Lucid made a splash in 2022 when it released the Air sedan with big power and big prices to match. Four-figure horsepower ratings teamed with 500-plus miles of range showed EVs could be fast and efficient. Since then, power ratings and prices have come down to make the Air more accessible, but the cars are still fast and efficient.
That leads us to the 2026 Lucid Air Touring, a model that was first introduced in 2023. It’s not the least powerful Air, but it’s one step up from the base Pure model, and it shows that 1,000-plus horsepower isn’t needed to make the Air a great electric car.
The Air Touring’s dual-motor all-wheel drive electric powertrain employs a permanent magnet electric motor on each axle to produce 620 horsepower and 885 pound-feet of torque. The motors are fed by an 18-module, 92-kWh battery that provides a healthy 431 miles of range. That’s a lot smaller than the 22-module 117-kWh battery in the Grand Touring, which means less range, but it also cuts the weight by almost 200 pounds.
Maximum power is available in the Sprint mode. Put it in Sprint, floor it, and the power hits hard from a stop. Occupants’ heads snap back into the seats, all four 245/45R19 Pirelli P Zero all-season tires hook up, and the 0-60 mph dash flashes by in 3.4 seconds, only 0.4 second slower than the 819-hp Grand Touring model.
Opt for the Smooth or Swift modes and the output is limited to 347 horsepower. While the power isn’t quite as neck-snapping in these modes, it still feels quick and the instant electric torque gives it enough thrust to win stop-light drag races against the vast majority of gas-powered cars.
Lucid teams that power with excellent efficiency. With the 19s, the EPA rates the Air Touring at 136 MPGe city, 132 highway, 134 combined for an efficiency of 4.0 mi/kWh. That makes it one of the most efficient electric vehicles on the market, and the Pure can be even thriftier with a rating a 4.34 mi/kWh.
Snow and sub-freezing temperatures hurt the efficiency during my week with the Air Touring, as they would for any electric vehicle, or any gas-powered vehicle for that matter. The computer showed a top range of 390 miles, though the cold weather caused those miles to drain quickly. Over 209 miles of mixed city and highway driving, I averaged 2.85 mi/kWh.
With its 700-volt electrical architecture, the Air Touring can accept a DC fast charge at up to 250 kW, which can add 200 miles of charge in 16 minutes. A 240-volt outlet can charge it to full in 10 hours.
Off, Standard, and High regenerative braking modes recover energy for the battery. The High mode provides 0.3 g of braking force and acts as a one-pedal mode much of the time. I alternated between the Off and High modes, finding both appealing depending on my mindset in the moment.
At 5,009 pounds, the Air Touring is heavier than a comparable gas-powered car but on the light side for an EV. Lucid harnesses that mass with a set of big brakes: 15.0-inch ventilated front rotors with six-piston calipers and 14.8-inch ventilated rear rotors with four-piston calipers. The hand-off from regen to the friction brakes is seamless.
The only fancy bit of suspension technology Lucid employs is a set of adaptive dampers. The rest of the suspension is left up to good ol’ fashioned knowhow, and the engineers at Lucid certainly know how to build a car with a fantastic balance of ride quality and handling prowess. It’s set on a double-wishbone front suspension and a multi-link independent rear suspension, and it’s all tuned to deliver a smooth, luxurious ride and agile handling.
From the driver’s seat, the Air Touring feels wide and low. Well-weighted steering with a quick 13.0:1 ratio directs it to dive into corners responsively. Thanks in part to a low-set 4.9 inches of ground clearance and the low center of gravity of the battery, the Air has precious little body lean, and the all-season tires do a reasonable job of sticking to the pavement in hard cornering. Those who want a sportier feel can opt for staggered 20-inch Michelin summer performance tires that will also sap some range.
The driver enjoys not only good road feel, but also a high-tech cabin dressed in high-quality materials. Sturdy synthetic leather upholstery comes standard, and the real thing is a $3,000 option. Also standard are power-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 middle, and a left-side touch panel for the wipers, exterior lighting, the defroster, and other controls. The center stack features a 12.5-inch touchscreen that is home to the drive modes, mirror and steering wheel controls, and trip computer information, among other functions. Digging into the screen for the mirrors 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 offer a cabin that extends farther forward and rearward than you’ll find in ICE-powered cars. Three can sit across in back seat with plentiful legroom, and that’s only enhanced in the Touring model because the smaller battery lowers the rear floor for better thigh support. The trunk is large with 22.1 cubic feet of space and a 10-cubic foot front trunk adds even more utility.
My test car ran to a price of $100,350 thanks an $81,499 starting price (including a $1,500 destination charge) and several options that added luxury and technology features. Among them were a $2,900 21-speaker Surreal Sound Pro audio system, 20-way power-adjustable front seats with massage and ventilation for $3,750, and $3,000 for a Comfort & Convenience package with soft-close doors, a power frunk, 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 provides hands-free highway driving that works quite well.
Priced right, the Touring model is the smart choice in the Air lineup. It costs $9,000 more than the Pure but it adds 200 horsepower and all-wheel drive. It’s also a whopping $34,000 less than the Grand Touring model, which has more power and a few extra features. Its starting price is also about $28,000 less than when the Touring went on sale in 2023.
The Touring is more than just the Air model to choose. Fast, efficient, and fun to drive, the 2026 Lucid Air Touring is a great choice among all EVs thanks to the company’s knowhow in electric powertrains, suspension tuning, interior space, and technology.
Images: Lucid Motors
