Is the Lucid Air Sapphire a Good Car? 4 Pros, 2 Cons
Key Points
- The Lucid Air Sapphire’s calling card is its 1,234 horsepower that delivers a 1.89-second 0-60 mph time.
- The Sapphire can be a track machine, but it also rides well.
- A well-appointed interior brings the luxury, but so does the quarter-million dollar price.
Automotive startup Lucid may not have been the first manufacturer to bring a luxury electric vehicle to market, but it still made waves with the launch of the Air sedan for the 2022 model year. With its posh accommodations, impressive performance and solid driving range, the Air came ready to do battle with the best. With the arrival of a new Sapphire high-performance trim for 2023, Lucid took things to a whole different level, beating established luxury brands at their own game while creating one of the quickest vehicles ever built.
The Sapphire trim brings a number of upgrades, the most significant being a big increase in power. Cranking out a combined 1,234 hp from two electric motors in back and one in front, the result is a claimed 0-60 mph acceleration time of just 1.89 seconds on the way to a top speed of 205 mph. The Sapphire also gets sticky summer tires and a well-tuned suspension aided by lots of technological wizardry to help deliver surprisingly nimble handling, while the interior is every bit as spacious as that of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and more luxurious than that of a Tesla Model S. (Changes for 2026 include the ability to access Tesla’s Supercharger network.)
Cars.com Detroit Bureau Chief Aaron Bragman spent a week with a Lucid Air Sapphire on the streets and highways of southern Michigan, and he came away massively impressed. Tap the link above to read his expert review; for a quicker look, read on for four things we like about the Lucid Air Sapphire and two things we do not.
What Do We Like About the Lucid Air Sapphire?
1. Stealthy Track Car
There are few visual cues separating the Sapphire from lesser trims, but numerous upgrades help get all that power to the ground. Rather than a conventional limited-slip differential, Lucid makes extensive use of proprietary software to keep traction control, torque vectoring and stability control in check. A variety of drive modes allow for further customization and include options for track use. The Sapphire also gets carbon-ceramic brake rotors and Michelin Pilot Sport 4S summer tires that aid in cornering grip.
2. Impressive Interior
Interior quality has been a Lucid strong suit from the start, and the Sapphire cabin gets a little extra attention, as well. Heavily bolstered front seats offer extra support in the twisties and coddle occupants with heating, cooling and massage features. There’s plenty of room for five occupants to stretch out in the Alcantara-lined cabin, which has impeccable materials and finish. Lucid relies heavily on touch-sensitive controls, but everything is simply laid out, works well and is easy to master.
3. Mighty Quick
It’s difficult to convey just how quick the Sapphire gets going when you press the go-pedal, but one indicator is the inevitable outbursts from surprised passengers when they’re shoved back in their seats. A sub-two-second run from 0-60 mph is impressive in any vehicle, let alone a five-seat luxury sedan. It can be easy to get in trouble with this much power, but various drive modes allow the driver to dial responses to their liking, and maximum power is only available in dedicated track modes.
4. Ride Quality
The Sapphire does a brilliant job of balancing nimble handling with a comfortable and controlled ride even on the pockmarked streets of Detroit. The smartly tuned suspension easily soaks up bumps and potholes without drama, delivering a stable and compliant ride even in the sportier modes. For all of its capability, the Sapphire remains smooth and easy to handle with no quirks or drama, with an endless rush of power and a hushed cabin.
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What Do We Dislike About the Lucid Air Sapphire?
1. It’ll Cost Ya
One major penalty for performance is the premium required to step up to the Sapphire trim. Our 2024 test car carried a starting price of around $250,000 (including destination), making it more than three times the cost of a base Air, which is a nice car in its own right. But for buyers who want nothing less than this kind of performance, that is simply the cost of entry.
2. Socially Irresponsible?
Great power brings great responsibility, and some of us simply may not be up to the task. When you drive something this quick and capable, every other vehicle on the road seems like another obstacle in your way. That can lead to all kinds of antisocial behavior or, at the very least, a hefty speeding ticket. You may not always make friends while behind the wheel of a Sapphire, but odds are you’ll have a good time.
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