Why The Lucid Gravity Electric SUV Is A Top Tesla Alternative
The Lucid Gravity electric SUV
Not long a go a friend messaged me: she wants to trade her Tesla Y for a larger EV with a third row. What did I think of the Lucid Gravity?
The things she likes about her Tesla Y are now widely available, from brands like Cadillac and Kia to Hyundai, Volvo, Rivian and Mercedes-Benz: Seating for six or seven passengers, innovative technology and a long driving range for daily driving and road trips. The Lucid Gravity, priced from $74,900 to $94,900, was at the top of the list and for good reason: it's designed and engineered by many of the same people who built Tesla into an EV powerhouse.
Lucid's former CEO, chief technology officer and board chair Peter Rawlinson brought Lucid to market after leading the development of the Tesla S, and his fingerprints are core to Lucid's engineering and approach. Also bringing EV development experience to the Gravity is chief engineer Eric Bach who, as with his time at Tesla, is focused on iterating better charging, more efficient batteries and ultimately, a longer driving range.
Other ex-carmaker executives also are putting an imprint on the Lucid Gravity: chief of design Derek Jenkins, formerly of Mazda, brings a sharp, modern look and more human-centered approach to design, something Tesla has been criticized for. Jenkins' design approach focuses on family, flexibility and space, all while keeping the SUV's size and proportions on the smaller size, adding agility on the road and making it easier to park.
The rear of the Lucid Gravity
The result of this team approach is an 828 hp powerhouse of an SUV, thanks to a novel new battery design that is smaller yet more powerful. The new powertrain is designed to recharge fast and has a NACS Tesla-style charger; it can charge at the most powerful public DC fast chargers and recoup more than 400 kilometers of range in just 8.5 minutes. In comparison, Gravity isn't far off of the BYD record for logging the same charge in just 5 minutes.
Gravity also sets new records with EV range, up to 450 miles on a charge, and features standard AWD and multiple drive modes: Smooth, Swift and Sprint, each delivering instant torque for a sporty feel on the road.
Adding to the sports car DNA is rear wheel steering, and the result is two-fold: The Gravity is better able to hug the curves on the road and to angle perfectly into a parking spot. For a three-row SUV, both are a bonus.
The Lucid Gravity's cabin and glass canopy roof
While yes, this is a large SUV, the amount of power it delivers is more commonly found in sports cars like the Mercedes-Benz AMG 63 SE Performance or sporty SUVs like the BMW XM. This much power in a family SUV is takes a little extra thoughtfulness to ensure it's properly harnessed for comfort and safety.
Lucid's engineering team did just that. The suspension is designed not only for comfort, but to prevent passengers from being tossed around on tight curves and fun roads; the rear wheel steering helps this, too. Even passengers in the way back should be comfortable, thanks also to good visibility through the panoramic sunroof, side windows and enough air vents to keep the cool (or warm) air flowing.
The under-floor cargo well in the Lucid Gravity
With seating for six or seven passengers and a sizable cargo space, the Lucid Gravity is thoughtful about where its owners will go and what they will do in it, from action sports to relaxing road trips to daily hauling of stuff and people. The experience in the driver's seat is great, but so is every seat in the car, even when it's not occupied. That's because third row seats can be folded into the floor when not in use, similar to minivan seat storage. And when they're in use, a large cargo well adds a tremendous amount of space.
Buyers have a choice of a two-row or three row configuration, and can opt for captains chairs or a center row bench. Center row seats also slide and tilt for third row access, adding another layer of accessibility; these seats can slide forward even with a child car seat installed making the third row very usable.
The interior of the Lucid Gravity
Lucid took a new approach to the driver's controls and information setup, using a new 'squircle' design for the steering wheel: it's flat on top and bottom and features a two-spoke design with touch-sensitive pads on either side for driver's controls. These touchpads control many settings including Dream Drive adaptive cruise control and entertainment functions.
Unlike the Lucid Air, the Gravity's functions are found on a linear screen that spans the dash, though like the Air, a Pilot Panel just below it is where functions can be controlled and customized. Below the Pilot Panel Lucid added a strip of buttons for quick access to climate control and a textured metal roller bar for radio volume control.
Many of the climate controls, as well as other functions, can also be found on the static tool bar at the bottom of the Pilot Panel; this tool bar remains no matter what is showing on the screen.
The Lucid Gravity Pilot Panel
This might be one of the best features—and another not seen in Telsa: The option to customize your interior, from leatherette to leather options. Design themes center around iconic California landscapes like Yosemite, Mojave or Ojai, playing on the colors and tones that evoke those famous places.
Another feature buyers can add is stadium seating for the frunk: A foldable seat with a bumper guard and side panels adds comfortable seating for two in the frunk, which is complete with power ports, lights and cup holders, making it the perfect place to sit back, relax and watch that travel lacrosse tournament that your kids talked you into. These features alone make the Lucid Gravity a great alternative to Tesla, especially for those who want to up their EV experience and bring the gang along.
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