In October 2023, the electric vehicle company based in Newark, California, unveiled their entry-level Air Pure RWD. This new electric vehicle is described as a “sporty and stylish EV” that offers an exceptional combination of range, performance tailored to the driver, and a unique design. With a starting price of $77,400, it was the most affordable model in their lineup at the time. The Air Pure RWD boasted an impressive range of 410 miles (660 km) and could be recharged for 150 miles in just 12 minutes at DC charging stations.
However, the company recently entered into a pricing competition with Tesla, aiming to make it more accessible for people to purchase and own the Lucid Air, which has been recognized as America’s most awarded new luxury car. As a result, the brand’s online configurator now displays a revised base price of $69,900 for the Air Pure. This makes it even more affordable than the base model of the Tesla Model S, which starts at $74,990 (excluding any potential incentive savings). Additionally, Lucid is offering a $1,000 Charging Allowance for accessories and two years of complimentary Lucid Care scheduled maintenance with every purchase or lease. The lease plans start at $699 per month for a 36-month term.
It’s important to note that the Air Pure is available in a rear-wheel drive configuration with a range of up to 410 miles at the aforementioned price. In comparison, the base Tesla Model S is equipped with the more powerful Dual-Motor AWD, capable of accelerating from 0 to 60 mph (96 kph) in just 3.1 seconds and reaching a top speed of 130 mph (209 kph). To level the playing field, it’s worth mentioning that Lucid has also adjusted the prices for the Air Touring, which features two motors and AWD with 620 hp. It now starts at $77,900, making it slightly more expensive than the Model S.
For those seeking higher performance, the Air Grand Touring, with its 819-hp, now has a starting price of $109,900. However, this is significantly more expensive than the Tesla Model S Plaid, which offers 1,020-hp and starts at a relatively lower price of $89,990. It’s worth noting that the Model S Plaid has a reduced EPA range of 359 miles (578 km), while Lucid claims an estimated range of up to 516 miles (830 km). As always, there are trade-offs, and the fully equipped Air Sapphire maintains its price of $249,000. So, while you can now purchase a Lucid Air at a lower price than the base Tesla Model S, it is only available in a rear-wheel drive configuration and offers a slightly better range.
The performance comparison becomes even more complex. The Air Touring can be compared to the Model S AWD, but it comes at a higher cost. On the other hand, the Air Grand Touring potentially offers the longest range, but it starts at a substantial price of $110,000, which may be difficult to justify in the current era of fierce competition in electric vehicle pricing. Lastly, the Sapphire model surpasses the power of the Plaid, but with the same amount of money, one could purchase nearly three 1,020-hp Model S EVs.
According to the Source autoevolution.com