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Tom's Guide
20-07-2025
- Automotive
- Tom's Guide
I drove the Mercedes-Benz EQS 450 EV for a week — and it's the epitome of luxury driving
I've driven my fair share of luxury EVs. I thought EVs such as the Genesis GV60, Lexus RZ 450e, and Cadillac Lyriq were luxury vehicles, but I was wrong. My perception of what luxury really is has been distorted all this time. That's until now. After driving the 2025 Mercedes-Benz EQS 450 Sedan for a week, it proves to me what it takes to truly be defined as luxury driving. I wasn't prepared for the premium features it offers, which makes driving this all-electric sedan even more impressive — but it does cost a whopping $107,400 to start. That balloons to $139,910 with all the optional equipment and packages thrown in, so it's certainly not cheap. Honestly, all the features make it feel more futuristic than some of the best electric cars I've tested. 2025 Mercedes-Benz EQS 450 Sedan Battery 118 kWh Motor Dual-motor AWD 0 to 60 mph 5.9 seconds Range 390 miles Horsepower 355 hp Wheels 21-inches MSRP $107,400 Price Tested $139,910 Most of the luxury EVs I've tested aren't known for their efficient driving. When you're spending a fortune, charging costs are probably the least of your worries. Yet, the Mercedes-Benz EQS 450 Sedan doesn't overlook this because it's actually quite efficient. I drove a total of 380 miles in my week's worth of testing it out, reaching an average efficiency of 3.26 mi/kWh. Even though it doesn't reach the benchmark of 4 mi/kWh that I achieved with the Lucid Air Touring, it's still pretty exceptional. It's not as fun or responsive to drive like the BMW i4 M50 Gran Coupe or Volvo EX30, but for a full-sized sedan, it handles smoothly. Based on my results, a full charge maintaining this efficiency would yield approximately 384 miles of range. That's a smidge short of the 390 miles it's rated for, but it's good enough in my book — plus, it beats my all-gas powered car. However, it's very plausible to reach that estimate because in one of my short-distance test drives, it averaged a 3.47 mi/kWh efficiency driving on mostly local and county roads. On Level 1 charging at home, you'll get a decent amount of charge through a standard 120V outlet. Its 3.78 mi/hr charging rate returned 37 miles of range in about 9 hours of charging overnight. That's plenty enough for what I need for my commute, but those who drive far each day will want to invest in a Level 2 charger. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. 2025 Mercedes-Benz EQS 450 Sedan 2025 Lucid Air Touring 2025 BMW i4 M50 Gran Coupe EV Price tested $139,910 $101,850 $76,575 Total miles driven 384 miles 362.1 miles 461.5 miles Average Efficiency 3.26 mi/kWh 4 mi/kWh 2.9 mi/kWh Best long distance driving efficiency 3.44 mi/kWh 4.29 mi/kWh N/A Best short distance driving efficiency 3.47 mi/kWh 4.42 mi/kWh N/A Level 1 charging rate 3.78 mi/hr 4.27 mi/hr 2.19 mi/hr When it comes to turn-by-turn directions, most luxury EVs come with a head-up display that shows me where to turn and the distance I need to travel. The Mercedes-Benz EQS takes it one step further by incorporating an augmented reality experience that dynamically guides me where to go. What makes it different is how the head-up display shows arrows that progressively get larger as I approach my turns or exits. I find it much more helpful because the arrows overlay on top of the road to guide me exactly where to go, so I'm never second guessing the turn. It's as if the windshield is a see-through display, with those arrows moving in the direction you're supposed to go. Nearly all luxury EVs have neat startup light sequences, like the stacking lights effect of the Cadillac Optiq. While you definitely get that with the 2025 Mercedes-Benz EQS 450V Sedan, there's one particular sequence that puts it in a league of its own. I'm referring to the animation that projects from the front of the vehicle onto whatever's in front of it. In the open parking lot where I tried it out, it's an ostentatious display that does the obvious — telling the world your vehicle is different from 99% of the other stuff out there. Yes it's over the top, but I love it. When it comes to the best TVs or best phones, the kind of displays that scream ultra premium are OLED panels. The Mercedes-Benz EQS Sedan is filled to the brim with them, to the point that nearly the entire dashboard is covered by them. Mercedes refers to it as the MBUX Hyperscreen, which consists of a 17.7-inch OLED main dashboard display flanked by a 12.3-inch LED driver's display and a 12.3-inch OLED passenger display. It's a jaw-dropping sight unlike anything else I've seen, offering high contrast, rich colors, and a wide viewing angle. Quite frankly, these are the best displays I've seen in any vehicle to date. Luxury EVs typically focus a lot on the ambient light, and while some are a bit reserved, others like the 2025 Mercedes-Benz EQS Sedan take one step further. In fact, the entire interior space is bathed in bright, ambient lights that complement its luxurious design It almost looks like a light cycle from 'TRON' because of the amount of LED light strips Mercedes-Benz employs here. Not only are they around the dashboard and doors, but they're also embedded in the seats as well. On top of that, you can also customize the colors and animation patterns to make it feel like you're driving something from the future. Even though it's classified as a sedan, it feels like a hatchback due to how the entire back side of the vehicle opens up to access its trunk — which in itself offers generous storage for large items like my JackRabbit OG2 Pro micro ebike. At the same time, it doesn't compromise the space inside for your rear passengers. I wasn't expecting a luxury EV like this to get decent efficiency, but it does. That's a good thing because it's something that should ease the range anxiety that people have about all-electric vehicles. Like I mentioned before, its 3.26 mi/kWh efficiency I averaged during my week's worth of testing is pretty good — so it's more than suitable for long distance driving. Likewise, I'm also surprised by its fast Level 1 charging. Anyone who could afford this should get a Level 2 charger at their home to get a full charge overnight, but until they go through the process to install one, its 3.78 mi/hr charging rate should suffice in the interim. Mercedes-Benz doesn't skimp out on what camera it employs throughout the EQS Sedan and it shows because the quality out of them is outstanding. Whether it's the backup camera or the front one, they all sort of have this HDR-like look that neutralizes the exposure across different lighting situations. This is important because it also aids in its adaptive cruise control system, which helps to determine if there are nearby cars when it performs a lane change assist. I've found its ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System) to work really well on highways to keep it straight in the lane — as well as automatically accelerating and braking to maintain cruising speed. I can go on and on about all the small details that make it an ultra-premium vehicle, like the pillows in the backseat, cushioned headrests, massaging seats, and fragrance control to name a few, but it's still going to be hard to convince the majority of shoppers to spend nearly $140,000 on a vehicle. Other luxury vehicles I've tested still come well under this price, like the Acura ZDX Type-S, Genesis GV70, and even the GMC Hummer EV. They might not have the same meticulous attention to detail like the EQS, but you're still paying well less for them. This one's only a problem because of how popular Stanley's line of insulated tumblers have become in the last couple of years. The cupholders near the front seats aren't set deep enough and too tight from one another, resulting in larger sized cups, like Stanley's tumblers, to sometimes not fit properly. I have a totally different perception of luxury vehicles because the 2025 Mercedes-Benz EQS 450V Sedan redefines my expectations. It makes other luxury vehicles I've tested feel ordinary, due in part to the insane amount of details it applies to everything. At the same time, I'm pleased that it drives super smooth and offers good efficiency — but it's obnoxiously expensive. It's not to say you shouldn't consider it, but your budget will dictate if it's even possible in the first place. However, I will say that it's absolutely a status symbol that gives people an idea of your level of class.
Tom's Guide
29-06-2025
- Automotive
- Tom's Guide
I drove the Volvo EX30 for a week — and it's the EV I'd buy with my own money
Never judge a book by its cover. This timeless adage rings true because prior to my first drive with the Volvo EX30, I didn't have the same level of enthusiasm or excitement I felt with other recent EVs I've tested — like the Lucid Air Touring, Dodge Charger EV, and Mercedes-Benz G 580. I suppose I've been jaded by all of them. However, that all changed the moment I got into the Volvo EX30 and started to drive it. After testing out the Volvo EX40 earlier this year, I didn't think that particular EV was a standout. It was good, but not great. I can tell you, though, that the EX30 is the best electric vehicle I've tested so far this year with good reason. This all-electric sub compact SUV has a sleek design matched by an overhauled interior that's as minimalist as it comes with its Nordic styling. Even better, its driving performance impresses on so many levels while matching the experience I've had with other sporty cars. 2025 Volvo EX30 Twin Motor Performance Ultra Battery 69 kWh Motor Dual-motor AWD 0 to 60 mph 3.4 seconds Range 253 miles Horsepower 422 hp Wheels 19-inches MSRP $46,600 Price Tested $48,395 Don't be fooled by its much smaller size because the Volvo EX30 packs a punch. The trim I tested, the 2025 Volvo EX30 Twin Motor Performance Ultra, feature dual-electric motors that deliver a 422 hp performance — so it's mighty fast and responsive. I drove a total of 142.7 miles in my week's worth of testing, reaching an impressive average efficiency of 3.4 mi/kWh. This average beats out the Genesis GV60 and Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally Edition, which both cost tens of thousands more than the Volvo EX30. Even though it's rated for better efficiency than what I got, it's still nonetheless impressive for an EV with a minuscule 69 kWh battery. In comparison, the Mach-E and GV60 have larger 91 and 77.4 kWh batteries, respectively. Just as good is its faster Level 1 charging speeds at home. Using the supplied charger, the Volvo EX30 achieves an average rate of 3.66 mi/hr — better than the sluggish rate I got with the Genesis GV60. This charging speed is more than enough for my daily commute to and from the train station, but I'd still recommend installing a Level 2 charger at home to get you a full charge overnight. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. 2025 Volvo EX30 2025 Genesis GV60 Performance AWD 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally Price tested $48,395 $69,900 $64,490 Total miles driven 142.7 miles 246.7 miles 187 miles Average Efficiency 3.4 mi/kWh 3.1 mi/kWh 2.3 mi/kWh Best long distance driving efficiency 3.3 mi/kWh 3 mi/kWh N/A Best short distance driving efficiency 3.8 mi/kWh 4.2 mi/kWh N/A Level 1 charging rate 3.66 mi/hr 1.41 mi/hr 2.25 mi/hr Tthe Volvo EX30's driving performance is such a surprise because I didn't think something as tiny as this could be fun. Like I said, the Volvo EX30's driving performance is such a surprise because I didn't think something as tiny as this could be fun — but it is. For an SUV, it drives a lot like a sports car with its tight steering and substantial torque that make it so exhilarating to drive. Surprisingly, the small-ish steering wheel seemed odd at first, but it makes it feel much more responsive with the drive. I thought the car would be underpowered compared to the Ford Mustang Mach-E, but the EX30 offers a much better driving experience in my opinion. It proves that small SUVs can have a sharp bite, and the EX30 is a testament to this. Best of all, it's really easy for anyone to drive right from the get-go. With the previous EX40 and XC40 Recharge, I was already aware of Volvo's design philosophy. However, I have to admit that I was in for more of a surprise stepping inside of the EX30 because of how it sports an even more minimalist design. The dashboard's remarkably spartan, with very few knobs or buttons anywhere to be found — with the center 12.3-inch touchscreen display the only way to access many of its functions. It looks and feels alien at first because of the minimalist design, but I got used to it very quickly. I also like the sustainable materials that Volvo leverages all throughout the cabin space, like fabric upholstery of the seats and accents all throughout the dashboard. Another smart design is the center armrest, which discreetly tucks away the cupholder and houses the buttons to control the windows. One of my favorite features in any car is adaptive cruise control. Usually it's part of a package that adds to the cost, but it comes standard with the 2025 Volvo EX30 Twin Motor Performance Ultra. In fact, I'd recommend getting the Ultra trim over the cheaper Plus trim because the former comes with more advanced Driver assistance systems (ADAS) — plus the difference in price is less than $2,000. What I love about the EX30's adaptive cruise control is that it works anywhere, including local roads. Many high-end EVs don't let me engage their adaptive cruise control systems because they don't support local roads, like the Super Cruise Control system in EVs like the Cadillac Optiq and Chevrolet Blazer EV. This allows the EX30 to take control of the wheel and stay centered in the lane, all while providing the necessary acceleration and braking to maintain cruising speed. Not only does all of this make adaptive cruise control more convenient, especially with longer distances, but it also makes traveling in the vehicle safer because it guides while I'm actively driving. I'm usually nervous about using auto park assist because oftentimes they take forever to detect open spaces, but the EX30 has convinced me it's an excellent parker. Thanks to the outstanding image quality from all the cameras around the vehicle, it's able to detect an available spot almost right away. Once I've made my selections on how I want the EX30 to park, the auto park assist feature does the rest to move the steering wheel to get it into the space. In total, it took about 30 seconds to go from start to finish. I'm just happy that it was able to detect a spot much faster than other EVs I've tested. Another one of Volvo's hallmark designs are the frameless side mirrors on the EX30. I've seen this already in the other two Volvos I've driven and the Polestar 2, and I really wish more car makers would incorporate this design into their vehicles. I really love how it adds to the EX30's already minimalist design philosophy, but I also appreciate how the blind spot sensor lights take up a good portion of the mirror — so that I can easily tell in all driving conditions if there's something there or not. I'm a sucker for panoramic roofs, and I can't get enough of the sprawling views of the sky with the fixed glass roof in the Volvo EX30. It covers nearly the entire cabin space, but thankfully there's a protective UV coating that mitigates the sun's harmful rays from toasting me. That said, I wish the roof came with a proper sun shade to add more cover and privacy, though one's available as an add-on accessory. Adding on to the vehicle's minimalism, the EX30 ditches traditional key fobs and instead offers a unique key card system to open and start up the vehicle. Since I use a MagSafe wallet instead of a traditional one, I like this implementation because it's one less thing I have to worry about remembering when I put the keys last. By simply placing the key card over the window frame, it unlocks/locks the vehicle — while turning on the EX30 requires me to place the keycard in the wireless charging pad underneath the display. Of course, the only problem with this is that I can't remotely unlock the vehicle, but Volvo does offer a digital key that gives you control through its app. Since the EX30 is a compact SUV, storage space comes at a premium. The center console armrest in between the front seats doesn't have a lot of space, while the backseat doesn't have an armrest to pull down — nor are there any cupholders. Additionally, there's not as much legroom in the back for taller passengers to stretch. However, I think the EX30 boasts better legroom than the comparably sized Hyundai Kona Electric. I still love the utility it offers, despite having a smaller trunk space, especially when I can fold over the back seats for extra room. I've already mentioned how I really like the 3.5 mi/kWh average efficiency I got out of the EX30, which is even more impressive in my opinion because I had a lead foot for most of the time I was driving it — it's just that fun to drive. But despite this, I can't overlook the fact that the EX30 is short on range with an EPA-estimated rating of 253 miles. That's not a whole lot, especially when the cheaper (and more full sized) Chevrolet Equinox EV has a range of 315 miles. For some people, its short range might be a big deal breaker, but it's not for me because of its peppier performance and fast charging speeds. Sure, it's not the most feature-filled EV I've come across, but the beauty of the 2025 Volvo EX30 is how well it balances things out. It's also an understated reimagining for the brand, an EV that's both fun to drive with a modern aesthetic that makes it feel unlike any other EV I've tested. There's also the price, which at $48,395 for the model I tested, isn't obnoxious like the vast majority of EVs. In fact, it's the third cheapest EV I've driven this year following the Mini Cooper Countryman EV and Chevrolet Equinox EV. The Volvo EX30 is unlike any other EV I've previously tested and forces me to embrace something different, like relying on just one single display for everything or the overall minimalist approach. Yet, the EX30 strikes the balance in what I look for with its driving performance, cost, and safety. The latter's important and shouldn't be overshadowed by the other two, yet Volvo does it better than most others with its three-point seat belts that tighten you into place in the event of a possible collision. All of these are reasons why I'd go buy a Volvo EX30 with my own money.
Tom's Guide
22-06-2025
- Automotive
- Tom's Guide
I drove the Lucid Air Touring for a week — and it actually relieves EV range anxiety
Lucid EVs are still a rare sight on the roads, but that's part of their allure. I know very well what this EV maker is all about after testing out the Lucid Air Pure last year, proving to me that it addresses one of the biggest concerns people have about EVs — their range. It's no surprise that it's one of the best electric cars you can buy. The 2025 Lucid Air Touring is the middle trim in the lineup and offers nearly the same class-leading efficiency as the Air Pure. But that's accompanied with a more premium cabin space that really makes me feel I'm driving something from the future. In fact, this one particular design choice is something I saw in the upcoming release of the Lucid Gravity. However, the Lucid Air Touring does come at a premium that drives up the price to over $100,000 — up from its MSRP of $78,900. Is the difference worth it? 2025 Lucid Air Touring Battery 92 kWh Motor dual-motor AWD 0 to 60 mph 3.4 seconds Range 377 miles Horsepower 620 hp Wheels 20-inches MSRP $78,900 Price Tested $101,850 The best part about the 2025 Lucid Air Touring is that it offers exceptional range that addresses the range anxiety that still plagues many EVs today. I drove a total of 362.1 miles in my week's worth of testing, accumulating an average efficiency of 4 mi/kWh. Few electric cars I've tested in the last year ever get past 3.5 mi/kWh efficiency, and there's less than a handful that reach 4 mi/kWh. In one of my short distance range tests, the Lucid Air Touring manages to get an average 4.42 mi/kWh efficiency, which is outstanding and proves EVs can match gas-powered vehicles. On the highway for long distance driving, it manages 4.29 mi/kWh efficiency. All of this alleviates the range anxiety that people have around EVs. It also beats similar sport-style EVs I've tested like the Dodge Charger EV and BMW i4 M50 Gran Coupe. Over on the charging side, the Lucid Air Touring is definitely one of the faster models with Level 1 charging at home thanks to its included charger. In fact, its 4.27 mi/hr average rate nets decent range with overnight charging. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. After 7.7 hours of charging, it returned 33 miles back to the battery. That might not sound like a whole lot, but it is. That said, I still recommend installing a Level 2 charger to get nearly a full charge with overnight charging. 2025 Lucid Air Touring 2025 Dodge Charger EV Scat Pack 2025 BMW i4 M50 Gran Coupe EV Price tested $101,850 $78,970 $76,575 Total miles driven 362.1 miles 276.3 miles 461.5 miles Average Efficiency 4 mi/kWh 3.5 mi/kWh 2.9 mi/kWh Best long distance driving efficiency 4.29 mi/kWh 3 mi/kWh N/A Best short distance driving efficiency 4.42 mi/kWh 3.8 mi/kWh N/A Level 1 charging rate 4.27 mi/hr 2.64 mi/hr 2.19 mi/hr A post shared by John Velasco (@john_c_velasco) A photo posted by on From the moment I got inside, the glass canopy roof of the 2025 Lucid Air Touring makes it one of the most futuristic EVs I've been in. Like really, its breathtaking view is like something from the future because of how it makes the front passengers feel that they're surrounded by glass. Even the visors are designed differently to accommodate this! I just love how I can see more of the view in front of me because of this panoramic glass canopy, which actually extends to the back as well so that passengers can get a similar look and feel. Luckily, there's a protective UV coating over the top that offers a bit of shade. However, it's an upgrade option that adds an additional $4,000 cost to its base MSRP. Lucid Motor's philosophy centers around designing EVs with outstanding efficiency, and the 2025 Lucid Air Touring is no different. Although I got better efficiency from the Lucid Air Pure, the 4 mi/kWh average I got from the Lucid Air Touring deserves praise, especially considering how it offers a much more powerful 620 hp performance. There's a lot of torque when I switch to Swift mode, which pulls me back into the seat accelerating up to cruising speed. There's definitely a more responsive feel to its steering as well in Swift mode, making it handle tight turns a breeze — adding up to an exhilarating ride overall. Just like the Air Pure, the Lucid Air Touring features a sleek and sporty design that makes this luxury EV look more like a souped-up sports car, but in sedan form. Part of its excellent efficiency is due to its aerodynamic silhouette design, which makes it lower to the ground and a wider base that allows the Lucid Air Touring to have an exceptionally low drag coefficient. Thanks in part to its design, there's a ton of space in the interior of the Lucid Air Touring. Not only is there ample legroom in the driver's seat, but rear passengers have more room in the back to extend their legs without having them brush up against the seats. This makes for a comfortable ride overall for everyone. However, the low profile roof design can make it feel a little cramped for taller individuals getting in and out of it. Again, I can't overstate how the Lucid Air Touring has a ton of space on the inside. That's also true for its trunk and frunk. With the former, the deep trunk lets me stow my JackRabbit OG2 Pro micro ebike without the need to fold it, while the automatic powered frunk is deep and wide enough to store groceries and other smaller items. Usually frunks are available in larger SUVs and pickup trucks like the Ford F150 Lightning or Rivian R1S, so finding one in a sedan is an extra treat. Much like any other luxury EV I've tested, like the Mercedes-Benz G 580 and Cadillac Optiq, the Lucid Air Touring has a neat unlocking sequence that gives me a dazzling show. With the key fob in hand as I approach it, a brilliant flash of light from the middle of the hood starts things off and cascades to the rest of the headlights. I wouldn't expect anything less from a luxury EV such as this, especially one that costs more than $100K. The adaptive cruise control system in the Lucid Air Touring is responsive at adapting to the road conditions. Not only does it take control of the wheel to assist with steering, but it also applies the necessary braking and acceleration to maintain cruising speed on the road. I also love how the Lucid Air Touring's lane change assist works flawlessly to switch lanes automatically on its own after activating the corresponding turn signal. Thankfully, the adaptive cruise control works well to detect sudden lane changes from other cars on the road; it applies a gentle brake instead of a harsher one I sometimes see in other EVs. As much as the glass canopy roof is a sight to behold, it doesn't offer relief from the sun on those hot and humid days in the summer. Yes, there's a protective UV coating and the rear passenger windows have roll up sun shades, but there's no shade whatsoever with the glass roof — which means that the sun is constantly shining down into the interior space. Although a physical shade would be impractical here due to how the front glass canopy extends all the way to the dashboard, there could be at least a physical shade cover for the passenger side — or Lucid could implement the electrochromic glass shade found in the Rivian R1S and Lexus RZ450e. However, I suspect this would drive up the cost even more. At $101,850 tested, the Lucid Air Touring is obnoxiously priced for any EV — let alone a sedan. For about the same price, you could get yourself bigger EVs that offer more utility, like the Chevrolet Silverado EV and even the GMC Hummer EV. Most of the Lucid's cost is driven by all the options thrown in, like its ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System), glass canopy roof, premium seat trim, stealth appearance, and its comfort and convenience package. Strip away all those options, you still have an incredibly efficient and powerful EV at its base price of $78,900. Between that and the base model I tested, the Air Pure, the Air Touring largely benefits from a strong electric motor performance and all wheel driving. To be fair, the 2025 Lucid Air Touring is still an incredible EV without all of those options and packages. If you want that futuristic look with its glass canopy roof, it's an aesthetic choice that makes the EV look even more futuristic than it is. But I would probably skip it to have more privacy and shading. Beyond the aesthetics, the Lucid Air Touring blends fun and sporty driving with class-leading efficiency that squashes doubt about range distance anxiety. You'll be able to drive farther and longer than most EVs thanks to its efficiency, but the Lucid Air Touring doesn't sacrifice its sporty drive when you need the extra power. I think it's a sound value with the base trim without any add-ons at $78,900.
Auto Blog
12-06-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
2025 Lucid Air Touring Review: The Closest Thing to EV Perfection
I'm not an EV enthusiast by any stretch, but if I were to own one, I wouldn't look any further than a Lucid Air. How does one define 'perfect'? What's the automotive equivalent of perfection? That's as loaded a question as a cannon during the Civil War. The perfect car is the one that does everything you need it to for a price you can afford, and that differs from person to person. However, I do believe there is a claim to be made that perfect cars exist within their respective segments. They are those that best characterize their segments and fulfill the requirements associated with said segment. Think of the way the Mazda Miata is the perfect roadster (fight me about it), and you'll get what I mean. I'm here to make the case that the Lucid Air is just about the perfect EV sedan. Yes, it's pricey, and yes, it's fancy, but it does everything it needs to do so well that it's hard to find a fault. Here, let me try to convince you. 2025 Lucid Air Touring — Source: Ryan Brackin Ladies and gentlemen, the Lucid Air Touring The Lucid Air that I was fortunate enough to call mine for a week was the Touring, the mid-level trim that nestles between the Pure and the Grand Touring. The Sapphire is such a different beast that I consider it an outlier within its class, and thus I'll exclude it from this comparison. 2025 Lucid Air Touring — Source: Ryan Brackin The Touring starts at $78,900 and sports a dual-motor all-wheel drive with a 93 kWh battery. That combination makes 620 hp, 738 lb-ft of torque, and can scoot from 0-60 mph in 3.4 seconds. The Air Touring claims an EPA-estimated range of 425 miles, and thanks to its 250 kW DC charging capability, it can add 200 miles in 16 minutes at an adequate fast charger. That range figure meant that in my week of driving it, I put around 300 miles on the car and only had to charge once. Get an Air, and range anxiety is largely a thing of the past. That's, of course, if you can find a fast charger, own a house with a garage, or have ample time for a slow charger. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Also, with that kind of power, it should go without saying that acceleration is nothing but effortless, especially in its 'Sprint' drive mode. This really is the kind of car where you need to pay attention to the speedometer and not get pulled over, because never has 90 mph felt so much like 65 mph. Its all-wheel drive system and low stance make turning feel like you're on rails at any speed, and I never felt like I was in danger of spinning out or losing control. 2025 Lucid Air Touring — Source: Ryan Brackin If you're just looking to cruise or get a taste of speed without going all out, the 'Smooth' and 'Swift' drive modes can give you each of those, respectively, but don't expect the Lucid Air to be anything but fast regardless of drive mode. It's quick and it can charge fast, but can it haul stuff? Well, that depends on your configuration, and this can be seen as the Air's first downside. With the seats up, the trunk has a capacity of 22.1 cubic feet that expands to 64.8 cubic feet with the seats down. The frunk does add 10 cubic feet, but it's not the biggest storage capacity on the market by any means. Shout-out to the fact that both the trunk and frunk can be opened and closed from the touchscreen, though, meaning that if you have someone else in the car, loading cargo is a hands-off experience. 2025 Lucid Air Touring — Source: Ryan Brackin That exterior design The Lucid Air is a damn sexy car, and while my girlfriend might strongly disagree, it's a hill I will die on. Its low-slung proportions and long curves make it a sleek machine in any scenario, something that's only further accentuated by the long, slim headlights and taillights. While the Infinite Black Metallic color isn't the one I'd choose if I were buying one, a Lucid Air in the two-tone Zenith Red Metallic with the silver roof and glass canopy would steal my heart. Honorable mentions go to the accent strip on the frunk that houses the lit-up Lucid emblem, the second Lucid emblem cleverly placed at the corners of the taillights, and the trim-specific badge at the base of the C-pillars. My Air Touring was also optioned with the Stealth Appearance package, which blacks out some of the shiny exterior finishes for an extra $1,750. As someone who likes to show off and as a big proponent of shiny stuff, I'd opt to keep that off my options list, but I see how some may dig the look. The 20' Aero Lite Stealth wheels were also a big plus, but with a $1,750 price tag, I'd personally stick with the base 19' Aero Range wheels as they're still unique and don't look too small on the car. 2025 Lucid Air Touring 2025 Lucid Air Touring Oh, and that cabin I'm a sucker for different materials and colors, and much like the Cadillac Optiq, the Lucid Air's interior doesn't disappoint my tastes. Lucid names all of their interior color schemes after places on the West Coast, like Mojave, Santa Cruz, and Tahoe. My particular Air Touring had the optional $3,000 Tahoe Leather interior, which provided a gorgeous contrasting brown finish to the black exterior. I could do without the optional Alcantara headliner, and would much prefer the glass canopy in its place, but the gray textile finish on the seatbacks, lower door panels, and lower dashboard was such a breath of fresh air from the plastic or vinyl finishes in other cars. It's yet another reminder that sometimes all you need to be different is to include a touch of grandpa's sweater in your cabin, and it'll be a welcome escape. The rest of the interior was equally as nice, with the door handle release 'knobs' in the door grab being one of my absolute favorite touches in any car ever. The optional power & rear window sunshades were snazzy to have, and I can see how they would be very useful when the California sun really starts beating down. 2025 Lucid Air Touring 2025 Lucid Air Touring As tech-forward as you'd expect Given its price range and the company it hails from, one would expect the Lucid Air to be chock-full of technology and touchscreens. One would be right. The main screens comprise the digital cluster and the main infotainment screen, which combined make up the 34-inch 'Glass Cockpit Display Screen.' The main infotainment screen displays functions like your apps, music, navigation, and phone calls. The 'Retractable Pilot Screen' below it handles additional features, such as AC, drive modes, seat controls, and charging settings, among others. Some of the more important functions, like AC and the trunk, frunk, and glovebox release, are permanently on the pilot screen or easily accessible from a pull-down menu like an Android's notification center. It's a nice touch, and when combined with the physical piano keys below for the AC controls and the volume cylinder wheel, it makes the car feel less overwhelming and annoying to control. And yes, that pilot screen retracts into the dashboard with a simple swipe, revealing a rather sizable storage cubby behind it. It's an incredibly clever function, and a useful one too. The $2,900 Surreal Sound Pro system features 21 speakers and is an absolute must if you're looking at buying one of these. It's an utterly tremendous unit that remains clear and distortion-free even at its maximum volume. Any song I'd play through it would turn the interior into an opera house, with rich bass, clear highs, and crisp mids. I, along with every passenger in the car, could not get enough of it, and we constantly found ourselves switching between various songs to test out the system's capabilities. On one last tech-related note, the $3,000 Comfort & Convenience Package adds the aforementioned window shades, alongside four-zone climate control, a power frunk, heated wipers, steering wheel & seats, as well as soft-close doors. Take that Rolls-Royce. 2025 Lucid Air Touring — Source: Ryan Brackin Lucid's safety suite is an impressive one Lucid's standard DreamDrive Premium suite includes your run-of-the-mill systems like blind spot warning, emergency braking, front/rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure protection, adaptive cruise control, and so on. Some of its snazzier features, though, include automatic park in & out, and a terrific 3D surround view camera that makes parking in any spot a relative breeze. If that's not quite enough for your needs, you can also upgrade to DreamDrive Pro in the future for $9,000. According to Lucid, that will include an Advanced Driver Assistance System for driving and parking, curb rash alert, LiDAR, and Drive Assist with Active Lane Centering. We'll have to see how those function when they actually go live. 2025 Lucid Air Touring — Source: Ryan Brackin It's not perfect, but boy is it close My list of complaints has to start with the lack of Android Auto. From my research, that's largely the fault of Google's slow approval process, but for a car that's been on the market since 2021, that's starting to become inexcusable. That gets even more inexcusable when you consider that Apple CarPlay is already here. The one upside is that you can link your Spotify account directly to the Lucid and natively play your songs without needing your phone, but that quickly becomes useless with its spotty connection. I'm not sure if this was a software bug in my review car or if Lucid dislikes Sacramento as much as I do, but I would often be hit with a 'Server Connection Error' mid-song and be forced to switch to Bluetooth on the fly to continue listening. It's by no means a deal breaker, but it's incredibly annoying when it constantly happens. The A-pillars are also some of the biggest I've seen, and make turns a bit of an awkward endeavor, having to bend forward to see around them. I was also not the biggest fan of the way the digital cluster handled the battery percentage and miles left. I could only choose between one or the other, and I feel that having both on screen would give drivers a better idea of how much electricity they use while driving and how full their battery truly is. I don't want to do the math to figure out what 62% capacity is. I want to see the number. 2025 Lucid Air Touring Final thoughts Needless to say, I was not a happy camper when it came time to give the Lucid Air Touring back at the end of the week. I couldn't help but feel spoiled by its sheer power, its luxury, its technology, and dashing good looks. As equipped, the sticker price of my review unit came out to $92,800, but without the optional wheels and Stealth Appearance package, you'd be looking at around $89,300. That is A LOT of money, there is no arguing that. But you get so much for your money that I truly feel as if there is no competition here. A 2025 Mercedes-Benz S500 4MATIC, the car that some argue is the standard of luxury, starts at $117,750. To me, that car doesn't hold a candle to the Lucid Air. If I were given the choice of buying either one, I would pick the Lucid 11 times out of 10. The company put so much effort into every little detail to make itself stand out in the relatively crowded segment of EV luxury sedans, and it shows in everything from the color schemes, to the material choices, to the design elements and the overall driving experience. I'm an automotive enthusiast through and through, and I adore the smell of gas in the morning and the rumble of a combustion engine. If I had to make the switch, though, or if I wanted an electric commuter that I knew was both practical and fun, the Lucid Air would be my first, second, and third choice. See Ryan Brackin's (@ryanbrackinphoto) full gallery from the shoot here 2025 Lucid Air Touring About the Author Gabriel Ionica View Profile
Miami Herald
03-06-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Lucid Launches Killer 2025 Air Lease Offer for June
The Lucid Air is one of the standout candidates in the EV segment, with attractive looks, impressive specs, and plenty of space to boot. If you've been waiting for the right time to see what all the hype is about, Lucid is now offering up to $31,500 off the Air, but you better move fast, as the offer ends at the end of June. The lease offers for the 2026 Lucid Air are nationwide, meaning that regardless of where you live in the U.S., you'll be able to save a Scrooge McDuck-sized bag of cash. The Lucid Air Pure is available for $519/month for 36 months with $3,639 due at signing and up to $21,500 off split between a $2,000 on-site bonus, a $2,000 conquest bonus, a $10,000 Air Credit, and a $7,500 EV Credit. Step up to more powerful Lucid Air Touring, and you'll get $539/month for 36 months with $4,079 due at signing and up to $26,500 off split between a $2,000 on-site bonus, a $2,000 conquest bonus, a $15,000 Air Credit, and a $7,500 EV Credit. At the top of the trim tree is the Lucid Air Grand Touring, with a payment of $849/month for 36 months with $6,819 due at signing and up to $31,500 off split between a $2,000 on-site bonus, a $2,000 conquest bonus, a $20,000 Air Credit, and a $7,500 EV Credit. These lease offers end on June 30, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. ET, which is also when you'll need to take delivery of your Air to take advantage of the on-site bonus or Air Credit. The conquest bonus is available to U.S. residents who own or lease an internal combustion or hybrid vehicle from a competitive brand including Acura, Alfa Romeo, Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Genesis, Infiniti, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lexus, Lincoln, Mercedes, Maserati, Porsche, Volvo, Aston Martin, Bentley, Ferrari, Ineos, Lamborghini, Lotus, McLaren, MINI, and Rolls Royce. If you trade in a Tesla, you can even get an additional $4,000 Tesla Trade-in Allowance. Potential lessees who want to save money on the upfront costs can pay $0 at signing, with some adjustments to the monthly payment. We have estimated the monthly payments by spreading the amount at signing over the lease's term. A $0 down payment on a Lucid Air Pure by around $101 per month, for a total payment of ~$620 per month. On a Lucid Air Touring, you'll see a monthly increase of ~$113 for a total payment of ~$652 per month. Lastly, the top Lucid Air Grand Touring would see an increase of ~$189 for a total payment of $1,038 per month. *This $0 down figure is an estimation. Official $0 down lease offers from Lucid may differ based on their specific calculations, credit approval, and potential money factor adjustments. Always obtain a quote directly from Lucid. Even in its base $69,900 Pure trim, the Lucid Air doesn't fail to impress. With a 420-mile range, 430 hp, a 0-60 mph time of 4.5 seconds, and a charge to 200 miles time of 17 minutes on a 350 kW DC fast charger, it will easily knock many other EVs clear out of the water. Step up to the $78,900 Touring, and those figures jump up significantly in most areas. We're talking a 406-mile range, 620 hp, a 0-60 mph time of 3.4 seconds, and a charge to 200 miles time of 16 minutes on a 350 kW DC fast charger. Lastly, we have the Grand Touring, with a 512-mile range, 819 hp, a 0-60 mph time of 3.0 seconds, and a charge to 200 miles time of 12 minutes on a 350 kW DC fast charger. Save for a few extra amenities, like a full-length sunroof, all of the Air's trim levels sport tremendous opulence inside, with tasteful wood touches all around. A 34-inch "Glass Cockpit" houses both the digital cluster and the infotainment system, with an optional 21-speaker Surreal Sound Pro sound system filling the cabin with your sweet tunes. Cargo space in the Air is 22.1 cubic feet in the trunk that expands to 64.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down, and 10 cubic feet in the front trunk. We won't mention the $249,000 Sapphire, as that's in a league all of its own. Lease offers can vary based on location and specific vehicle configuration (trim level, options, etc.) and are subject to credit approval. Advertised payments typically exclude taxes, title, registration, and other potential fees. To take advantage of this offer or to get a precise quote based on your needs (including an official $0 down option), visit the official Lucid website here. *Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. The information presented herein is based on manufacturer-provided lease offer information, which is subject to frequent change and may vary based on location, creditworthiness, and other factors. We are not a party to any lease agreements and assume no liability for the terms, conditions, availability, or accuracy of any lease offers mentioned. All terms, including but not limited to pricing, mileage allowances, and residual values, require direct verification with an authorized local OEM dealership. This article does not constitute financial advice or an endorsement of any particular lease or vehicle. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
