2023 Los Angeles Auto Show: Best in Show
It’s no secret we’re big fans of the Lucid Air sedan; it represents a stunning engineering achievement in efficiency, aerodynamics and electric powertrains all wrapped up in a sexy body draped over a gorgeous, luxurious interior. How could Lucid improve on that? Well, following up with an SUV would be a good idea, and that’s exactly what the electric automaker has done with the new 2025 Gravity. With production starting in late 2024, the Gravity will be Lucid’s second model, but it might just be its more popular one. Unveiled at the 2023 Los Angeles Auto Show, the stunning new Gravity SUV represents the startup brand building on its current model, but its combination of exceptional style, excellent packaging and additional utility mean it has a lot of potential to really bring in even more customers to Lucid.
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Why It Won
First, check out that styling. The Gravity reportedly has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of 0.24, which is extremely slippery for an SUV, but it’s a hallmark of Lucid design that aerodynamics are of utmost importance for efficiency. The Gravity’s shape isn’t really as comparable to a minivan as the photos would suggest. It’s low, very low, with a roofline that doesn’t seem too much higher than the Air sedan’s, making this more of a crossover-style wagon than a proper upright two-box SUV like a Mercedes-EQ EQS SUV or BMW iX.
That sleekness can happen because of Lucid’s exceptional engineering and packaging design: Its components, like its drive motors and electronics, are next-generation stuff and are significantly smaller and lighter than most competitors’ equipment. It’s also a three-row SUV, one of the most popular classes on the market right now — although the third row might be best sized for kids given the limited legroom (the Gravity is a mid-size SUV).
The Gravity features Lucid’s next-iteration electric powertrain, according to the company, with more than 440 miles of anticipated electric range and some stellar performance numbers. How does 0-60 mph in less than 3.5 seconds sound? If it features a powertrain and battery pack even close to the Air sedan, a lot less than 3.5 seconds isn’t out of the question. The Gravity has a 900-volt electrical system, which theoretically means that it can charge extremely quickly; the company claims it will add 200 miles of range in about 15 minutes on the right DC fast charger. One bit of kit the Gravity offers that the Air doesn’t is an air suspension that raises the SUV for off-road duty or lowers it for improved highway aerodynamic efficiency.
But the interior is what seals the deal for the Gravity. It features an evolution of the Air’s cockpit that combines the stunning 34-inch continuous display across the dash with an additional large touchscreen on the center console. Combined with an interior resplendent in fine materials and styled with influence from midcentury modern furniture, it conveys luxury and premium quality without the weirdness seen in a lot of competitors’ luxury EVs. That this level of sophistication, premium quality and just plain excellent design can come from a startup automaker deserves all the recognition it can get.
That’s why we have named the 2025 Lucid Gravity electric luxury SUV as our 2023 L.A. Auto Show Best in Show award winner.
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- Lucid Jumps on the Tesla EV Charging Standard Bandwagon
- Lucid Gravity Comes From a Solid Foundation, Will Debut in L.A.
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