Lucid made a splash in 2022 when it launched the Air sedan with big performance and correspondingly high prices. Four-digit horsepower coupled with a range of over 500 miles showed that electric vehicles can be fast and efficient. Since then, performance ratings and prices have been reduced to make the Air more accessible, but the cars are still fast and efficient.
That brings us to the Lucid Air Touring 2026, a model that was first introduced in 2023. It’s not the least powerful Air, but it beats the base model Pure by a notch and shows that no more than 1,000 horsepower is needed to make the Air a great electric car.
The Air Touring’s dual-motor electric all-wheel drivetrain uses a permanent-magnet electric motor on each axle to produce 620 horsepower and 885 pound-feet of torque. The motors are powered by an 18-module 92 kWh battery, which offers a range of a whopping 700 kilometers. That’s much smaller than the 117-kWh, 22-module battery in the Grand Touring, meaning less range but also cutting weight by nearly 200 pounds.
Maximum power is available in sprint mode. Switch on the sprint, accelerate, and the power unfolds from a standstill. The occupants’ heads snap back into the seats, all four 245/45R19 Pirelli P Zero all-season tires fit together, and the 0-60 mph sprint accelerates in 3.4 seconds, just 0.4 seconds slower than the 819-hp Grand Touring model.
Opt for Smooth or Swift mode and power is limited to 347 hp. While the power isn’t quite as mind-blowing in these modes, it still feels quick and the instant electric torque gives it enough boost to win stoplight drag races against the vast majority of petrol-powered cars.
Lucid combines performance with outstanding efficiency. For the ’19, the EPA rates the Air Touring at 136 MPGe in the city, 132 on the highway and 134 combined for an efficiency of 4.0 mi/kWh. This makes it one of the most efficient electric vehicles on the market, and the Pure can be even more economical with an output of 7.9 km/kWh.
Snow and freezing temperatures affected efficiency during my week with the Air Touring, as it would with any electric vehicle, or any gasoline-powered vehicle for that matter. The computer indicated a maximum range of 390 miles, although the cold weather caused those miles to quickly be used up. In 209 miles of mixed city and highway driving, I averaged 2.85 miles/kWh.
With its 700-volt electrical architecture, the Air Touring can accommodate DC fast charging of up to 250 kW, providing 200 miles of charging in 16 minutes. It can be fully charged in 10 hours using a 240-volt outlet.
Off, Standard and High regenerative braking modes recover energy for the battery. High mode provides 0.3g braking force and acts as a one-pedal mode most of the time. I switched between Off and High modes and found both appealing depending on my current setting.
At 5,009 pounds, the Air Touring is heavier than a comparable gasoline-powered car, but rather light for an electric vehicle. Lucid takes advantage of that mass with a set of big brakes: 15.0-inch ventilated front brake discs with six-piston calipers and 14.8-inch ventilated rear brake discs with four-piston calipers. The transfer from recuperation to the friction brakes is seamless.
The only fancy suspension technology Lucid employs is a set of adaptive dampers. The rest of the suspension is left to tried-and-true know-how, and Lucid’s engineers certainly know how to build a car with a fantastic balance of ride quality and handling capabilities. It’s based on a double wishbone front suspension and a multi-link independent rear suspension, all tuned to ensure a smooth, luxurious ride and agile handling.
From the driver’s seat, the Air Touring feels wide and low. Well-balanced steering with a quick 13.0:1 gear ratio ensures it dives into corners responsively. Thanks in part to a low 4.9 inches of ground clearance and the battery’s low center of gravity, the Air has extremely low body roll, and the all-season tires grip the asphalt well during hard cornering. If you like something sportier, you can choose staggered 20-inch Michelin summer performance tires, which also save a bit on range.
The driver not only enjoys a good driving experience, but also a high-tech cabin made of high-quality materials. Robust leatherette upholstery comes standard, but there’s a $3,000 option for the original. Also standard are electrically adjustable, heated front seats and three-zone automatic climate control.
Interior tech starts with a standard 34-inch screen with an infotainment touchscreen on the right, a digital instrument cluster in the center and a left touch panel for the wipers, exterior lights, defroster and other controls. The center console has a 12.5-inch touchscreen that houses, among other things, driving modes, mirror and steering wheel controls, and on-board computer information. Searching the screen for the mirror and steering wheel settings proved annoying until I got used to the idea.
Space is generous, as the Air takes advantage of its skateboard-style EV platform to provide a cabin that extends further fore and aft than you’ll find in internal combustion engine cars. Three people can sit across the back seat with plenty of legroom, and that’s only increased in the Touring model because the smaller battery lowers the rear floor to provide better thigh support. Trunk space is large at 22.1 cubic feet, and a 10-cubic-foot front trunk adds even more utility.
My test car cost $100,350, thanks to a starting price of $81,499 (including a $1,500 destination charge) and several options that offered additional luxury and technology features. These included a 21-speaker Surreal Sound Pro audio system for $2,900, 20-way power front seats with massage and ventilation for $3,750, and $3,000 for a Comfort and Convenience package with soft-close doors, a power trunk, four-zone automatic climate control, a heated steering wheel and heated rear seats. My car also came with the $6,750 DreamDrive Pro system, which allows hands-free highway driving and works quite well.
At the right price, the Touring model is the smart choice in the Air range. It costs $9,000 more than the Pure but adds 200 horsepower and all-wheel drive. Plus, it costs a whopping $34,000 less than the Grand Touring model, which has more power and a few additional features. The starting price is also around $28,000 less than the price when the Touring was launched in 2023.
The Touring is more than just your Air model of choice. Fast, efficient and fun to drive, the 2026 Lucid Air Touring is a strong choice among all electric vehicles thanks to the company’s expertise in electric powertrains, suspension tuning, interior space and technology.
Images: Lucid Motors
