See inside the $180,000 Lucid Air, a luxurious new Tesla rival with 5 screens, butt massagers, and a secret storage cubby
The Lucid Air's swanky interior features tons of leather, wood, and suede.Tim Levin/Insider
- I drove the Lucid Air, a new Tesla rival from a California-based car startup.
- The Grand Touring Performance model Lucid lent me cost $180,000.
I drove one of the coolest new electric cars on the market right now: the Lucid Air.
The Lucid Air Grand Touring Performance. Tim Levin/Insider
In addition to mind-blowing acceleration and Tesla-beating range, the California startup's first car offers up a striking and elegant interior full of dazzling screens.
The Lucid Air Grand Touring Performance. Tim Levin/Insider
Let me show you around inside the $180,000 Air Grand Touring Performance, which Lucid lent me for a few days earlier this month.
The Lucid Air Grand Touring Performance. Tim Levin/Insider
Let's start with where owners will spend the most time: the cockpit.
The Lucid Air Grand Touring Performance. Tim Levin/Insider
One of the first things you notice is the giant windshield that sweeps way back over your head.
The Lucid Air Grand Touring Performance. Tim Levin/Insider
It makes the roomy cabin feel even more open and airy. But it also turns the car into a bit of a greenhouse on sunny days.
The Lucid Air Grand Touring Performance. Tim Levin/Insider
You get a meaty steering wheel with some switches for the media and cruise-control settings.
The Lucid Air Grand Touring Performance. Tim Levin/Insider
The 34-inch cluster of three screens behind the steering wheel almost looks like it's floating above the dashboard.
The Lucid Air Grand Touring Performance. Tim Levin/Insider
It includes a simple digital gauge cluster that displays key info like your range, odometer, and drive mode.
The Lucid Air Grand Touring Performance. Tim Levin/Insider
It isn't customizable, but it shows different information in different situations.
The Lucid Air Grand Touring Performance. Tim Levin/Insider
To the left of that, you'll find a little touchscreen with some buttons that never change. It's a nice touch given the Air's lack of regular switches.
The Lucid Air Grand Touring Performance. Tim Levin/Insider
The Air's main infotainment screen lies on the opposite side. Here's where you can access then navigation, radio, and Apple CarPlay.
The Lucid Air Grand Touring Performance. Tim Levin/Insider
Below that is the biggest screen and the one you'll likely use the most.
The Lucid Air Grand Touring Performance. Tim Levin/Insider
It's where you access things like the heated seats ...
The Lucid Air Grand Touring Performance. Tim Levin/Insider
... interior lighting ...
The Lucid Air Grand Touring Performance. Tim Levin/Insider
... and drive modes.
The Lucid Air Grand Touring Performance. Tim Levin/Insider
Swipe up and the entire screen stows away, revealing a small secret cubby where you can forget things.
The Lucid Air Grand Touring Performance. Tim Levin/Insider
All the Lucid's screens are super crisp, responsive, and nice to look at. They don't feel clunky like a lot of other automotive software.
The Lucid Air Grand Touring Performance. Tim Levin/Insider
There's one downside though: It's unsettling to look away from the road to adjust basic functions like the heated steering wheel. Buttons are easier.
The Lucid Air Grand Touring Performance. Tim Levin/Insider
The multiple screens come in mighty handy when parking, though. The upper display shows the backup camera while the lower one shows a 360-degree view.
The Lucid Air Grand Touring Performance. Tim Levin/Insider
Overall, the Air Grand Touring's interior feels modern, high-end, and unique.
The Lucid Air Grand Touring Performance. Tim Levin/Insider
It's filled with rich leathers, sleek wood trim, and suede accents.
The Lucid Air Grand Touring Performance. Tim Levin/Insider
The seats are supportive and keep you comfy even on long drives. The adjustable thigh supports were a welcome feature for a taller guy like me.
The Lucid Air Grand Touring Performance. Tim Levin/Insider
A slew of different massage functions (that even massage your butt) help with that.
The Lucid Air Grand Touring Performance. Tim Levin/Insider
The door latches are these weird nubs that you pull backward to exit.
The Lucid Air Grand Touring Performance. Tim Levin/Insider
The doors open surprisingly wide.
The Lucid Air Grand Touring Performance. Tim Levin/Insider
And there's no need to slam these soft-close doors.
The Lucid Air Grand Touring Performance. Tim Levin/Insider
Between the front seats, there's a cubby with a wireless charger that holds your phone vertically.
The Lucid Air Grand Touring Performance. Tim Levin/Insider
Throughout the interior there are subtle nods to Lucid's California heritage.
The Lucid Air Grand Touring Performance. Tim Levin/Insider
The back seats are a nice place to spend time in as well.
The Lucid Air Grand Touring Performance. Tim Levin/Insider
Since the Air is so long and wide, there's tons of legroom. But there isn't really anywhere for your feet.
The Lucid Air Grand Touring Performance. Tim Levin/Insider
In Airs with the larger battery option, extra cells take up some space in the footwells. It means you end up sitting with your knees a bit higher than you may like.
The Lucid Air Grand Touring Performance. Tim Levin/Insider
I really liked the two-tone interior in the Air Lucid lent me.
The Lucid Air Grand Touring Performance. Tim Levin/Insider
Since this is a supremely expensive luxury car, back seat passengers get amenities like heated seats, their very own air vents, and a little storage cubby.
The Lucid Air Grand Touring Performance. Tim Levin/Insider
They also get sunshades on the rear windows.
The Lucid Air Grand Touring Performance. Tim Levin/Insider
In addition to lots of little spots to stash things, the Air also offers tons of room for bulkier cargo.
The Lucid Air Grand Touring Performance. Tim Levin/Insider
I think its clamshell trunk looks so darn cool and unique.
The Lucid Air Grand Touring Performance. Tim Levin/Insider
It's big, but the opening is wider and shallower than usual.
The Lucid Air Grand Touring Performance. Tim Levin/Insider
Plus, there's a big bonus area under the floor.
The Lucid Air Grand Touring Performance. Tim Levin/Insider
We'll end the tour up front with the frunk.
The Lucid Air Grand Touring Performance. Tim Levin/Insider
One of the best perks of EVs is even better in the Lucid Air. Remove a panel and the frunk expands to become one of the biggest in the biz.
The Lucid Air Grand Touring Performance. Tim Levin/Insider
Popular Right Now
Advertisement