Initially, those innovators from the Silicon Valley startup Lucid Motors brought forth the avant-garde Air sedan, and now they aim to disrupt the electric SUV market with their sleek and highly capable Gravity model.
The second offering from this new California-based brand is further evidence that the luxury end of the SUV market is evolving.
As some well-known luxury brands remain hesitant about fully electricifying their big SUVs, Lucid anticipates that the Gravity might appeal to buyers who find high-performing vehicles like the Hyundai Ioniq 9, the Kia EV9, or the Volvo EX90 insufficiently potent.
The seven-seater will come to Europe from the US in autumn and pricing will probably start at around €130,000. The initial ticket will later fall to just under €100,000 with a slimmed-down entry-level model.
However, this isn’t merely a king-size Lucid Air featuring three rows of seating. Indeed, it’s quite large at 5.03 meters, yet it doesn’t come across as overly imposing or adorned with excessive plastic trim like some rivals in the market.
It could effortlessly be mistaken for a stylish van and appears sleek, modern, and approachable. Its design is more aerodynamic compared to most other off-road vehicles, leading Lucid to assert a range exceeding 700 kilometers based on European measurement standards.
Within, the Gravity draws you in with a display of contemporary luxury elements and an exquisite screen arrangement. The Gravity’s slender screen sits elevated, allowing all details to be seen simultaneously.
This SUV offers impressive space regardless of whether you opt for the five- or seven-seat configuration. Row two accommodates everyone comfortably, and individuals can easily sit in the third row without needing to bend their legs or worry about hitting their heads.
The seats won’t provide a massage or ventilation for your back, but they do offer heating. As the Gravity is designed as a touring vehicle, it offers generous storage space. The trunk can accommodate up to 3,200 liters, and an additional 200 liters of storage is available in the frunk located beneath the front hood.
The Genesis provides ample space along with generous roominess. The title suggests the weight that propels this vehicle forward.
The SUV weighs slightly less than three tons and offers remarkable acceleration thanks to its twin engines, which have a combined output of 609 kW / 828 hp and deliver approximately 1,200 Nm of torque.
The statistics come from the realm of sports cars. The Gravity goes from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.6 seconds and reaches a top speed of 270 km/h. This performance puts it ahead of many gasoline-powered vehicles within this category.
Despite being stationary, the Gravity surpasses its rivals due to its 123 kWh battery operating at an impressive 926 volts. Consequently, it can charge at an unprecedented rate of 400 kW, offering over 400 kilometers of range in under 15 minutes.
The significant power generated by this vehicle is managed through an efficient braking system featuring advanced energy recovery capabilities, along with adaptive air suspension for rapid adjustments and responsive handling aided by the dynamic rear axle, effectively reducing the turning radius.
If only they had installed a circular steering wheel instead of an oddly rounded square one (car experts refer to this shape as a “squircle”).
After the driver becomes accustomed to this, they will enjoy leaving the motorway behind, switching to a winding country road, and navigating through tight corners with precision.
Keep in mind, although the rear-seat occupants might initially appear calm, they could rapidly become nauseous if you navigate curves too swiftly in this large vehicle.
In terms of performance, the Lucid faces limited competition within its category due to its exceptional technology, making the Gravity a compelling choice in the luxury segment.
Nevertheless, it remains an outsider in Europe, where the company’s sales team will face an uphill battle convincing buyers to invest such a substantial amount of money in a relatively new brand’s vehicle.
