my liking. the cabin seemed tight.
IMHO for the same cost of leasing the Air is a far superior car.
 
kort6776 said:
I test drove the I5 prior to deciding on the Lucid. the I5 was ok however it was noisy and that piped in engine noise was not to my liking. the cabin seemed tight.
IMHO for the same cost of leasing the Air is a far superior car.
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That surprises me given how quiet my i4 is, but I’ve never driven the i5. It would still be surprising that the pricier i5 would be noisier than the i4. At lower speeds my i4 is certainly quieter than my Lucid, given the absence of front motor noise. Once you’re at highway speeds, it’s a tough call as to which car is quieter, both are very quiet and mostly devoid of wind noise. As to the artificial engine noise, I’m sure that can be turned off as it can in my i4.
 
Lucken said:
That surprises me given how quiet my i4 is, but I’ve never driven the i5. It would still be surprising that the pricier i5 would be noisier than the i4. At lower speeds my i4 is certainly quieter than my Lucid, given the absence of front motor noise. Once you’re at highway speeds, it’s a tough call as to which car is quieter, both are very quiet and mostly devoid of wind noise. As to the artificial engine noise, I’m sure that can be turned off as it can in my i4.
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I find the same. My wife's i-4 is actually quieter than my Lucid and it is easy to turn off the piped in sound. Perhaps Kort 6776 did not inquire whether the piped in sound of the i-5 could be turned off, which I suspect it can.
 
I’m a huge BMW fan. Currently the Lucid is a better EV. Not close IMO. Better design, better performance, better looking.

I’m looking forward to

1711491453863.webp
 
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