The Audacious Allure of the Lucid Gravity: A Masterclass in Contradictions
In the rapidly accelerating landscape of 2025, where every automaker scrambles to stake its claim in the burgeoning electric vehicle market, few brands have captured the collective imagination quite like Lucid. Their latest offering, the three-row Gravity SUV, arrived with an almost mythical status, promising to redefine the luxury electric sport utility segment. Having spent countless hours behind the wheel of every significant EV to hit the market over the last decade, I approached the Gravity not just with anticipation, but with the trained eye of an industry veteran keenly aware of the promises and pitfalls of cutting-edge automotive innovation. And what I discovered was a vehicle that is, in equal measure, breathtakingly brilliant and profoundly perplexing.
The moment you encounter the Lucid Gravity, its design language speaks volumes. It’s a bold, aerodynamic sculpture that somehow manages to combine the muscularity expected of an SUV with the sleek elegance of a grand touring car. Lucid hasn’t simply slapped a larger body onto the Air sedan’s platform; they’ve meticulously evolved its design ethos for a more utilitarian purpose. From the sweeping roofline to the signature Lucid lighting elements, the Gravity looks every inch the premium EV SUV it aims to be, a veritable sustainable luxury car statement on wheels. This exterior sets a soaring expectation, hinting at a future where high-end electric SUVs are not merely practical but undeniably desirable.
However, the journey from admiring glance to actual engagement with the Gravity begins with a rather jarring reality check. In an era where seamless interaction is paramount for any luxury electric vehicle market contender, the Gravity’s basic ingress and ignition sequences are, frankly, baffling. Whether attempting to unlock the doors with the slick key card, the conventional key fob, or the integrated mobile app, consistency proved elusive. One moment, a gentle touch on the flush handle would spring the door open with futuristic grace; the next, repeated prods and pulls would yield nothing but frustration. This sporadic responsiveness is more than a minor annoyance; it erodes confidence in the vehicle’s fundamental reliability, a critical flaw for a vehicle positioned at the pinnacle of next-gen EV technology.
Once inside, the challenge continues. Convincing the Gravity to “start” is less a straightforward process and more a mysterious ritual. There’s no obvious ignition button or intuitive sequence. Instead, it feels like a complex dance with an enigmatic digital interface, where successful activation often seems to be a matter of luck rather than repeatable user action. Having observed similar teething problems with early iterations of the Lucid Air, I find it genuinely puzzling that such fundamental automotive software challenges persist years later. In a 2025 luxury EV offering, the very first touchpoints should convey effortless sophistication, not convoluted confusion.
Yet, once the initial hurdles are cleared, the Gravity begins to reveal its true genius in packaging. This is where Lucid truly demonstrates a mastery of EV architecture and intelligent space utilization. Whether configured with a generous two rows or a highly practical three, the interior volume is remarkable for a vehicle with such a relatively compact exterior footprint. Our diverse team, ranging from just over five feet to nearly seven, universally found exceptional comfort across all seating positions. The second row, in particular, offers impressive legroom and adjustability, while the third row, often an afterthought in many SUVs, provides genuinely usable space for adults on shorter journeys, or comfortably accommodates children on longer treks.
The versatility extends to cargo capacity. The generous frunk (front trunk) is a welcome addition, perfectly sized for groceries or a small carry-on. But it’s the ingenious sub-trunk beneath the main cargo floor that truly impresses, swallowing additional gear and keeping valuables out of sight. This intelligent arrangement of space underscores a deep understanding of what family EV buyers truly need, showcasing some of the most brilliant packaging I’ve witnessed in the premium EV SUV segment.
However, even within this marvel of spatial design, Lucid sometimes allows good intentions to falter in execution. The motorized second-row track, while facilitating effortless access to the third row, reveals exposed mechanisms that collect floor debris and present an unfinished aesthetic when folded. Similarly, the frosted glass center console lid, initially an elegant touch, houses a tray seemingly designed for the key fob. Yet, a simple key chain attached to the fob can cause it to jam, rendering the compartment unusable – a frustrating oversight that undermines the intended sustainable luxury materials and thoughtful design.
The steering wheel, too, embodies this duality. Its unconventional shape initially raises an eyebrow, but its ergonomic contouring feels surprisingly natural in hand, hinting at a custom, driver-centric approach. Yet, the dual control pads, critical for interacting with the vehicle’s myriad functions, feel insubstantial and plasticky, a stark contrast to the rich textures and premium finishes elsewhere in the cabin. This lack of tactile refinement on such a primary interface calls into question Lucid’s renowned attention to detail, creating a disjointed user experience (UX) that falls short of luxury electric vehicle market expectations.
Compounding these physical quirks is the digital interface itself. While the large, curved upper touchscreen is visually striking, a discernible jagged pixel edge along its top curve detracts from its premium presentation, a minor but glaring flaw in a vehicle striving for perfection. The user interface (UI), despite featuring a smattering of physical buttons—a welcome nod to practicality—presents a steep learning curve. Navigation through menus is often convoluted, and distinguishing between a feature malfunction and user error becomes a frustrating game of guesswork. In a world increasingly reliant on intuitive tech, the Gravity’s infotainment system sometimes feels more like a beta release than a polished product ready for prime time. This is a critical area for Lucid Motors to address, as an exceptional digital display resolution and seamless software are non-negotiable for high-end electric SUVs.
But then, you hit the road, and almost immediately, every prior frustration melts away. The Gravity’s electric SUV performance is nothing short of transcendent. Whether opting for the potent 600-horsepower base powertrain with its dual-chamber air suspension or stepping up to the formidable 828-horsepower, triple-chamber setup, the experience is consistently exhilarating. This isn’t just a fast SUV; it feels like a high-riding all-electric supercar. The way it harnesses its immense power, delivering instant torque with an almost unsettling smoothness, redefines what one expects from a family hauler.
Lucid has clearly engineered the Gravity for the discerning driver. The balance is exquisite, the control precise, and the power delivery relentless. It glides through corners with a poise that defies its size and weight, maintaining composure even when pushed hard. The advanced air suspension systems work in harmony, delivering a ride quality that is both sumptuously comfortable and incredibly composed, ironing out road imperfections while keeping body roll virtually nonexistent. This dynamic refinement is palpable in every driving scenario, from mundane urban commutes to spirited canyon carving. The Gravity truly drives sideways with the same beautiful precision it exhibits in a straight line, showcasing a level of EV powertrain innovation and chassis tuning that is truly world-class.
In terms of charging, the Gravity, equipped with the North American Charging Standard (NACS) port, lives up to Lucid’s reputation for rapid replenishment. It consistently ranks among the quickest-charging EVs we’ve tested, minimizing downtime and alleviating much of the typical EV range anxiety. However, like many long-range electric SUVs, its real-world range, while impressive, tends to fall slightly short of the ambitious official ratings. This discrepancy, common across the industry, is a nuanced point, but one that savvy electric vehicle market consumers are increasingly aware of.
Reflecting on the Gravity’s overall proposition, it sparks as much debate and passionate discussion as any vehicle to contend for our “SUV of the Year” honors. The sheer brilliance of its hardware—the stunning design, the ingenious packaging, the mind-bending performance, and the superb driving dynamics—is undeniable. This is a cutting-edge automotive design and engineering triumph. Yet, this praise invariably collides with pointed criticism of its software, its user interface, and the glaring inconsistencies in its basic functionality.
Ultimately, a vehicle of this ambition, one that boldly aims to lead the future of electric vehicles in the luxury electric vehicle market, must excel holistically. Its theoretical brilliance and engineering prowess, while awe-inspiring, are unfortunately undermined by practical application issues that should have been ironed out long ago. Unlike the Lucid Air, which we perhaps generously forgave for its early-production quirks, viewing it through the lens of a groundbreaking “prototype,” the Gravity arrives after four years of intensive development and several months on sale. For an automotive innovation of this caliber, such persistent flaws are simply unacceptable.
Lucid has, without a doubt, crafted a masterpiece in aluminum, steel, and lithium. It is a testament to what an EV can be: fast, incredibly comfortable, and stunning to behold. Had they dedicated the same relentless pursuit of perfection to its code and user experience, refining every digital interaction with the same precision they applied to its physical dynamics, the Gravity would not merely be a contender, but an undeniable champion. It possesses all the ingredients for greatness, yet its Achilles’ heel remains its inability to deliver a consistently polished and intuitive user experience. This isn’t just a challenge for Lucid; it’s a critical lesson for the entire premium EV SUV segment: hardware can open the door to awe, but only seamless software can truly seal the deal on luxury.
The Lucid Gravity is a magnificent paradox, a vehicle that will simultaneously thrill and exasperate. It is a bold statement, a vision of what the future of high-performance electric SUVs could be, but one that reminds us that even with boundless ambition and groundbreaking engineering, the journey to perfection is paved with the details, both seen and unseen.
Are you ready to experience the future, flaws and all, or do you demand a more seamless journey into the electric age? We invite you to delve deeper into the evolving world of luxury EVs and share your perspective.
