The 2023 Lucid Air is the electric sedan that turned range into a flex. In an era when 300 miles is “good enough,” Lucid shows up with an EPA-estimated up to 516 miles of range and styling that makes a Tesla Model S look like it’s still on beta software. But if you’re cross-shopping or thinking about a 2023 Lucid Air on the used market, you need more than superlatives, you need to know what it’s actually like to live with, charge, and pay for this car over time.
What this 2023 Lucid Air review covers
2023 Lucid Air at a Glance
2023 Lucid Air Key Numbers
The 2023 Lucid Air lineup is a study in escalation. At the base, the Air Pure gave you dual-motor all-wheel drive, a 92 kWh pack, and over 400 miles of range. Climb the ladder to Touring and Grand Touring and you’re into 600–800+ horsepower and up to 516 miles of EPA-rated range. The now-legendary Grand Touring Performance pushed power past 1,000 hp while still offering 446 miles of range, numbers that were science fiction just a few years earlier.
Think in trims, not just range
Trims, Pricing & Which 2023 Lucid Air to Buy
2023 Lucid Air Trims & Key Specs
Approximate 2023 model-year specs based on widely reported data. Individual vehicles may vary by wheels, options, and later software updates.
| Trim | Drivetrain | Battery | EPA Range (best case) | 0–60 mph (approx.) | Original Starting MSRP* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pure AWD | AWD | ~92 kWh | 410 mi | 3.8 sec | ~$83,900 |
| Touring | AWD | ~92 kWh | 425 mi | 3.4 sec | ~$96,500 |
| Grand Touring | AWD | ~112 kWh | 516 mi | 3.0 sec | ~$126,500 |
| Grand Touring Performance | AWD | ~118 kWh | 446 mi | 2.6 sec | ~$180,650 |
Lucid continually tweaks equipment and pricing, so verify specifics on the exact car you’re considering, especially on the used market.
Pricing moves fast
Which 2023 Lucid Air Trim Fits You?
All fast, all long-range, but with very different personalities.
Air Pure AWD
Best for: Value-focused range hunters.
- Dual-motor AWD, big range, lower entry price.
- Less standard luxury kit, simpler spec.
- Ideal if you road-trip often but don’t need max power.
Air Touring
Best for: Everyday luxury with punch.
- 620-ish hp and over 400 miles of range.
- Lots of comfort features; glass canopy optional.
- Sweet spot for most buyers and used shoppers.
Grand Touring / Performance
Best for: The statement car.
- Up to 516 miles of range and 819–1,050 hp.
- Massive acceleration, max features, and price to match.
- Overkill unless you regularly exploit the performance.
Range and Efficiency: Where the Lucid Air Still Dominates
Range is the Lucid Air’s calling card. In 2023, the Grand Touring on 19-inch wheels carried an EPA estimate of about 516 miles. Even the “shortest” 2023 variants, like Grand Touring Performance on 21s, were still rated around 446 miles, territory where most competitors are out of breath by 320.
- Air Pure AWD: up to roughly 410 miles EPA-rated range with 19-inch wheels.
- Air Touring: up to about 425 miles EPA-rated range in its most efficient spec.
- Air Grand Touring: the range hero at up to 516 miles with 19-inch wheels.
- Grand Touring Performance: 446 miles of EPA-rated range despite four-digit horsepower.
Real-world vs. EPA range
How it stacks up to rivals
- Tesla Model S Long Range was EPA-rated around the high-300s to low-400s miles.
- Mercedes EQS hovered significantly lower in U.S. EPA metrics despite large batteries.
- The Lucid Air’s efficiency (miles per kWh) remains among the best in the business.
Battery & architecture
- Roughly 92 kWh (Pure/Touring) or 112–118 kWh (Grand Touring models).
- Ultra-high-voltage architecture (around 900+ volts) reduces heat and losses at high charge rates.
- Smart thermal management allows impressive efficiency in a very quick, very heavy sedan.
Buying used? Check for tire choice
Charging Experience: On Paper vs. Real Life
On a spec sheet, the 2023 Lucid Air is a charging monster. All trims come with a robust onboard AC charger (up to roughly 19–22 kW on the right circuit) and DC fast-charging rates of up to 250 kW (Pure/Touring) or 300 kW (Grand Touring models) when the stars align, charger, temperature, and state of charge.
Charging the 2023 Lucid Air in Real Life
1. Home Level 2 charging
On a strong 240V circuit, especially with Lucid’s higher-amperage wall unit, you can add on the order of 30–80 miles of range per hour, depending on amperage and trim. For most owners, an overnight plug-in easily covers a heavy commute and more.
2. DC fast charging in ideal conditions
Find a healthy 250–350 kW DC fast charger, arrive with a warm battery around 10–20%, and the Air can add hundreds of miles in roughly 20–30 minutes. Lucid has advertised around 300 miles in about 20 minutes under optimal circumstances.
3. DC fast charging in typical conditions
Cold weather, crowded or underperforming chargers, and a non-preconditioned battery can drop those peak speeds significantly. Some independent tests have seen peaks well below the theoretical max when conditions weren’t perfect.
4. Using Tesla Superchargers via adapter
Lucid sells a NACS-to-CCS adapter that lets Air owners charge at many Tesla Superchargers. Because Tesla’s current network is largely 400V, you won’t see Lucid’s headline 250–300 kW speeds; think more in terms of up to ~50 kW and a helpful backup, not your primary fast-charge solution.
5. Plug & Charge convenience
The Air supports Plug & Charge with compatible networks, so you can simply plug in and let the car handle authentication and billing, one of those quietly luxurious touches that matters on a long trip.
Fast charging isn’t always fast
Performance and Driving Experience
Let’s get this out of the way: the 2023 Lucid Air is violently quick, even in trims that are allegedly sensible. The Pure and Touring put you in the mid-3-second 0–60 mph bracket, already “kids screaming in the back seat” fast. Step up to Grand Touring Performance and you’re flirting with 2.6 seconds to 60 mph, in a car with a trunk and a warranty.
How the 2023 Lucid Air Drives
Luxury first, performance on demand.
Ride & handling
Air feels more like a long-haul GT than a track toy. It’s stable, planted, and quiet, but you feel the car’s size on tight city streets. Adaptive dampers help juggle comfort and control, especially on larger wheels.
Noise & refinement
The cabin is impressively hushed at highway speeds, especially on 19- or 20-inch wheels. The aero-focused shape and careful sealing pay off here.
Everyday drivability
One-pedal driving is well tuned, steering is light but accurate, and the car shrinks around you once you’ve adapted to the footprint. It’s an easy daily if your parking situation can handle the size.
Test-drive different wheel sizes
Interior, Comfort & Tech: Lounge Meets Learning Curve
Inside, the 2023 Lucid Air channels a California design studio more than a German boardroom. Thin pillars and a low cowl give you a panoramic view out. Materials, particularly in Touring and Grand Touring trims, look and feel appropriately expensive, with tasteful wood, Alcantara, and leather or high-quality substitutes.
- Spacious first row with excellent visibility and supportive seats.
- Generous rear legroom, though the optional glass canopy can let in more heat and light than some passengers prefer.
- A large central touchscreen plus a lower “pilot panel,” with physical toggles kept to a stylish minimum.
- Lucid’s DreamDrive driver-assistance suite, plus expected tech like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto via software updates.
The software learning curve
Family & daily use
- Big trunk plus front trunk (frunk) make it genuinely practical.
- Available rear sunshades and climate controls help keep kids comfortable.
- Seat comfort is excellent for long trips; the car feels built for Interstate miles.
Quirks to be aware of
- Minimal physical buttons means you’ll be in screens for basics at first.
- Glass canopy can be polarizing in sunny climates, check for effective tint and shades.
- Some owners report occasional infotainment or camera glitches, often addressed via OTA updates or recalls.
Safety, Reliability & Recalls
Any new automaker has to earn trust the hard way, and Lucid is no exception. The 2023 Air brings a full suite of modern safety kit, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, adaptive cruise, and an advanced airbag and crash structure. Independent crash-test data is still more limited than for mass-market sedans, but early results and engineering details are encouraging.
Reliability: promising, but not bulletproof
- Multiple recalls since launch, including issues related to displays, high-voltage components, and rear-view camera behavior in some cars.
- Many fixes can be applied via over-the-air software updates, but some require physical service visits.
- Because the Air is packed with advanced hardware and software, small glitches are more common than in a 10-year-old Corolla. The flip side: issues can often be addressed without a dealer appointment.
Used buyer checklist: safety & software
Is the 2023 Lucid Air a Smart Used EV Buy?
If you’re in the used market, the 2023 Lucid Air is one of the most compelling ways to get staggering range and performance for far less than new-car money. Depreciation has done what depreciation always does with six-figure luxury sedans, and that can work in your favor if you shop carefully.
2023 Lucid Air as a Used EV: Pros & Cons
What you gain, and what you take on, when you buy this car pre-owned.
Major advantages
- World-beating range that makes road-trip planning easier than almost any other EV.
- Huge performance and luxury-car road manners in every trim.
- Modern battery tech with an 8-year/100,000-mile battery warranty from new (check remaining coverage).
- Rapid-charging capability that will only get more useful as infrastructure improves.
Key risks to manage
- Startup brand risk: Lucid is still building out its service network and long-term track record.
- Software maturity: Ongoing OTA updates are good, but you want a car that’s been kept current.
- High repair costs: Out-of-warranty fixes on advanced components can be expensive.
- Wheel & tire costs: 21-inch packages look great, but can be costly and range-hungry.
Used 2023 Lucid Air Shopping Checklist
1. Verify battery health and remaining warranty
Ask for a recent battery health report and confirm in-service date so you know how much of the original 8-year/100,000-mile battery warranty remains. At Recharged, our Recharged Score includes battery diagnostics so you’re not guessing.
2. Confirm software version and OTA history
Make sure the car has received major over-the-air updates and is on a current software build. This can dramatically improve reliability, charging behavior, and infotainment performance.
3. Check for open recalls and service records
Use the VIN to look up recalls and ask for documentation of completed campaigns and repairs. Pay special attention to any work related to cameras, high-voltage components, or screens.
4. Inspect wheels, tires, and brakes
On high-power EVs, consumables matter. Check tread depth, tire age, and for any curb rash on large wheels. Budget for higher replacement costs, especially on 21-inch setups.
5. Test driver-assistance and cameras thoroughly
On a test drive, exercise adaptive cruise, lane-keeping, parking cameras, and parking sensors. Watch for laggy or blank screens, misaligned graphics, or warning lights.
6. Evaluate charging behavior
If possible, plug into a Level 2 and, ideally, a DC fast charger before purchase. Confirm that the car connects reliably, charges at expected speeds for conditions, and doesn’t throw fault codes.
How Recharged Can Help if You’re Considering a Lucid Air
Shopping a 2023 Lucid Air isn’t like buying a used compact SUV. You’re dealing with bleeding-edge battery tech, ultra-high-voltage charging hardware, and a young automaker still writing its own story. That’s where having more than just a CARFAX report matters.
Buying a Used Lucid Air Through Recharged
More transparency, fewer surprises.
Recharged Score battery diagnostics
Every EV we sell includes a Recharged Score that measures real battery health, charging behavior, and overall condition. On a high-end car like the Lucid Air, that insight is invaluable.
Financing & trade‑in support
We can help you structure financing on a used Lucid Air and evaluate your trade-in, so you’re not juggling multiple dealers and online offers.
Nationwide delivery & EV‑specialist support
Browse and buy entirely online, lean on our EV specialists for trim and charging guidance, and have the car delivered to your door, or visit our Experience Center in Richmond, VA.
Why this matters for a 2023 Lucid Air
2023 Lucid Air FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2023 Lucid Air
Bottom Line: Who Should Actually Buy a 2023 Lucid Air?
The 2023 Lucid Air is what happens when a group of engineers decides the future shouldn’t have range anxiety. It’s overachieving, occasionally dramatic, and still finding its footing as a long-term ownership proposition, but as a piece of EV engineering, it’s spectacular.
You should put the 2023 Lucid Air on your shortlist if you want the longest-range electric sedan you can buy, appreciate modern design and quiet highway composure, and are comfortable living with a high-tech car from a young brand. If you’d rather trade a bit of range and theater for maximum service coverage and a rock-solid charging ecosystem, a Tesla Model S or Mercedes EQS may suit you better.
If you’re considering a 2023 Air on the used market, the play is simple: verify battery health, software status, and recall history, and don’t buy on looks and range alone. A platform like Recharged, where every vehicle includes a Recharged Score report and EV-specialist support, can help you enjoy the Lucid’s strengths while keeping its risks in check.
