Electric vehicles are the future, and they’re not exclusive to the Big Three, or other established automakers worldwide.
Elon Musk and Tesla were early entries into the space, but he has company with other startups named Rivian, Lucid, and others from China.
This week’s test drive was the 2025 Lucid Air Pure luxury, rear-wheel drive sports sedan. Lucid is a Silicon Valley-based technology company based in Arizona that is taking on electric vehicle’s Achilles heel head on. Range anxiety. Most electrics have limited range, many less than 200 miles, that can be affected negatively by extreme hot and cold temperatures.
Air Pure is Lucid’s entry-level vehicle, yet it delivers 420 miles EPA-estimated range, a powerful new infotainment processor, and a heat pump as standard equipment. Range extends from there with Grand Touring and Sapphire trim levels.
“The advancements introduced across the Lucid Air lineup in 2025 further cement our leadership position,” said Peter Rawlinson, CEO and CTO of Lucid. “Lucid Air is the embodiment of our relentless approach to optimization, enabling Air Pure to use less electrical energy than any production vehicle traveling from Point A to Point B.”
Lucid instigated record rubber-necking from nearby motorists. Air Pure’s sleek, space-age design was part of the reason. The other is that the car is still relatively obscure, with not many on the road – at least in Snohomish County.
Air Pure features a single electric motor driving the rear wheels and produces 430 horsepower. It travels from 0-to-60 miles per hours in a surprising 4.3 seconds, with a top-speed of 130. A smaller, lighter, battery back than competitors is positioned toward the back, while the heat pump ensures range capacity, even when the weather turns cold.
The vehicle’s interior delivers leg and head room befitting of a full-size vehicle. Rear passengers are not relegated – they are celebrated – with space equal to front seat passengers. Lucid seats five adults in comfort, with an equally spacious trunk and “frunk” delivering a wealth of cargo space. Lucid, its extended range, makes for the perfect road trip car.
Despite riding on conventional steel coil springs rather than air springs, Lucid Air Pure delivered a smooth, quiet ride in the appropriately named “Smooth” drive mode.
Creature comforts are what one would expect, and more. My favorites included leather-alternative, 12-way power front seats that dialed in perfection, navigation system with large touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Smartphone charging, Bluetooth wireless technology, and three-zone automatic climate control. I also loved the glass roof that improved visibility and flooded the interior with natural light.
All Lucid models come standard with three years of complimentary charging via the Electrify America charging network. My tester charged quicker than other electric cars, charging from 20% capacity to over 80%, in less than 20 minutes.
Completing Lucid’s cutting-edge package are a number of driver-assistance features that provide owner’s a family a sense of security. Standard forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control with a lane-entering feature get the party started.
Other safety and security technology includes distracted and drowsy driver alerts, park distance warning, advanced air bag deployment, and over-the-air software updates.
Base Price: $71,400
Price As Driven: $77,150
Destination charge is included in base price. Vehicles are provided by the manufacturer. List price may vary at local dealerships.
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