The 2023 Lucid Air Touring might be the best luxury EV on the market right now. It’s got the looks, the power, and the range to back it up. We took it on a 1,600-mile trip that included navigating the streets of New York City to see how it really holds up in the real world. And for the most part, it delivered, but not without a few quirks.

Our Spec

Our test car came in just shy of $90,000. It featured 620 horsepower, dual-motor all-wheel drive, and a claimed range of 406 miles. It didn’t come with the optional premium audio system, which we missed, but it did include the all-glass roof, two-tone interior, retractable center screen, and Lucid’s signature clamshell-style trunk. The spec was clean and thoughtful, luxury without being loud.

Driving Impressions

Overall, the Lucid Air Touring felt very refined. Acceleration is immediate and smooth, with plenty of torque when you need it, but the power delivery never feels aggressive. It just moves, quietly and confidently. In New York traffic, that calm demeanor made a big difference. Compared to something like a Tesla Model S, the Lucid feels more planted and more comfortable. Less flashy, more composed.

Steering is direct without being twitchy, and the ride quality is excellent. It soaks up broken pavement without flinching. On the highway, it cruises with minimal noise and zero fatigue.

Interior and Design

The cabin is where Lucid really sets itself apart. Our tester had a two-tone interior, with the front and rear seats finished in different colors, and it actually worked. It looked intentional and upscale, like something you’d expect from a high-end European brand.

The retractable center screen is one of the better integrations of tech we’ve seen. It disappears into the dash when not needed, and the UI is snappy and intuitive. The glass roof adds to the sense of space without overheating the cabin, though it does highlight the one interior flaw: tiny sunvisors. They do the job, barely, but for a car this advanced, they feel like an afterthought.

The only real miss was the base audio system. It’s serviceable, but for a car in this price range, it really should come standard with the upgraded sound. It’s the one part of the experience that didn’t feel premium.

Reliability and Real-World Frustrations

Over the course of our trip, we had a malfunction warning flash on the dash a few different times. It would stay on for a few hours, telling us the car needed immediate service, then disappear completely. It didn’t seem to impact performance at all, but seeing that kind of alert in a brand-new vehicle wasn’t exactly reassuring. It happened three or four times, always at random.

Then there was the tire issue. Two days in, we picked up a nail, and things got tricky fast. The Lucid Air uses a specific tire size and compound, and there was only one replacement available on the entire East Coast at the time. While we waited for a real fix, a local shop did a patch job that got us through the rest of the trip, but it wasn’t ideal. That kind of parts scarcity could become a real headache for owners.

That said, our car came on the standard tire setup, not the low-profile performance rubber. And honestly, that probably saved us. The taller sidewalls handled potholes and rough roads in New York without issue. Ride quality stayed solid, and we didn’t cringe every time we saw cracked pavement.

Everyday Usability

What surprised us most was just how easy the Air Touring was to live with. The 360-degree cameras made parking and tight spots stress-free. The flat rear floor added comfort for backseat passengers, and the clamshell-style trunkwas genuinely useful. Lucid’s design creates a bi-level cargo area, so you can slide suitcases in easily and stash smaller items below. It’s functional without sacrificing style.

Loading up the car with people and gear never felt like a compromise. For something that looks this sleek, it’s surprisingly practical.

Final Thoughts: Worth It?

The Lucid Air Touring is an impressive showing from a relatively young company. It’s quick, comfortable, and genuinely luxurious. It feels like a car built by people who care about the details, not just the numbers. Yes, there are still some bugs to iron out (occasional warning lights and limited parts availability are real concerns) but none of it takes away from how well this car drives.

If Lucid can improve its service network and sort out some early reliability issues, this car becomes an absolute standout in the segment. As it stands, it’s still one of the most enjoyable, refined EVs we’ve driven. #TeamLucid