It’s been a four-plus-year journey for Gravity – Lucid Motors’ second flagship SUV. Because it was first unveiled, I’ve adopted Gravity’s growth carefully, itching to get behind the wheel of a full-fledged manufacturing model to check drive – and that day has lastly come, my associates. Final week, I took a visit to Lucid’s design studio, the place I had my most intimate encounter with the Gravity SUV thus far, together with a short however informative take a look at drive across the Bay Space. There, I additionally discovered that the official vary of the Lucid Gravity is a powerful 450 miles. Take a look at photographs and a video of my expertise beneath.
As talked about above, Gravity has been a top-of-mind dialogue at any time when Lucid Motors comes up, and its journey to manufacturing and shortly deliveries has been thrilling. Manner again when Lucid shared a launch video of its flagship sedan, the Air, we caught a short glimpse of its encore EV, Gravity, silhouetted by the solar.
Since then, I’ve been clamoring for extra particulars about this SUV, which represents Lucid’s subsequent step in delivering a wider vary of auto choices that can ultimately develop into much less catered to the prosperous and extra out there to all, particularly when its “Mid-size” EVs launch after Gravity.
For now, nonetheless, Gravity represents Lucid’s enterprise into all-electric SUVs and has delivered a stage of design luxurious, technological innovation, and modularity it’s turning into famend for. We caught our first public glimpse at Gravity in November of 2022 earlier than catching some camo’d highway testing the next April.
In November of 2023, Lucid formally launched Gravity, sharing some preliminary particulars, together with a frunk seat and an estimated vary of 440 miles. This previous January, I bought my first up-close take a look at the brand new SUV at Lucid’s meeting plant in Casa Grande, Arizona, when the corporate kicked off Section Two of its EV manufacturing traces, which incorporates Gravity builds.
Gravity orders opened in October with a Grand Touring out there now, adopted by a Touring trim beginning at below $80,000 set to reach in late 2025. Final week, whereas I used to be with the Lucid group in California, it accomplished its first Gravity manufacturing construct set for buyer supply.
Because the early variations of the Gravity lastly start to succeed in reservation holders, I bought the prospect to check out a pre-production model and have shared my ideas beneath. Moreover, we’ve discovered that the official EPA vary of the Lucid Gravity will probably be 450 miles, larger than initially promised.
The Lucid Gravity “compromises nothing,” together with vary
To start my newest go to to Lucid HQ, I did a walkthrough with Gravity and senior vp of design and model Derek Jenkins. Derek confirmed me a slideshow explaining the design that went into Gravity, a few of which I had seen and a few totally new to me.
Jenkins defined Lucid’s new advertising and marketing mantra, “Compromise nothing. ” After studying extra about Gravity inside and outside and taking it for a spin, I can actually say that the American automaker stayed true to its new ethos on this one.
Gravity is a superbly assembled, for lack of a greater phrase, “hodge podge” of the most effective components in luxurious automobiles and SUVs, culminating in a modular, spacious, luxurious, tech-forward, and maybe most significantly, environment friendly mannequin.
It was right here that Jenkins knowledgeable me the EPA vary of the Lucid Gravity had been secured, and the Grand Touring trim it’s launching first delivers 450 miles of vary on a single cost. That’s higher than the 440 miles initially introduced.
At any time when anybody ever questions Lucid’s success thus far or its future in EV gross sales, I at all times level to the corporate’s know-how. It’s unmatched. I’ve been a believer since I bought unique entry to Lucid’s powertrain facility in Arizona, and the general public is simply now beginning to grasp simply how forward of everybody this automaker is.
A first-rate instance is the RWD Air Pure, which accomplishes a world-leading effectivity of 5 miles per kWh. That very same know-how went into the tri-motor Air Sapphire and is a big motive why it is ready to drive so quick and to this point with a considerably smaller battery pack than its rivals.
Lucid is constructing electrical motors which can be smaller, extra highly effective, and extra environment friendly than anybody. As such, the corporate can ship automobiles that require fewer batteries which can be lighter and value much less to mass produce, which in flip helps drive down the fee for purchasers. I don’t suppose folks will really grasp this benefit till mid-size comes out, however I digress; the proof has been proper in entrance of everybody this whole time.
Jenkins instructed me that Lucid’s objective with Gravity was to out-space and out-utilize conventional SUVs and out-sport the Porsches and Lamborghinis. The pillars of that method are design methods widespread amongst all SUV producers, but it surely’s at all times been a give-and-take method, e.g., house over agility, efficiency over vary, functionality over luxurious, or practicality over sustainability. By compromising nothing, Lucid has assembled a brand new breed of SUV that checks all of these containers and delivers 5 pillars in a single automobile:
- House: Utility, consolation, flexibility
- Effectivity: Vary, charging speeds, sustainability
- Design: Sophistication, craftsmanship, once more, sustainability
- Efficiency: On-road and off-road capabilities, dealing with, acceleration
- Digital expertise: A cabin that’s Intuitive, immersive, related
For that motive, I’d describe the Lucid Gravity as about ten vehicles in a single, combining the most effective qualities of every to create a very spectacular EV with world-class vary and effectivity.
Except for vary, Lucid Gravity marvels in house utilization
A key issue many individuals can’t really grasp from 2D photographs of the Lucid Gravity is simply how spacious it’s, even for an EV that’s comparable and even smaller in top and size than its competitor. As lots of you already know, EV structure allows OEMs to customise the ground of their automobiles to permit extra inside and cargo quantity. Nevertheless, you continue to have to retailer all these batteries, motors, and inverters; some are higher at it than others.
I’d argue that Lucid is once more a frontrunner on this design method, utilizing a 900V platform nonetheless. For instance, the Lucid Gravity is shorter and decrease than almost all of its SUV rivals, together with OEMs like Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Rivian, and Chevrolet. On the identical time, the Gravity delivers considerably higher cargo quantity (120 cu. ft. within the five-seat structure and 114.3 cu. ft. within the seven-seater). Lucid shared that’s over 40% extra cargo house than the Mercedes EQS SUV, which is sort of spacious in its personal proper.
Let’s not neglect the Gravity’s frunk, which presents an extra 8.1 cubic ft of cargo house and a bench for individuals who need to sit and tailgate, watch the sundown, or simply flex on everybody whereas at a public charger. Chances are you’ll first be turned on by the look and vary of the Lucid Gravity, however if you expertise it close-up, its the little additions that make it a standout within the SUV section.
For instance, Lucid was capable of make the most of an extra 6.2 cu. ft. of storage within the trunk behind the rear wheels. This part is ideal for storing baggage or for hiding the third row away cleanly and flatly. Talking of the third row, that two presents a number of the most legroom in its class by solely sacrificing a little bit of headroom on account of its low aerodynamic form. I climbed again into the third row earlier than my take a look at drive and was impressed at how a lot room I had, even with out transferring the second row up, which you are able to do if wanted. Take a look (I’m 5′ 11″):
In so many SUVs, the third row is just appropriate for kids as a result of adults’ knees typically find yourself pressed proper up towards the second row. You both have to take a seat at an angle or suck it up, counting down the minutes earlier than you get to your vacation spot and may stretch out. Not best.
Or, you should buy a large SUV like a Chevy Tahoe, which provides you with that wanted house, however it’s inefficient and complicated to park in tight areas on account of its monumental dimension. I need to reiterate that Lucid has utilized each sq. inch of Gravity’s footprint with the driving force and their passengers in thoughts. It’s a family-friendly SUV that may stow everybody’s baggage with no roof rack and home an 8-foot surfboard. Did I point out that the Lucid Gravity Grand Touring model additionally presents 450 miles of EPA vary?
Certain, its smooth and splendid and has a ton of house, however how does it drive?
I’ve been asking myself that very same query for over a 12 months now, and eventually, I bought my probability to check out Gravity on public roads. Spoiler alert—it was superior.
Gravity feels a lot like Air, I forgot I used to be driving an SUV
I need to preface my driving impressions by stating that I used to be in a pre-production Gran Touring model of the Gravity, and a few options have been lacking, like its superior AR head-up show, which I used to be bummed I couldn’t expertise but. Nonetheless, I’m positive I’ll get a for much longer drive alternative quickly, and I’ll observe up with a extra complete overview.
For now, I can share my ideas on a 20-minute drive round Newark, California. Regardless of the restricted time behind the wheel, it was straightforward to know Gravity and the way it handles. Upon first getting behind the wheel and heading off, my preliminary impression was based mostly on the general really feel—not simply by way of the dealing with but additionally the inside and driver positioning.
All I might say at first was, “This drives like a Lucid.” The 2 techs within the SUV with me smiled at each other and instructed me they have been completely satisfied to listen to that as a result of that’s exactly what the group was striving for after they fine-tuned it.
My second takeaway was how small and nimble it feels for a bigger automobile. For those who’ve learn my work, you’ll know I’ve pushed each trim of each mannequin 12 months of the Lucid Air thus far, so I’m very conversant in how these EVs drive. I instantly felt relaxed and accountable for Gravity and would say it drives precisely like an Air regardless of being considerably bigger. At one level, I forgot I used to be in an SUV till I checked my rearview mirror and noticed three rows behind me.
The twin motor was A+ in acceleration, and you already know I’m a stickler for one-pedal driving. Gravity didn’t disappoint. The regenerative braking is stiff however not jarring and is extraordinarily straightforward to grasp. After hitting a few cloverleaf exit ramps as quick as I might, we hit a service highway to check out launch mode. I hit 0-60 mph in below 3.5 seconds and would have beloved to maintain pushing it if I hadn’t run out of highway.
The Gravity Grand Touring’s 828 hp and 909 lb-ft of torque can’t be ignored and, once more, contribute to my argument that this SUV drives like a sedan. To show round, we hit a decent u-turn to reveal the SUV’s 38-foot curb-to-curb turning radius – one other useful slight benefit Gravity has over bigger SUVs.
Nevertheless, probably the most spectacular function I discovered about Gravity is its non-obligatory air suspension package deal, which exemplifies the “all-in-one” design package deal I’ve described. The Grand Touring I drove was geared up with Lucid’s multi-chamber spring air suspension, which can’t solely increase the SUV to various heights however you may also regulate its stiffness to ship three totally different sensations, whether or not it’s a plush and clean journey in “Easy” mode, a sportier extra Porsche-like really feel in “Swift” mode, or a track-friendly “Dash” mode that rides similar to an Aston Martin DBX 707.
With the air suspension, Lucid can also be working to ship a “Terrain Mode” that can roll out as a software program replace to take the Gravity off-road. Derek Jenkins instructed me it received’t allow you to drive up Moab, however it should provide aggressive off-road capabilities within the SUV section. Versatility is the nucleus of this EV, in my view.
As a result of I used to be in a pre-production mannequin, the UX of Gravity wasn’t all there, however Lucid is trying to ship what it referred to as “UX 3.0,” which ought to (hopefully) remedy most of the bugs that popped up by means of the manufacturing of the Air sedan. I definitely hope so as a result of the dearth of premium, reliable software program appears like the one issue holding Lucid again from being the most effective within the enterprise in most EV classes.
The one final little tidbit I seen is that Gravity’s passenger doorways open a full 90 levels to assist dad and mom entry automotive seats and furry associates extra simply. This is a superb concept that many shoppers will love, however in all probability extra within the consolation of their very own driveway. The rear doorways are fairly lengthy and, when totally open, would undoubtedly clang up towards a automobile within the spot subsequent to them. It’s not best for parking heaps, but it surely’s a welcomed function nonetheless.
Total, the Gravity SUV is a slam dunk of an EV if in case you have the cash to purchase one. Lucid continues to steer the business in vary and effectivity with Gravity and is even taking a few of these design classes and modular enhancements and circling them again into future fashions of the Air sedan. I’m positive we are going to see many of those design components in “Mid-size” as nicely, so I’ll repurpose my Gravity countdown clock for that subsequent mannequin.
Within the meantime, I’m trying ahead to a extra prolonged drive expertise with Gravity and can share extra ideas on my expertise after that. For those who dwell close to a Lucid showroom, I like to recommend stopping in and seeing if they’ve the SUV on show but so you may discover all of the little particulars that went into making an SUV that appears to certainly “compromise nothing…” besides perhaps a second mortgage on your home, however it could be value it.
The Lucid Gravity Grand Touring is on sale now at a beginning MSRP of $94,900. Take a look at some video footage we shot with the Lucid Gravity beneath:
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