Lucid’s decision to debut with an all-electric sedan in an SUV-crazed market surprised many analysts — and potential buyers. Now, the California-based startup is set to go after the heart of today’s market with its first SUV, the 2024 Lucid Gravity.
Even as start-up Lucid continues the rollout of its first all-electric model, the Air sedan, It’s taking a bit of a turn with its second offering. The 2024 Lucid Gravity SUV will follow the sedan’s lead, offering extended range and high performance. It also has seating for up to seven passengers.
Making its debut at this year’s Los Angeles Auto Show, the Lucid Gravity takes aim at the premium luxury market. It’s targeting all-electric products like the Tesla Model X and the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV. It’s also got eyes on more conventional, gas-powered offerings such as Mercedes’ GLS and the Land Rover Range Rover.
Set to reach showrooms in 2024, the Lucid Gravity will share the same underpinnings as the Lucid Air sedan, but offer significantly more interior and cargo space, along with seating for up to seven.
2024 Lucid Gravity: ‘A Supercar in Disguise’
“It is both a supercar in disguise and an SUV with flexible passenger and cargo space that seems impossibly big relative to the exterior size of the vehicle,” said Derek Jenkins, Lucid’s Senior Vice President of Design. “And it does this all with Lucid’s distinctive post-luxury design, inspired by California.”
The Lucid Gravity will make its public debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show that kicks off this week, alongside various versions of the Air sedan. The four-door model went on sale nearly a year ago in its most exclusive “Dream” trim, which can cost up to $215,000 fully loaded.
Lucid has been expanding the lineup with somewhat more affordable entries, including the Air Pure and Air Touring models. The Pure is expected to start at around $89,000. That’s about $20,000 more than the EV startup originally signaled back in 2020.
The new Gravity pricing has not been announced, though it’s expected to carry a premium compared to the Air sedan, much as Tesla did when it followed the original Model S with the Model X.
Lucid Gravity SUV: Performance, Range, and Handling
The 2024 Lucid Gravity will share the basic skateboard-like platform used for the Air, with modifications to handle its added weight. Lucid plans to provide the new SUV with at least some modest off-road capabilities. But it’s not expected to be as rugged as the Rivian R1S — another new all-electric SUV.
Lucid’s batteries and motors are both developed in-house. They will have a low center of gravity and be mounted below the SUV’s load floor. That should enhance handling and stability. Specs have yet to be confirmed. The automaker has broadly hinted that Gravity could come in with industry-leading performance and range.
The upcoming Air Sapphire edition is expected to hit 60 in under 2 seconds. And the Air Dream Range package is EPA-rated at 520 miles per charge. The added mass and poorer aerodynamics of an SUV will take a toll on those numbers.
While details are few, Lucid officials said Gravity will have multiple seating configurations for five, six, or seven “adult” passengers. Like the sedan, it will offer class-above interior space compared with the size of its exterior by repurposing space traditionally used for an engine compartment.
High-Tech Glass Cockpit
As with the Air model, Gravity will rely on only a handful of conventional controls. Most vehicle functions will be operated using an updated version of the sedan’s Glass Cockpit displays. A small touchscreen to the left of the steering wheel controls basic functions, such as headlights and wipers.
Gauges are displayed on a digital screen visible through the steering wheel. Twin touchscreens dominate the center stack. This virtually controls all other vehicle functions, from audio to navigation, and even the side view mirrors and steering wheel.
The 2024 Lucid Gravity will also have an all-glass roof, whereas the Air sedan has a half-glass roof.
“Just as Lucid Air redefined the sedan category, so too will Gravity impact the world of luxury SUVs, setting new benchmarks across the board,” boasted Lucid CEO Peter Rawlinson in an advance news release.
Rawlinson previously served as chief engineer at Tesla and gets much of the credit for developing that automaker’s original Model S. In interviews with GearJunkie, he has suggested his goal is to beat Tesla at its own game. How? By adding more features, a more luxurious cabin, and better range and performance.
Lucid Production Problems
The Lucid Air has received widespread praise. But the company has been struggling financially, posting significant losses for the third quarter of 2022.
Its challenge appears to be in boosting production to meet the orders it has in hand. Rawlinson has promised that factory output will accelerate sharply in 2023.
When Can We See the 2024 Lucid Gravity?
Potential buyers will have a chance to begin placing orders for the Lucid Gravity in early 2023, the automaker said. Deliveries are scheduled for the first quarter of 2024.
Like the Air sedan, the all-electric Gravity SUV will be produced at the automaker’s assembly plant in Casa Grande, Ariz.
