MotorTrend review 2025 Air Pure -- Positive First Test

[Steveinarizona]

https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/2025-lucid-air-pure-first-test/

 

[Buffalo Bob]

Nice article. The only thing that bothers me is the statement about how the car's EPA 5.0 miles/kWh 'ignores the charging losses that consume additional electricity when you plug in'. The way it's written reads to me as though this is Lucid's doing, and thus misleading, when that's how the EPA calculates their miles/kWh for ALL vehicles.

 

[Adnillien]

Nice article. The only thing that bothers me is the statement about how the car's EPA 5.0 miles/kWh 'ignores the charging losses that consume additional electricity when you plug in'. The way it's written reads to me as though this is Lucid's doing, and thus misleading, when that's how the EPA calculates their miles/kWh for ALL vehicles.

The EPA does include Level 2 charging losses in their calculation. This is useful if you want to know what the cost of electricity to drive a certain number of miles. However, it is not helpful when trying to figure your range on a full battery. Both numbers a useful for different things. Lucid chooses to talk about efficiency while driving which is Lucid's key competitive advantage.

 

[illopp00]

Nice article. The only thing that bothers me is the statement about how the car's EPA 5.0 miles/kWh 'ignores the charging losses that consume additional electricity when you plug in'. The way it's written reads to me as though this is Lucid's doing, and thus misleading, when that's how the EPA calculates their miles/kWh for ALL vehicles.

That and their conflicting statement about the Sapphire being slower in the Quarter Mile than the recently tested Porsche Taycan GT Weissach.

"The Lucid Air is a car of extremes. Just a little over a year ago, a Lucid Air Sapphire prototype melted its tires and our minds after putting down the quickest quarter-mile time we’d ever recorded (it was recently surpassed by an electric Porsche)."

"
In the quarter mile, the 2025 Porsche Taycan Turbo GT Weissach hangs on to post the second-quickest time we’ve ever recorded, blowing through the lights in 9.23 seconds at 150.1 mph, just a tick ahead of the non-Weissach Turbo GT (9.34 seconds at 148.7 mph) and a hair behind the more powerful Air Sapphire, our quarter-mile record holder with its blistering 9.21 seconds at 157.1 mph. "

 

[Buffalo Bob]

The EPA does include Level 2 charging losses in their calculation. This is useful if you want to know what the cost of electricity to drive a certain number of miles. However, it is not helpful when trying to figure your range on a full battery. Both numbers a useful for different things. Lucid chooses to talk about efficiency while driving which is Lucid's key competitive advantage.

So, does the EPA miles/kWh that appears on EV window stickers include or not include charging losses? Stated differently, does Lucid report in a different manner from everyone else?

 

[illopp00]

The pure on 19in wheels will definitely do 5 mi/kwhr on the EPA drive cycle without charging losses included.

From Car and Driver's explanation of testing their real-world vs EPA.
"That's why there are two terms used: efficiency, which can be expressed in MPGe, includes charging losses, while consumption, the energy use while driving, doesn't include them."

 

[Adnillien]

So, does the EPA miles/kWh that appears on EV window stickers include or not include charging losses? Stated differently, does Lucid report in a different manner from everyone else?

Yes the mileage on the EPA label includes charging losses. The EPA also specifies efficiency on kWhr/100mi.

The Pure has an 84kWhr pack so Lucid calculates the driving efficiency 420 miles of range divided by 84kWhr or 5.0 mi/kWhr

The EPA shows efficiency of 23kWhr/100mi or 4.35 mi/kWhr. The details showing the inclusion of level 2 charging losses are in the testing procedure, not on the label.

 

[Buffalo Bob]

Yes the mileage on the EPA label includes charging losses. The EPA also specifies efficiency on kWhr/100mi.

View attachment 27886
The Pure has an 84kWhr pack so Lucid calculates the driving efficiency 420 miles of range divided by 84kWhr or 5.0 mi/kWhr

The EPA shows efficiency of 23kWhr/100mi or 4.35 mi/kWhr. The details showing the inclusion of level 2 charging losses are in the testing procedure, not on the label.

Thanks! I understand now! Much appreciated.

 

[scal_air]

I agree, nice article. Lucid getting some good press lately.

BTW - I couldn't stand it and emailed the author pointing out the Sapphire is indeed, the fastest car in the quarter mile...

 

[RMK!]

I finally got around to going to my local Lucid location to test drive the Pure and the Touring models (both in my price range). I had actually brought the Pink Slip for my 2025 Tesla Model Y fully intending to do a deal if the car and price fit my needs. I loved everything about the cars except two things and they were show stoppers. First and as a disclaimer, I'm 6'5" with long legs (38" inseam") so I represent a tiny portion of the population physically but when driving in my "normal" driving position, my right leg rested against the rather sharp lower screen edge. WIthin minutes I developed an indent in the skin and repositioning myself just slightly changed the location resulting in another imprint. I'm old (74) but in reasonable shape so the issue would be cause for concern anyone with my unusual physical dimensions. Driving long distances would make this a much more serious problem than just an skin indent.

Assuming I could somehow overcome the first issue the other thing is the car would be our road trip vehicle and when we travel by car, we usually take our bikes along (currently do this with the Model Y). At my age, I have come to love good quality e-bikes which allow my wife and I to get exercise and explore the places we visit. The bikes are relatively heavy (50-60 lbs) so roof mounting isn't an option and there is no provision for a hitch mount on the Air Models. That makes the Air a no go for me.

On a more positive note, I re-looked closely at some Gravity reviews and the lower screen seems to be in a fixed position and several inches higher than the Air. I will at the first opportunity check that out in person. As I told the Lucid adviser, my original intention was to get a Gravity once they offer a slightly lower cost option (non-GT) so the Air would have been a place holder vehicle. It now appears I have to wait a year or two in order to get into a Lucid Gravity at a price and with the features I need/want. Your needs will certainly vary from my very specific requirements but I would be interested if anyone else has encountered the lower screen placement issue?

 

[scal_air]

I finally got around to going to my local Lucid location to test drive the Pure and the Touring models (both in my price range). I had actually brought the Pink Slip for my 2025 Tesla Model Y fully intending to do a deal if the car and price fit my needs. I loved everything about the cars except two things and they were show stoppers. First and as a disclaimer, I'm 6'5" with long legs (38" inseam") so I represent a tiny portion of the population physically but when driving in my "normal" driving position, my right leg rested against the rather sharp lower screen edge. WIthin minutes I developed an indent in the skin and repositioning myself just slightly changed the location resulting in another imprint. I'm old (74) but in reasonable shape so the issue would be cause for concern anyone with my unusual physical dimensions. Driving long distances would make this a much more serious problem than just an skin indent.

Assuming I could somehow overcome the first issue the other thing is the car would be our road trip vehicle and when we travel by car, we usually take our bikes along (currently do this with the Model Y). At my age, I have come to love good quality e-bikes which allow my wife and I to get exercise and explore the places we visit. The bikes are relatively heavy (50-60 lbs) so roof mounting isn't an option and there is no provision for a hitch mount on the Air Models. That makes the Air a no go for me.

On a more positive note, I re-looked closely at some Gravity reviews and the lower screen seems to be in a fixed position and several inches higher than the Air. I will at the first opportunity check that out in person. As I told the Lucid adviser, my original intention was to get a Gravity once they offer a slightly lower cost option (non-GT) so the Air would have been a place holder vehicle. It now appears I have to wait a year or two in order to get into a Lucid Gravity at a price and with the features I need/want. Your needs will certainly vary from my very specific requirements but I would be interested if anyone else has encountered the lower screen placement issue?

Those do indeed seem to be issues that I can't think of a solution. I don't remember anyone bringing up the screen edge issue in the forum but most people disassemble the front wheel and transport bikes in the trunk. With ebikes, this may not be an easy solution.
Why not sign up for a test drive on the Gravity?
It may not meet your expectations and you could cross it off your list and move on. Or you could love it and decide the wait is worth it or even move up to a GT

 

[RMK!]

Thanks for the suggestion @scal_air. I might do that Gravity test drive suggestion if my No Ca location gets one. They did not have the Gravity yesterday and I didn't think to ask if they were getting one.

 

[scal_air]

Yeah if you're inclined, call the studio to ask. There are events coming up where you can see the Gravity and allegedly test drive. I think there's one coming up in Alameda.

Events | Lucid Motors

Keep an eye out for some of the Lucid Motors upcoming events to see if there’s one happening near you! Lucid Motors events are happening all over the world.

lucidmotors.com

And if you need a referral, well feel free to use my code

 

[illopp00]

Those do indeed seem to be issues that I can't think of a solution. I don't remember anyone bringing up the screen edge issue in the forum but most people disassemble the front wheel and transport bikes in the trunk. With ebikes, this may not be an easy solution.
Why not sign up for a test drive on the Gravity?
It may not meet your expectations and you could cross it off your list and move on. Or you could love it and decide the wait is worth it or even move up to a GT

The Lower screen can be retracted once you setup everything as you like and just use Carplay?

 

[borski]

The Lower screen can be retracted once you setup everything as you like and just use Carplay?

Yeah, but that’s a pretty huge thing to lose in a car you drive every day. I’d make the same choice if I had his dimensions and concerns.