2026 Lucid Air Touring Review: Reexperiencing the Model S Era, but Positively

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      Whenever I get behind the wheel of an electric car, I engage in a bit of a personal struggle focused on that accelerator pedal. Should I fully immerse myself in the one-pedal driving experience, despite it clashing with the instincts I've developed over 16 years of driving, or should I yield to those habits, even if it means the car becomes slightly less efficient? Most of the time, I end up giving in. However, the Lucid Air is a vehicle that encourages me to change my ways.

      I believe that's due to its strong identity and a plethora of thoughtful features. Its design is stunning, it boasts an incredible amount of interior space, and the trunk is cleverly crafted for easy loading. It has my favorite car screen I've encountered this year. Getting into this car, you don't immediately resent its differences; instead, you want to give it a chance because it makes such a remarkable initial impression. Luckily, it mostly continues to impress from there.

      Adam Ismail

      The Essentials

      What you see here is the Lucid Air Touring, the second tier in the lineup that ranges from the rear-wheel-drive $72,400 Pure to the extravagant $250,500 Sapphire. In comparison to the Pure, the Touring features an additional motor for all-wheel drive, a combined output of 620 horsepower and 885 lb-ft of torque, a powered front trunk, and a 700-volt electrical system for quicker charging.

      The starting price for the Touring is $81,400, but this model included several options. Its Mojave PurLuxe “leather alternative” interior is the same as the Pure's, but it features 20-way adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage functions; Lucid’s 21-speaker Surreal Sound Pro audio system; a comfort and convenience package with a touchscreen for backseat passengers and soft-close doors; plus the supposedly future-proof DreamDrive Pro ADAS hardware.

      Adam Ismail

      The total MSRP was $102,000, which, let's be honest, is quite a sum. Personally, I would opt out of DreamDrive (a $6,750 option) but would keep the sound system and seats. I would also select a different interior color because, while the quality and materials in this Mojave-trimmed example were excellent, gray-on-gray feels a bit dull.

      The Touring is rated by the EPA to cover up to 431 miles on its 92-kWh battery pack with 19-inch wheels, as featured on my loaner vehicle. This is an increase of 25 miles from the 2025 model. It can also charge at a maximum of 250 kW, but I couldn’t test that extensively; the charger I used was theoretically capable of 240 kW peak output, but it only reached about half of that, letting me replenish roughly 80 percent of the battery in an hour. Lucid also thoughtfully provided a CCS-to-NACS adapter, but I didn’t end up using it for reasons I'll explain later. Although the Gravity SUV has been released with NACS, the 2026 Air still utilizes a CCS port.

      Pros and Cons

      I must reiterate that everything about the Lucid Air’s design is familiar, but I'll say it nonetheless: This may be the most aesthetically pleasing car on the road. The sedan's exterior hasn't altered for 2026, and I'm completely fine with that; it’s hard to improve upon perfection.

      I constantly admire how the rear window meets the C-pillar and aligns with the trunk seam. I appreciate how the sedan’s side and the front bumper gently curve inward, with no unnecessary creases or vents. Every aspect of the Air’s design feels exquisite and deliberate. My only small critique regarding this particular model is that it featured the Stealth package, which replaces the usual tasteful chrome and aluminum details with unremarkable black accents.

      Adam Ismail

      This admiration extended to the interior, which, despite some somewhat underwhelming colors, is a wonderful space. I’m particularly fond of the fabric at the edge of the dashboard and how the heather gray contrasts with the wood grain on the lower shelf. While physical controls are minimal, Lucid seems to recognize the importance of a solid knurled scroll wheel, as the Air includes two on the steering wheel and one beneath the upper infotainment screen for volume. Temperature and fan-speed controls remain as toggles, allowing both driver and passenger to avoid fiddling with the lower screen if they prefer.

      As for that lower screen: I’m not a fan, but it’s not the worst thing ever. I do find it a bit frustrating that essential functions like the drive mode selector are only accessible through that screen. I’d prefer to have key information displayed higher up and closer to my line of sight. However, Lucid’s user interface is relatively