If you judge an EV by the spec sheet, the 2022 Lucid Air is the car that broke the game. Up to 520 miles of EPA range, over 1,000 horsepower, and charging speeds that make a Tesla Model S look merely quick. But a decade into the EV era, you’ve probably learned that living with a car is very different from reading its numbers. This 2022 Lucid Air review looks past the headline stats to what it’s actually like to drive, charge, and own, especially now that many of these cars are entering the used market.
Why the 2022 model matters
2022 Lucid Air at a Glance
2022 Lucid Air: Key Numbers
The 2022 Lucid Air launched in several trims, Pure, Touring, Grand Touring, Grand Touring Performance and the limited Dream Edition Range and Dream Edition Performance. Output ranges from about 480 hp in the single‑motor Pure to over 1,100 hp in the Dream Edition Performance, with all but the Pure using a dual‑motor all‑wheel drive setup. Across the lineup, the Air’s calling cards are efficiency, long range, and brutal straight‑line performance.
Used-buyer sweet spot
Trims, Specs & Performance: How Fast Is the 2022 Lucid Air?
2022 Lucid Air Trim Comparison
Key performance and range figures for the major 2022 Lucid Air trims (approximate manufacturer and EPA data).
| Trim | Drivetrain | Horsepower | 0–60 mph | EPA Range (mi) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pure | RWD, single motor | 480 hp | ≈4.1 s | ≈406 |
| Touring | AWD, dual motor | 620 hp | ≈3.2 s | ≈406 |
| Grand Touring | AWD, dual motor | ≈816–819 hp | ≈3.0 s | Up to 516 |
| Grand Touring Performance | AWD, dual motor | ≈1,050 hp | ≈2.6 s | ≈446 |
| Dream Edition Range | AWD, dual motor | 933 hp | ≈2.7 s | Up to 520 |
| Dream Edition Performance | AWD, dual motor | 1,111 hp | ≈2.5 s | ≈471 |
Exact specs vary slightly by wheel size and configuration, but this table captures the broad differences among trims.
On the road, the 2022 Lucid Air delivers the kind of acceleration that makes supercars feel outmoded. Independent testing has seen 0–60 mph as quick as 2.5–2.6 seconds in Dream Edition Performance models, and about 3.0 seconds in the Grand Touring, numbers that sit squarely in Plaid territory. Even the base Pure will dust most performance sedans at a stoplight.
Strengths
- Effortless power: Instant torque at any speed, especially in dual‑motor trims.
- High-speed composure: Long wheelbase and aero focus give the Air a calm, planted feel above 70 mph.
- Strong brakes: Big vented discs and well‑tuned regen make it easy to manage this much speed.
Weaknesses
- Not a canyon carver: Steering feel is competent but light; this is a fast GT, not a track rat.
- Ride tuning: Coil‑spring suspension rides well but doesn’t quite match an S‑Class or EQS for isolation.
- Traction drama: In the most powerful trims, full‑throttle launches can overwhelm tires on anything but perfect pavement.
Performance vs. practicality
Range, Battery & Charging: Still the Range King
The 2022 Lucid Air was built by former Tesla engineers with a single objective: annihilate range anxiety. The result is a battery pack of about 112–118 kWh depending on trim, paired with ultra‑efficient motors and a sleek, low‑drag body. EPA estimates run from the mid‑400s to over 520 miles of range on a charge for the Dream Edition Range with 19‑inch wheels, still one of the longest‑range EVs ever certified.
- Real‑world highway tests of a 2022 Grand Touring have hit around 410 miles at 75 mph, an astonishing result for a large, luxury EV.
- Even the "short‑range" Grand Touring Performance still posts about 446 miles of EPA range, which would be headline‑grabbing in any other car.
- Base Pure and Touring trims sit around 406 miles, which is right in the heart of long‑range luxury EV territory.
Charging the 2022 Lucid Air
Brilliant when everything works, but network quality matters.
DC Fast Charging
The Air supports up to 300 kW peak on compatible 800‑volt chargers. In ideal conditions, Lucid claims you can add around 300 miles of range in roughly 20–21 minutes.
AC Home Charging
With a powerful onboard charger (around 19.2 kW on the right circuit), a 2022 Air can fully recharge overnight on a 240V Level 2 setup.
Network Reality
Lucid partnered with Electrify America for several years of free fast charging on 2022 models. That’s valuable, but it also means your experience will depend heavily on the reliability of third‑party stations in your area.
Home charging is non‑negotiable
Interior, Comfort & Practicality: Gorgeous, With Quirks
Open the door of a 2022 Lucid Air and you’re greeted by a bright, glassy cabin that feels more Bay Area design studio than Stuttgart boardroom. A sweeping glass cockpit display, a floating center touchscreen, and a panoramic windshield create a sense of light and space that even the Mercedes EQS struggles to match.
What Lucid nails
- Design: Clean, modern surfaces and tasteful materials, especially on Touring and above, give the Air a distinct identity versus German luxury sedans.
- Front-seat comfort: Supportive seats, excellent visibility, and a low cowl make long drives easy.
- Cargo space: With a large trunk and one of the biggest front trunks (frunks) in the segment, the Air offers surprising practicality.
Where it falls short
- Rear-seat ergonomics: Owners and reviewers note that the floor is high over the battery, so adults sit knees‑up; legroom is decent but the posture can feel awkward on long trips.
- Luxury feel: Materials are good, but some early owners say it doesn’t quite match a Mercedes S‑Class or EQS in tactile richness.
- Noise isolation: Quiet overall, but the serene design makes the occasional wind or tire noise more noticeable than in the very best German luxury sedans.
Check the back seat before you buy
Tech & Driver Assistance: Brilliant Ideas, Beta Execution
On paper, the 2022 Lucid Air is a tech showcase: dual screens, a reconfigurable lower “Pilot Panel,” advanced DreamDrive driver‑assist hardware, phone‑as‑key, app connectivity, and frequent over‑the‑air updates. In practice, early owners quickly learned that Lucid’s software ambitions were several patches ahead of its software reality.
- Owners have reported freezing center screens, requiring resets, and occasional full reboots mid‑drive.
- Early cars sometimes displayed update errors, claiming a software update had failed while simultaneously showing the car as up to date, only fixable by a service visit.
- Elements like Apple CarPlay integration, audio system stability, and the Lucid app’s impact on phone battery life have all drawn criticism from some owners as inconsistent or buggy.
- Lucid’s advanced driver‑assistance suite (DreamDrive Pro) shipped with hardware in place but features rolling out slowly, meaning a 2022 car may not yet use its full sensor array the way a Tesla or Mercedes would.
Recall & camera issues to know about
"This is the most expensive vehicle I’ve ever bought, and by far the most frustrating."
That’s the split personality of the 2022 Air in a nutshell: the engineering is world‑class, but the human‑machine interface and software stack can feel like an extended public beta. Later software updates have reportedly improved stability, but if you’re coming out of a Porsche or Lexus, the rough edges will be obvious.
Reliability & Ownership Experience: Start-Up Growing Pains
If you’re used to mature luxury brands, Lucid ownership can feel like joining an early‑access program. Some 2022 owners describe the Air as the best car they’ve ever driven, and also the most frustrating to live with.
2022 Lucid Air Ownership: The Good and the Not‑So‑Good
Real‑world pros and cons that show up after the honeymoon period.
What owners love
- Efficiency and range: Being able to drive 400+ miles on a charge and still have buffer is transformative for road trips.
- Performance: Effortless passing power and silent speed never get old.
- Design & rarity: You won’t see yourself at every stoplight the way you might in a Model S.
What owners complain about
- Software bugs: Glitchy infotainment, inconsistent app behavior, and occasional system lockups.
- Service network: Lucid’s service centers are concentrated in major metros; some cars have spent extended time in service for issues that would be a quick fix at a larger brand.
- Fit and finish: A few owners report misaligned panels, sticky charge doors, or interior rattles that feel out of place at this price.
Service access is a real consideration
Costs, Depreciation & Used Market: Opportunity and Risk
As a new car in 2022, the Lucid Air sat firmly in "dream car" territory, with many trims priced well above $100,000. Today, early depreciation and market softness in high‑end EVs mean some 2022 examples trade for a fraction of their original MSRP, especially if they have higher mileage or are in less‑desirable specs.
Where the value is
- A used 2022 Air can deliver world‑leading range and performance for the price of a well‑equipped new mid‑size luxury sedan.
- Included years of free fast charging on Electrify America (where still applicable) can offset some running costs.
- If Lucid survives and matures, early cars may get a halo effect as the "OG" models that started it all.
Where the risk lies
- Resale uncertainty: The long‑term outlook for residual values is hazy, especially if Lucid’s business trajectory wobbles.
- Out‑of‑warranty repairs: Sophisticated hardware and a small service network can make post‑warranty fixes expensive and time‑consuming.
- Insurance: Some carriers price in higher repair complexity for low‑volume EVs; get quotes before you commit.
How Recharged can de‑risk a used Lucid Air
Who the 2022 Lucid Air Is (and Isn’t) For
Is a 2022 Lucid Air Right for You?
Matching the car’s personality to your priorities.
Great for you if…
- You want maximum range and road‑trip capability without driving an SUV.
- You enjoy being an early adopter and don’t mind the occasional software quirk.
- You live reasonably close to a Lucid service center or are comfortable with mobile service arrangements.
Think twice if…
- You expect bulletproof reliability in the first few years.
- You live far from any Lucid support and can’t have long service visits.
- You’re extremely sensitive to infotainment glitches or UX oddities.
Better alternatives might be…
- Tesla Model S if you want a denser fast‑charging network and more mature software.
- Mercedes EQS if your priority is cocoon‑like comfort and build quality.
- Taycan / e‑Tron GT if driving dynamics matter more than range.
Checklist: What to Look For on a Used 2022 Lucid Air
Pre‑Purchase Checklist for a 2022 Lucid Air
1. Confirm software & recall status
Verify that all recalls and service campaigns have been completed and that the car is on the latest stable software (including fixes for rear‑view camera issues and infotainment bugs). Ask for service records.
2. Inspect screens & controls
During a long test drive, repeatedly use the center display, gauge cluster, climate controls, and steering‑wheel buttons. Watch for freezing screens, laggy responses, or non‑responsive soft keys.
3. Test every driver-assist feature
Engage adaptive cruise, lane centering, blind‑spot monitoring, parking cameras, and parking sensors. Pay attention to false alerts, delayed responses, or camera lag when shifting into reverse.
4. Check charging behavior
Fast‑charge the car at least once if you can. Confirm the Air connects reliably, ramps up power as expected, and doesn’t throw repeated charging errors. At home, verify Level 2 charging speeds and stability.
5. Evaluate ride and noise
Drive on rough pavement and at highway speeds. Listen for rattles, wind noise around the glass roof, and suspension clunks that could signal alignment or build issues.
6. Sit in every seat
Have adults try the rear seats for at least 15–20 minutes. Check comfort, headroom under the glass roof, and whether the knees‑up posture is acceptable to your household.
7. Review battery health data
Request a battery health evaluation. With Recharged, our <strong>Score Report</strong> includes pack condition, estimated degradation, and a sanity check on how the car’s been charged and driven.
8. Validate support options
Call a Lucid service center with the VIN to confirm service history and coverage. If you’re far from a facility, ask what mobile service looks like in your area and average turnaround times.
2022 Lucid Air FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2022 Lucid Air
Final Thoughts: Should You Buy a 2022 Lucid Air Today?
The 2022 Lucid Air is one of the most audacious EVs of its era: a clean‑sheet luxury sedan that can outrun supercars while going farther on a charge than almost anything else on the road. As a driving and engineering statement, it’s deeply impressive. As an appliance you depend on day in, day out, it still shows its start‑up roots, especially in software polish and service experience.
If you’re the kind of driver who loves being on the cutting edge, lives close enough to Lucid support, and values range and performance over absolute serenity, a well‑vetted 2022 Air can be a spectacular way to go electric. If, on the other hand, you simply want effortless, invisible technology and never to think about your car again, there are safer bets in the luxury EV space.
Either way, you shouldn’t have to guess. Through Recharged, you can shop used EVs, including high‑end models like the Lucid Air, with a Recharged Score Report that lays out battery health, charging history, and fair‑market pricing in plain English, plus EV‑specialist support that walks you through what ownership will really look like. That’s how a bold car like the 2022 Lucid Air goes from risky fling to informed choice.
