On paper, the Lucid Air has world-beating range, hypercar acceleration, and a stunning design. However, early reviews show Lucid‘s first electric sedan doesn‘t match expectations shaped by the hype. Underneath the skin, the $77,000 "Tesla-killer" suffers fundamental flaws limiting its appeal over proven options from Mercedes, Audi, and Tesla itself.
This expert analysis will detail 7 compelling reasons why the Air fails to deliver – from quality concerns to poor design choices hampering the ownership experience. By directly comparing Lucid‘s newcomer against mature rivals, you‘ll reconsider whether this flashy upstart warrants consideration. Let‘s dive in and burst the bubble!
Overpromising on Charging Speeds
Lucid claims their compact 112 kWh battery enables adding 300 miles in just 20 minutes. Such extreme charging would require connecting to cutting-edge 500+ kW chargers. Early adopters discovered those chargers simply don‘t exist yet in the real world.
Multiple third-party tests, like CNET‘s, found the Air maxes out around 150 kW. That adds roughly 200 miles over 20 minutes – still blazingly quick but well short of Lucid‘s promises. This otherwise small detail shows Lucid isn‘t afraid to overstate capabilities despite the engineering not fully backing it up.
| Model | Real-world charge rate | Miles added per 20 minutes |
|---|---|---|
| Lucid Air | 150 kW | 200 miles |
| Mercedes EQS | 200 kW | 249 miles |
You deserve accurate charging estimates before plunking down five-figures. Lucid sets unrealistic expectations that erodes trust in ownership claims.
Essential Controls Locked Behind Touchscreens
A signature 34-inch curved display dominates the minimalist Air‘s interior. Lucid opted to control everything – from climate control to glovebox – through the glossy touch panel. While this looks slick, not having physical buttons gets old once the screens smudge or lag kicks in. Worse still, getting distracted poking through menus drastically raises your odds for accidents if attention wanders from the road.
The dated Mercedes EQS actually gets this right by balancing screens with useful dash buttons for volume and climate. Tesla‘s Model S admittedly sticks to touch-only operation but makes using them far more intuitive after years of refinement. Everything in the Air just feels unintuitive and clumsy – not what you‘d expect in a $100k+ luxury sedan.
Overall, Lucid overlooked elegantly incorporating touch capability alongside practical interior buttons. Form took priority over function. Compared to established makes prioritizing safe, eyes-free user interactions, it‘s an unacceptable oversight.
Surprisingly Compromised Interior Space
You reasonably expect a large luxury sedan to provide generous interior room, especially in the rear seats. Disappointingly, multiple reviewers pointed out difficulties fitting taller passengers in the Air‘s cramped confines. Drivers over 6‘ 2" needed the seat pushed fully rearward, kneecapping legroom behind. Even average adults perched uncomfortably in back, a place where Audi and Mercedes absolutely excel.
Clearly, Lucid heavily compromised practical space to achieve the Air‘s radical, tapered "teardrop" shape. Yet that styling constantly works against headroom and overall passenger comfort. Considering Lucid pitches this as a flagship luxury model, the tight quarters are unacceptable compromises. Paying over six-figures for a gorgeous design statement means little if you constantly bump your head getting in.
| Model | Front Headroom | Rear Headroom |
|---|---|---|
| Lucid Air | 38.3 inches | 37.5 inches |
| Audi e-tron GT | 38.8 inches | 37 inches |
| Mercedes EQS | 41.7 inches | 40.4 inches |
Flush Door Handles Fail in Freezing Weather
In the pursuit of aerodynamic efficiency, Lucid concealed the Air‘s door handles to sit flush against the bodywork. It looks appropriately sci-fi but flops basic practicality tests. In below freezing weather, multiple owners experienced non-responsive handles that fail to present for entry. Thanks to sensitive electronic release actuators freezing over, owners literally cannot get into their $100,000+ vehicles without blasting hot water!
While Tesla gets criticized over the same flush handles, years of heating control refinements ensure owners don‘t get locked out overnight. Lucid clearly overlooked this scenario, showcasing the maiden company still learning how to translate flashy concepts into enduring hardware. It‘s hard picturing such basic oversights ever leaving the Mercedes R&D center.
Half-Baked Smartphone App Frustrates Owners
Like all connected EVs, Lucid developed a proprietary app for remote monitoring and control. Regrettably, overwhelming bugs and unreliability dominate discussions around this vital software. Owners complain of controls randomly becoming unresponsive and range calculations fluctuating like a yo-yo.
Most alarming was a 2022 update that caused complete loss of app connectivity – instantly rendering users unable to access their cars. Reinstalling the troublesome app eventually restored functionality…until the next bug rears up.
When you‘re forking over Tesla money, owners deserve having absolute faith in the experience. Lucid treating customers like beta testers may fly for a budget EV start-up but not an aspiring luxury marque. Audi‘s refined Smartphone Interface simply works as expected.
Software Updates Can Literally Lock You Out
As connected computers, EVs see constant software refinements. Incumbent automakers generally respect owners may not want an update the moment it becomes available. Worryingly, Lucid takes an aggressive, all-or-nothing approach.
Case in point – Engadget‘s early review unit. On a whim, the evaluator tapped the notification to install new firmware. The massive update instantly severed all app connectivity and deactivated the keyfob. Like that, a locked-out journalist stood helpless next to his bricked Air – for over 30 minutes without warning.
Lucid eventually restored functionality but demonstrated little respect for owners‘ time or consent. Such amateur mistakes erode confidence in the company‘s engineering rigor. Until Lucid better grasps the nuances expected from luxury buyers, you should steer clear.
The Bottom Line
In the right context, the Lucid Air provides a captivating vision into an electric future. However, early production models showcase a fledgling automaker that bit off more than it can chew. Behind the staggeringly quick metrics and concept car styling lies legitimate quality concerns and half-finished ideas that disappoint. Rather than matching established makes on polished user experiences, the Air often stumbles delivering luxury essentials taken for granted in a Mercedes or Audi.
As their first vehicle, Lucid deserves some patience addressing the rougher edges. But competing in the ultra-competitive luxury space demands measured evolution, not using owners as guinea pigs. For this price, buyers deserve virtually flawless execution worthy of an S-Class. The Air too often disappoints those lofty expectations – for now. You‘ll be smarter waiting a few years as Lucid smooths things out unless needing to flaunt the latest status symbol.
In the meantime, you simply find smarter options meeting luxury expectations while truly pushing EV boundaries. The Model S might seem the obvious alternative but also carries ergonomic compromises. Instead, the sublime Mercedes EQS elegantly blends old-world luxury with an impressively refined electric drivetrain and support ecosystem. Similarly, Audi‘s e-tron GT assurance of quality in a grand touring form factor. While the Lucid Air flatters with big claims, Mercedes and Audi deliver substantive progress without the nagging worries.
