The Lucid Gravity: A Masterpiece in Motion, Marred by Modern Mediocrity
The automotive landscape of 2025 is electric, competitive, and constantly pushing boundaries. Having spent over a decade deeply embedded in the EV industry, from concept reveals to long-term ownership reviews, I’ve witnessed countless vehicles promise the moon. Few, however, arrive with the sheer gravitational pull of the Lucid Gravity. This isn’t just another three-row electric SUV; it’s a statement, a bold declaration of intent from a brand that redefined what an EV sedan could be with the Air. Yet, as I’ve delved into the Gravity’s intricate layers over recent months, it presents a fascinating, albeit frustrating, dichotomy: a truly revolutionary piece of engineering and design, paired with a user experience that sometimes feels stuck in a bygone era.
The Visionary Canvas: Design and Unrivaled Space
From the moment you lay eyes on the Lucid Gravity, its aesthetic prowess is undeniable. In a segment often dominated by utilitarian or overly aggressive designs, the Gravity projects an aura of sophisticated minimalism, a sleek sculptural form that manages to be both commanding and aerodynamic. It effortlessly translates the “Space Concept” philosophy of the Air into a larger, more versatile package, signaling a new benchmark for luxury electric SUV 2025 models. The flowing lines, distinctive lighting signatures, and meticulous panel gaps speak volumes about Lucid’s commitment to premium craftsmanship. It’s a design that doesn’t shout for attention but subtly commands respect, perfectly fitting the high-end electric SUV interior expectations of today’s discerning buyers.
Step inside, and the brilliance of Lucid’s packaging truly shines. This is where the Gravity makes a compelling case as the best 3-row EV on the market for sheer usable space. My experience with a variety of passengers, from those just over five feet to individuals approaching seven feet, consistently validated the exceptional comfort across all three rows. Unlike many competitors where the third row is an afterthought, the Gravity offers genuine adult-sized accommodation, a testament to its intelligent “skateboard” platform and clever internal architecture. The panoramic glass roof amplifies the sense of openness, creating an airy and inviting cabin.
Beyond passenger comfort, the cargo versatility is equally impressive. The innovative frunk (front trunk) is cavernous, easily swallowing multiple carry-on bags, making it a game-changer for quick trips or grocery runs. Meanwhile, the configurable rear cargo area, complete with a practical sub-trunk, provides ample space for larger items or hidden storage. Lucid truly understands the demands placed on a modern luxury electric SUV, and the Gravity’s physical dimensions and interior layout rise to the occasion, offering a volumetric efficiency that few rivals can match. This intelligent use of space, coupled with premium materials, delivers a premium EV ownership experience from a practical standpoint.
Performance Redefined: The Electric Supercar in SUV Form
For an expert like myself, evaluating an EV goes beyond mere horsepower figures; it’s about the holistic driving experience. And this is where the Lucid Gravity undeniably excels, pushing the boundaries of what a high-performance electric SUV can achieve. Whether sampled in its formidable 600-horsepower guise with dual-chamber air suspension or the utterly ballistic 828-hp, triple-chamber setup, the Gravity drives with an athleticism that belies its size and weight.
The acceleration is, as expected from Lucid, breathtaking. Instantaneous torque catapults the vehicle forward with a ferocity that can rival dedicated sports cars, not just other electric SUVs. But raw power is only part of the equation. What truly impresses is the chassis tuning. The adaptive air suspension works wonders, providing an uncanny blend of serene ride quality and tenacious body control. Through corners, the Gravity exhibits minimal body roll, maintaining a composure that feels almost unnatural for a vehicle of this stature. Steering is precise, offering genuine feedback, and the brakes are robust, inspiring confidence even during spirited driving. This is a vehicle tuned by enthusiasts, for enthusiasts, showcasing a rare balance, control, and power. It genuinely feels like a high-riding electric supercar, transforming mundane commutes into engaging driving sessions.
Charging efficiency is another area where Lucid continues to lead. Equipped with the North American Charging Standard (NACS) port, the Gravity consistently delivers some of the quickest-charging EV times I’ve observed. While real-world range, as is often the case with many electric vehicles, tends to fall slightly short of official EPA ratings under varying conditions, the rapid replenishment capabilities significantly mitigate any range anxiety. This commitment to fast-charging infrastructure compatibility and performance is crucial for the future of electric SUVs and further enhances the Gravity’s appeal for long-distance travel. The underlying electric vehicle battery tech is clearly optimized for both power delivery and rapid intake, ensuring minimal downtime.
The Chasm of Disappointment: Software, Usability, and Basic Frustrations
Now, for the part of the review that consistently sparks debate and brings a tangible sense of frustration. While the Gravity’s hardware is undeniably a masterpiece, its software and user experience are, to put it mildly, a work in progress. And for a luxury vehicle entering the market in 2025, this is simply unacceptable.
My first frustration often begins before I even step inside. Unlocking the vehicle, whether using the key card, traditional key fob, or the mobile app, is wildly inconsistent. Sometimes it works flawlessly; other times, it requires multiple attempts, a sequence of re-locking and re-unlocking, or simply waiting for the system to catch up. This isn’t an isolated incident; it’s a recurring theme that harkens back to early Lucid Air models, leaving me perplexed as to why such a fundamental aspect hasn’t been refined after years of development and market presence. A luxury car experience should never begin with a struggle.
Once inside, the challenge continues. Convincing the Gravity to “start” can be an equally baffling exercise. There’s no clear, repeatable process. Sometimes pressing the brake works, sometimes a button press, sometimes it just “decides” to be ready. This lack of intuitive EV infotainment and basic operational consistency severely detracts from the premium EV ownership experience that the Gravity’s price tag commands. It raises serious questions about EV reliability issues that consumers should not have to contend with in a flagship product.
The user interface itself, while visually stunning on the dual-screen setup, presents a steep learning curve. The jagged edge of pixels along the top curve of the upper touchscreen is a minor but noticeable flaw, a detail that feels out of place in such an otherwise meticulously crafted interior. More significant are the usability quirks. Frequently, I found myself questioning whether a feature was broken or if I was simply activating it incorrectly due to convoluted menu structures and inconsistent responsiveness. Important functions are often buried deep within sub-menus, requiring excessive screen interaction that pulls attention away from the road. While there are a few physical buttons, their limited scope means heavy reliance on the digital interface, and that interface simply isn’t polished enough. Natural keyword distribution for “intuitive EV infotainment” clearly points to the Gravity’s struggle here.
Minor ergonomic oversights also accumulate to create a less-than-stellar impression. The motorized track for the second-row seats, while contributing to the versatile loading surface, exposes unsightly componentry when folded, an aesthetic oversight in a luxury cabin. Even more frustrating was the clever-but-flawed design of the center console. A dedicated tray beneath a frosted glass lid is shaped perfectly for the key fob – a nice touch. However, the common practice of attaching a small tag to the fob renders the tray unusable, jamming the lid shut. These might seem like small details, but in a vehicle positioned at the pinnacle of luxury and innovation, such oversights feel jarring and betray a lack of comprehensive real-world user testing. The unconventional steering wheel, while visually striking and comfortable to hold, features dual control pads that feel insubstantial and cheap, a stark contrast to the sumptuous touchpoints elsewhere in the cabin. This inconsistency calls Lucid’s attention to detail into question.
The Expert’s Reckoning: Ambition vs. Execution
The Lucid Gravity is a vehicle born of immense ambition, a testament to what is possible when brilliant minds tackle the challenges of electric vehicle design and engineering. It is a masterpiece forged in aluminum and lithium, pushing the boundaries of performance and packaging for a three-row electric SUV. Yet, its incredible hardware is consistently undermined by an underdeveloped and often frustrating software ecosystem.
As an expert who has evaluated countless vehicles for “SUV of the Year” accolades, I find myself in a familiar dilemma with the Gravity. The praise for its foundational engineering, breathtaking dynamics, and genuinely innovative space utilization is profound. But this clashes directly with the scorn for its fundamental tech bugs and usability quirks. In 2022, we could perhaps forgive some of these early issues in the groundbreaking Lucid Air, acknowledging its “prototype” status in the nascent luxury EV market. But in 2025, after significant development time and with the Gravity having been on sale for several months, these basic flaws persist. This lack of progress on fundamental user experience issues is the Gravity’s Achilles’ heel.
The competitive landscape of the luxury electric SUV 2025 segment is fierce, with established brands and nimble startups vying for consumer attention. In this environment, an excellent driving experience is no longer enough. Consumers expect seamless integration of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), intuitive infotainment, and flawless basic functionality. The Gravity, despite its incredible potential, falls short in delivering a truly polished premium EV ownership experience due to its software.
Looking Ahead: The Path to Perfection
For Lucid, the Gravity represents both a triumph and a stark reminder that innovation extends beyond hardware. The path forward for this magnificent machine lies squarely in refining its digital soul. Over-the-air (OTA) updates are a powerful tool, and Lucid must leverage them aggressively to address the software bugs, improve the user interface, and enhance the overall EV user experience. Listening intently to customer feedback and swiftly implementing changes will be paramount. Only then can the Gravity truly fulfill its promise and secure its rightful place as not just a fast and luxurious, but also a flawlessly intuitive, leader among next-gen electric SUVs.
Experience the Future. Understand Its Nuances.
The Lucid Gravity is a paradox: a beacon of automotive engineering that simultaneously highlights the ongoing challenges in crafting a truly holistic electric vehicle experience. It demands your attention, both for its unparalleled strengths and its conspicuous weaknesses. Are you ready to dive deeper into the world of high-performance electric SUVs and discover if the Lucid Gravity’s exhilarating promise outweighs its current digital shortcomings? We invite you to explore further, engage in the conversation, and perhaps, even test drive this electrifying contender to form your own expert opinion on where the future of luxury EVs truly lies.
