Unhappy with the car?

[borski]

I am not ready to say that I am overall unhappy with the car. I am not. But the interface is absolutely horrific. The simple fact that it does not have Apple Car Play, and instead forces us to buy a subscription and use a perennially dysfunctional Alexa based system is grounds for revolt. I mean, I am sure Amazon paid lucid for that privilege, and that the payment somehow made its way into a cost reduction to us, but I would HAPPILY pay an extra 10k to get rid of that junk and have the normal interface that everone else has. Alexa does not read texts, it cannot interface with most of the functions on your phone, it cannot reliably place calls, and about 40 percent of the time it just goes dead, with a 'something went wrong' message. It is absolute junk compared to APC -- even the APC retrofits that i have installed in some of my older cars.

And now the speaker system has done something weird, so that while music sounds normal, voices - like on telephone calls radio broadcasts - sound badly muffled. My nearest service center is 200 miles away, and they are, if I'm honest' the least responsive car service center of any I have ever dealt with. So I don't even bother asking for their help.

I have resisted ranting about it because it surely won't change a thing, but holy COW I cannot imagine who made the decision to sully such an incredible motor vehicle with this inferior entertainment and information system.

Nobody is forcing you to buy any subscription.

 

[HC_79]

This is interesting......

"Tesla is committing to building a network of at least 7,500 chargers that, the White House promises, will be open for use by all EV drivers by the end of 2024."

I wonder if the current chargers are off limits and the new V4 chargers that will be 1000v will be the dual Tesla \ CCS and the ones that will be able to be used. TIme will tell

 

[Bobby]

This is interesting......

"Tesla is committing to building a network of at least 7,500 chargers that, the White House promises, will be open for use by all EV drivers by the end of 2024."

I wonder if the current chargers are off limits and the new V4 chargers that will be 1000v will be the dual Tesla \ CCS and the ones that will be able to be used. TIme will tell

I have said many times: we are the beta testers of EV technology. I’m confident that over the next few years, this will all work out and become as simple as using a gas station for an ICE vehicle.

 

[BACamster]

Nobody is forcing you to buy any subscription.

I agreed with Borski. I'm using free TuneIn and free iHeart Radio. They works just fine.

 

[HC_79]

Mercedes is also building their own network which I understand and they have a smaller range than Lucid.

It's also in partnership with ChargePoint. They're not doing it themselves.

Mercedes-Benz and ChargePoint are going to install thousands of EV fast chargers in the US

Work begins on the project this year.

www.theverge.com

 

[blueice89]

This is interesting......

"Tesla is committing to building a network of at least 7,500 chargers that, the White House promises, will be open for use by all EV drivers by the end of 2024."

I wonder if the current chargers are off limits and the new V4 chargers that will be 1000v will be the dual Tesla \ CCS and the ones that will be able to be used. TIme will tell

That is interesting …

 

[Bnwbaron]

My grand touring is the first car i've bought in 18 years as ive been very happy with my 2005 Acura TL. I've had my car for a few months ~2100 miles and while the driving part is nice, I find this car to be beyond frustrating due to the beyond horrible interface with the infotainment system, problems with cameras, useless accident avoidance system, poorly thought out design of some very basic things (headlights, wipers, door entry, key fob, profiles), grossly overstated charging speed and access to superchargers, working Electrify America stations, glitchy updates and other smaller annoyances. I do not think this car is really ready to be on the market. I feel deceived by their marketing department and have no confidence in their software developers. I can not get anyone higher up in the customer service department to speak with, though evrryone in the service department has been wonderful. I can not in good conscience recommend this car and would like to return the car for a refund. Does anyone else feel similar?

That sucks that you feel this way. I love mine...a lot. I do agree that there are chinks in the armor. No Carplay (yet), small cup holders, Alexa stinks (my home ones are great), EA is just plain bad. I think any potential buyer needs to have realistic expectations about what they are buying. Early adoption is not for everyone. More mature car companies have more time in the trenches and should be farther along in continuous improvement efforts. I applaud your post for resurfacing these issues for people on the fence. Don't buy this car if you can't accept a degree of the plane being built in flight. So far and on balance, I am okay with the issues as I expect many to resolve.

 

[sansonoma]

I totally love my Lucid. I have owned it since October 2022 and have 7000 miles on it, mostly cross-country. Yet, I am sorry to hear of such variations in experience. It does sound like Eric has a uniquely troublesome car. I do not share his experience but I do not doubt him. For me, the paint, fit and finish, and interior appointments are nearly perfect. The driving dynamics are stellar (albeit with some understeer on curvy roads, but it is a heavy car.). I have only had one software glitch: bad map loading and cameras not displaying. A hard reset fixed that. And the mobile key software needs improvement. Nothing else. Infotainment is great, and HA has been flawless - except on curvy mountain roads over 75 mph - but it's a heavy car). The only real concern I have is common to many others - EA. No excuse for that. I was promised that network, just like most of us. But the car - it's the best I have ever owned. The best.

 

[sansonoma]

Well, there’s one exception: BA branch near Universal Studio, but it’s in a nice neighborhood.

I used it. I agree.

 

[Electrified]

Nobody is forcing you to buy any subscription.

I like my car a lot, and EA has been super for me! But he is correct on just about eveything else; and no matter how you cut it Alexa just flat out blows.

I bought my car eyes wide open being on this forum for a few months before dropping a g note on the deposit and then several months thereafter before I took delivery, sure the car has some quirks and a whole lot of head turning uniqueness; but at the end of the day I'm an early adopter of an advanced EV that gets better all the time.......well sometimes its two steps forward and one backwards, but still forward nonetheless.

 

[MorganB]

The tech already exists all across Europe so this should be an easy check drive a Lucid in Europe to Tesla ccs

The Tesla chargers in Europe are CSS as Teslas come with CSS connectors in Europe instead of NACS. Not sure if the underlying hardware in the charger is different.

 

[MorganB]

This is interesting......

"Tesla is committing to building a network of at least 7,500 chargers that, the White House promises, will be open for use by all EV drivers by the end of 2024."

I wonder if the current chargers are off limits and the new V4 chargers that will be 1000v will be the dual Tesla \ CCS and the ones that will be able to be used. TIme will tell

The Tesla magic dock was leaked in the Tesla app maybe a month ago. The dock releases a CCS plug adaptor that is attached and non removable from the cable when the station is activated via the Tesla app for a non-Tesla vehicle. Thats probably what they are going to do to adapt the existing chargers but time will tell.

 

[hmp10]

. . . while music sounds normal, voices - like on telephone calls radio broadcasts - sound badly muffled.

This has been a persistent problem in our car and reported by other posters since two OTA updates ago. We also find that other audio features, such as turn signal sounds, now periodically disappear.

Lucid needs to fix the bugs that have been introduced with recent updates before they move on to adding or upgrading features. They also need to figure out why recent updates keep introducing new bugs.

 

[hmp10]

I have said many times: we are the beta testers of EV technology. I’m confident that over the next few years, this will all work out and become as simple as using a gas station for an ICE vehicle.

I agree that we're all beta testers of this technology. However, I'm less confident that the CCS charging situation will work out any time soon. Kyle Conner recently repeated an EV road trip he undertook four years earlier in order to assess the evolution of the EA charging network along the route. He found that the situation had not improved at all -- chargers down, failures to connect, etc. We're now five years in with Electrify America, and its problems only seem to be growing.

If you take any five-year slice of the Tesla Supercharger expansion, you will find occasional glitches but will always find a net improvement curve. There is something fundamentally off track at Electrify America, either with their technology or their management -- and maybe both.

J.D. Power published survey results last fall that indicated EV owners failed to charge in 1 out of 5 stops at charging locations -- and this figure included Tesla owners, whose success rate in attempting to charge is much higher. Given that around two-thirds of EVs on U.S. roads are Teslas, this indicates that CCS owners are having much higher than 20% failure rates at charging stops.

 

[dolphinsafe]

I am not so certain of that. There are other posts of that nature. I am beginning to lean that way. I travel a large area of states on a regular basis. I felt like I did my homework. Visited with Lucid sales people over and over in person while I waited the 16 months to take delivery. My biggest concern was charging the car on multi state road trips, which I must make often. The Lucid sales people always were friendly, nice and helpful. They would constantly show me how the Nav will find all of the charging stations, show us how long to charge, and emphasize how quickly and easy (just plug it in at EA) it will charge. They emphasized EA had the largest non tesla network and showed me that EA would be my best bet in some more remote parts of my travels.

I have had a the Nav not work, sound system not work, lots of paint issues (all discovered by Lucid SC), panels freeze, cameras are maybe 50/50, external sensors not working, accident avoidance system doesn’t work (probably related to the sensors not working?), no key warnings, and the big issue for me. The car won’t charge at any EA station. I have been to EA in Pueblo and Trinidad, CO, Gallup, Albuquerque and Santa Fe, NM, Payson, Tempe, Phoenix, and Glendale, AZ. Attempted at multiple charging stations at each location, so maybe 25-27 different chargers or more, some locations I have been to twice to try the chargers again. All of the attempts have been with Lucid and EA on 3 way calls. If EA does not give me a courtesy charge, the car will not charge. It has been that way since day one. The car has been in and out of the service center. It is going back this week for numerous issues. Extremely nice and people who really do want to get the problems fixed. I really can’t state enough how friendly the SC people are. Many, many phone calls and emails with Lucid support. As of this past Friday, Lucid charging support do NOT think it is a PnC problem. They simply don’t have an answer as to why my car won’t charge.

So yes, I can see why Eric may not feel the car meets his needs. I can tell you I love driving the car. I can tell you it most certainly is a beautiful automobile. It seems to be very nicely built. It is not meeting the needs that I have for an automobile. For the most part, it sits in the garage. I can’t trust it will get me where I need to go, which is well outside of its range, EPA or real. If Lucid can get the car to charge reliably, I will feel much more positive about the car. I can live with waiting for the other issues to be fixed. It could be worse. The car has not “bricked”.

The unfortunate fact is that "your experience may vary" because, ultimately, we're at the mercy of some fairly sketchy charging infrastructure. And that's the real issue here. The car will charge - I plug it in all the time and it charges every time flawlessly. But that's at home. Perhaps the charging stations need an "alternative" plug that you can use and if you bring your mobile charger you can just plug in for an emergency.

Let's all face it - EA sucks! They're very inconsistent, don't work lots of the time and certainly don't charge at the capacity of the car or the station. I've plugged in at the same 350kw charger 4 times - it didn't work at all the first time (very bad timing) - but worked all subsequent times. However, I have had to plug, unplug, plug, unplug (rinse, repeat) several times in order to get the charger to synch up correctly. This type of issue is very frustrating. It's a plug - it should work. That's an EA issue - not the car. Or perhaps a communications issue with EA - who knows. But I never have gotten anywhere near the capacity of the charger - perhaps 120kw - but never anything north of that. And it drops to below 100kw fairly quickly.

I am, however, confident that the charging infrastructure will improve. When Tesla's network becomes available I think that may give people more of a warm fuzzy - except at super busy stations.

The charging situation is the weak link. Fix it and you solve world hunger!

 

[Bnwbaron]

The unfortunate fact is that "your experience may vary" because, ultimately, we're at the mercy of some fairly sketchy charging infrastructure. And that's the real issue here. The car will charge - I plug it in all the time and it charges every time flawlessly. But that's at home. Perhaps the charging stations need an "alternative" plug that you can use and if you bring your mobile charger you can just plug in for an emergency.

Let's all face it - EA sucks! They're very inconsistent, don't work lots of the time and certainly don't charge at the capacity of the car or the station. I've plugged in at the same 350kw charger 4 times - it didn't work at all the first time (very bad timing) - but worked all subsequent times. However, I have had to plug, unplug, plug, unplug (rinse, repeat) several times in order to get the charger to synch up correctly. This type of issue is very frustrating. It's a plug - it should work. That's an EA issue - not the car. Or perhaps a communications issue with EA - who knows. But I never have gotten anywhere near the capacity of the charger - perhaps 120kw - but never anything north of that. And it drops to below 100kw fairly quickly.

I am, however, confident that the charging infrastructure will improve. When Tesla's network becomes available I think that may give people more of a warm fuzzy - except at super busy stations.

The charging situation is the weak link. Fix it and you solve world hunger!

The plug, unplug, plug scenario is one that is familiar to me, too. I spoke to an Electrify America representative, who told me it was squarely on their shoulders and happening with several manufacturers.

 

[victoryroad]

My grand touring is the first car i've bought in 18 years as ive been very happy with my 2005 Acura TL. I've had my car for a few months ~2100 miles and while the driving part is nice, I find this car to be beyond frustrating due to the beyond horrible interface with the infotainment system, problems with cameras, useless accident avoidance system, poorly thought out design of some very basic things (headlights, wipers, door entry, key fob, profiles), grossly overstated charging speed and access to superchargers, working Electrify America stations, glitchy updates and other smaller annoyances. I do not think this car is really ready to be on the market. I feel deceived by their marketing department and have no confidence in their software developers. I can not get anyone higher up in the customer service department to speak with, though evrryone in the service department has been wonderful. I can not in good conscience recommend this car and would like to return the car for a refund. Does anyone else feel similar?

Sorry about your experience and expectations.

After nearly 6000 miles and some annoying SW and BT glitches, I love my AGT. I charge at home and the car is easy to live with. I have had no problems charging at EA stations. It exceeds all of my expectations dynamically and the SW problems have progressively been resolved with both OTA updates and others that may not be publicized, although I cannot be sure of the latter. The car just keeps getting better for me.

I, like most here, have a lot of experience with all levels of cars and am disappointed with the lack of available loaners if the car has to go to service. However, the dynamic capabilities of the AGT rival those of my former 2015 Porsche Turbo S that I had on the track two weeks after taking delivery from the factory at my dealer. No, the AGT is not a track vehicle at 5200 lbs. or as fast from 0-60, but I do not stop light race so do not care about 0-60 times, but on public roads, especially those twisty farm and hilly country roads in NH and VT, the AGT is every bit as satisfying a car as my Turbo S. It is also demonstrably better than my two former Porsche Panamera GTS's dynamically and otherwise.

Not sure what to suggest to you but if ownership is intolerable perhaps you should sell it. Not sure what a replacement might be, as the Air is a unique vehicle. There really is no substitute for it IMO.

 

[dolphinsafe]

I totally love my Lucid. I have owned it since October 2022 and have 7000 miles on it, mostly cross-country. Yet, I am sorry to hear of such variations in experience. It does sound like Eric has a uniquely troublesome car. I do not share his experience but I do not doubt him. For me, the paint, fit and finish, and interior appointments are nearly perfect. The driving dynamics are stellar (albeit with some understeer on curvy roads, but it is a heavy car.). I have only had one software glitch: bad map loading and cameras not displaying. A hard reset fixed that. And the mobile key software needs improvement. Nothing else. Infotainment is great, and HA has been flawless - except on curvy mountain roads over 75 mph - but it's a heavy car). The only real concern I have is common to many others - EA. No excuse for that. I was promised that network, just like most of us. But the car - it's the best I have ever owned. The best.

I agree here for the most part. Unfortunately, it appears the mapping for HA is better in CA than in parts of TX. My HA experience has been less than stellar. However, that doesn't really bother me since it's technically more of an alpha or perhaps beta than a full fledged ADAS. It's certainly better than Tesla when it comes to phantom breaking. But it's poor at lane centering. I'll post a video so folks can understand what I'm talking about. I have faith that future updates will address those issues. I also wish it wasn't so "vision" dependent on speed limit changes - there are a few different signs it "always" misses when the speed limit changes. It'd also be nice if it would pre-predict the speed limit change she you can slow down or speed up coming into those changes instead of being more reactionary. This would help a lot more on the speed reduction - I can see myself being pulled over when slowing from 60 to 45 when I use the "automated" speed reduction. Also, if you aren't using HA - the lane centering grabs the wheel a bit too hard for my liking when it thinks you're too close to the line. I'd really like them to relax that a bit because it almost forces you to be erratic when trying to take over.

On a surprising bright note - the performance difference between the AT and the AGT is so minimal it's almost imperceptible. And you benefit from more room in the rear and a better seating position for passengers. I had a theory that the 0-60 times were much faster than stated. Lucid says 3.4 for the AT, all the tests I've seen put it somewhere between 3.0 and 3.1.

I wish the range were better but having taken delivery in December I haven't seen a day yet when the temperatures were high enough to give me more of a "normal" range situation where temp or weather doesn't have an adverse impact.
Overall - this is a "drivers" car. It's fast and confident - perhaps a bit too fast.

 

[hmp10]

Not sure what a replacement might be, as the Air is a unique vehicle. There really is no substitute for it IMO.

So true. The only rivals for it in terms of silky delivery of prodigious power are a Tesla Model S or the Porsche/Audi EV sports sedans.

But the Lucid trounces the Model S in terms of handling, roominess, comfort, luxury features, build quality, and range.

And it trounces the Porsche/Audi products in terms of roominess and range, while giving them a run for the money in handling. (I have not driven them myself, so have to rely on reviewers regarding the handling. We do own a Model S Plaid, though.)

 

[hmp10]

On a surprising bright note - the performance difference between the AT and the AGT is so minimal it's almost imperceptible.

I haven't outgrown my teenage obsession with acceleration stats for cars, but what you say is dead on. There are really very few instances in driving on public roads where power differences are going to make much difference -- at least in the ranges of power in which any of the Lucid dual-motor cars play.

I've owned a lot of high-powered cars, and the meaningful differences in power delivery are felt more in the "liveliness" of the cars' responses in making quick speed adjustments. However, the instant torque delivery of electric motors levels the field a bit so that you get that same sense of liveliness even in less powerful EVs.

And you benefit from more room in the rear and a better seating position for passengers.

In the marketing run-up to the car's release, Lucid talked constantly of its "LEAP" power platform and invariably showed visuals of that platform with the deep rear seat wells -- even using that image when the text talked of the 500-mile range. The most crushing disappointment during our long wait for the car was when I finally got confirmation that the Dream Edition would not have those deep footwells. I've sat in the car with the smaller battery pack, and the difference in rear seating comfort really is pronounced. The fore-aft legroom in the Dream and GT really is amazing, but that relaxing of the knee angle with the deeper footwells puts the rear quarters squarely in MB S Class and BMW 7 Series territory.

A recurring daydream is that Lucid is eventually able to open up that rear floor well for all its models, either through power density improvement in batteries or through placement of those four modules elsewhere. I've even wondered if two could be mounted vertically behind the rear seats with the other two put in a platform on which reconfigured front seats sit (sort of like the platform on which the rear seats sit). The packs are only about 3" deep, so could the bottom of the front seats be redesigned to reduce their depth enough while retaining their comfort and adjustment functions? I know this is far-fetched but, hey . . . it's a daydream.