Lucid vs Cybertruck

[pricedm]

Got it, I saw 500 somewhere....

Lucid Air (aka Tesla Model S) Grand Touring with 19 inch wheels "up to 512 miles [EPA range]"
https://lucidmotors.com/air-grand-touring
Around $120k.
Lucid finally added heat pump in 2024...
...or...
Lucid Air Touring with 19 inch wheels "up to 406 miles [EPA range] $96,450
versus
Tesla Model S with FSD $84k.
Efficient motors, yes. Competitive pricing, no. That said, the Lucid Gravity will help Lucid once they start selling <$80k versions.

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[SCTesla]

Lucid Air (aka Tesla Model S) Grand Touring with 19 inch wheels "up to 512 miles [EPA range]"
https://lucidmotors.com/air-grand-touring
Around $120k.
Lucid finally added heat pump in 2024...
...or...
Lucid Air Touring with 19 inch wheels "up to 406 miles [EPA range] $96,450
versus
Tesla Model S with FSD $84k.
Efficient motors, yes. Competitive pricing, no. That said, the Lucid Gravity will help Lucid once they start selling <$80k versions.

The Lucid hit 515 miles going 70mph.
The Model S hit 342 going 70mph.

Is that worth an additional $40k? It doesn't look it from sales, but it's impressive.

 

[GuyV]

Tesla 's original Secret Master Plan called for development of relatively expensive, low-volume models (Roadster, S and X), and then using the profits to develop inexpensive, high volume-models (3 and Y).

Rivian and Lucid appear to be following the same general plan, but they are still in the expensive, low-volume stage (R1T and R1S for Rivian, Air and Gravity for Lucid), which puts them several years behind Tesla. Rivian is clearly trying to move to the inexpensive, high-volume stage, with the upcoming R2 (planned for First Half 2026) and R3/3X (no date).

Clearly the Gravity is expensive. Lucid has made claims that they will launch an inexpensive vehicle in 2026, but basically nothing has been revealed about it, except that Lucid has trademarked the name "Lucid Earth". So Lucid may be behind both Tesla and Rivian.

Incidentally, it's not clear how the Cybertruck fits into Tesla's Master Plans. As originally announced in 2019, Tesla planned to release expensive Cybertrucks priced like Models S or X, but also an inexpensive version priced like the Model 3. However, only the expensive versions of the Cybertruck have actually been released, at least as of early 2025.

Not exactly, Rivian really started with a big delivery van.

 

[GuyV]

Pickup truck vs minivan.

Yep, we can make comparisons when they release a pickup truck.

 

[YDR37]

Not exactly, Rivian really started with a big delivery van.

OK, I should have also mentioned the Rivian EDV delivery van. But it doesn't change the pattern, since it starts at $83,000 and has been produced in relatively small numbers (so far). So the van is also an expensive, low-volume vehicle, like the R1T and R1S.

The first Rivian vehicle to be delivered to customers was the R1T in 3Q 2021. The EDV and R1S followed quickly in 4Q 2021.

 

[Effonefiddy Lightning]

Tesla fanboy here. I see the new Lucid Gravity SUV has a 123 kw battery pack, same as the CT, but a claimed range of 450 miles. I figure that’s a legit number based on their sedan history. I’ve always been disappointed with the 310 mile range of the CT. Why would their range be so much better?

Source: Electric Viking.
No, I’m not a plant.
Yes, I know they lose money on every car.
Yes, I know they are low volume.

CT is a lot heavier and has bigger tires than a lucid.

 

[HaulingAss]

Lucid Gravity appears to have the drag coefficient of 0.24. CT is 0.34.

The drag coefficient is only part of the story. The Gravity will have a considerably smaller frontal area and, as most of us know, the drag coefficient has to be multiplied by the frontal area to get the actual drag.

Also, Tesla could gain a few percentage points of efficiency if they were willing to pay a lot more for the most expensive magnets and the most efficient power transistors, but those don't translate well to high volume vehicles. There is the much higher cost, plus the much more limited supply.

Lucid appears to be on a mission to convince investors that they have better EV technology, but they are just using more expensive high efficiency components and making small compromises on things like rear seat headroom and computing power to achieve the illusion that they have some kind of magic sauce. And when you lose huge money on every vehicle, you need a constant stream of new investments.

Didn't Rawlings recently say the EV of the future has only 180 miles of range?

 

[HaulingAss]

Lucid has an incredibly small, high-horse power yet efficient motor. Their tech should not be ignored.

Haha. Yeah, it would be great if Lucids motors and inverters could be mass-produced for the mass market at a low cost. But they can't. They are highly optimized for efficiency over manufacturing cost.

 

[Tesstudio]

As a Tesla enthusiast, it's understandable to be curious about the Lucid Gravity SUV's impressive range, especially considering it shares a similar 123 kWh battery capacity with the Tesla Cybertruck. Lucid claims the Gravity achieves an EPA-estimated range of 450 miles, significantly surpassing the Cybertruck's estimated range of 318 miles.

Car and Driver


Key Factors Influencing Range Differences:

1. Vehicle Efficiency:
   • Lucid Gravity: Lucid's Air sedan, known for its efficiency, has set a benchmark in the industry. The Gravity SUV benefits from this efficient platform, contributing to its extended range.
     The Verge
   • Tesla Cybertruck: The Cybertruck's design, optimized for durability and utility, may not prioritize aerodynamics to the same extent as Lucid's vehicles, potentially affecting its efficiency.
2. Battery Architecture:
   • Lucid Gravity: Utilizes a high-performance 926V powertrain platform, enabling faster charging and potentially more efficient energy utilization.
     Home | Lucid Motors
   • Tesla Cybertruck: Employs an 816V battery system, which, while efficient, may not match the higher voltage architecture of the Gravity.
     Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
3. Aerodynamics and Design:
   • Lucid Gravity: Features a low drag coefficient of 0.24, enhancing its aerodynamic efficiency.
     TopSpeed
   • Tesla Cybertruck: Designed with a focus on ruggedness and utility, which may result in a higher drag coefficient compared to more streamlined designs.
4. Weight and Size:
   • Lucid Gravity: As a mid-sized SUV, it may have a more favorable weight-to-size ratio, contributing to better efficiency.
   • Tesla Cybertruck: Being a larger pickup truck, it inherently carries more weight, which can impact energy consumption.

Conclusion:

While both vehicles share a similar battery capacity, the Lucid Gravity's superior range is attributed to its advanced efficiency, higher voltage battery architecture, and aerodynamic design. The Tesla Cybertruck, with its focus on utility and rugged design, may not achieve the same range despite having a comparable battery size.

 

[dalton108]

I don’t care how efficient Lucid is; their cars are absolutely fugly to me! And there’s no way in hell you could get me to pay 1.5 times the price of my Model S Plaid for a Sapphire to go only .10 seconds faster to 60!

And no FSD! I don’t understand who’s buying these cars. ??‍?

 

[dalton108]

As a Tesla enthusiast, it's understandable to be curious about the Lucid Gravity SUV's impressive range, especially considering it shares a similar 123 kWh battery capacity with the Tesla Cybertruck. Lucid claims the Gravity achieves an EPA-estimated range of 450 miles, significantly surpassing the Cybertruck's estimated range of 318 miles.

Car and Driver


Key Factors Influencing Range Differences:

1. Vehicle Efficiency:
   • Lucid Gravity: Lucid's Air sedan, known for its efficiency, has set a benchmark in the industry. The Gravity SUV benefits from this efficient platform, contributing to its extended range.
     The Verge
   • Tesla Cybertruck: The Cybertruck's design, optimized for durability and utility, may not prioritize aerodynamics to the same extent as Lucid's vehicles, potentially affecting its efficiency.
2. Battery Architecture:
   • Lucid Gravity: Utilizes a high-performance 926V powertrain platform, enabling faster charging and potentially more efficient energy utilization.
     Home | Lucid Motors
   • Tesla Cybertruck: Employs an 816V battery system, which, while efficient, may not match the higher voltage architecture of the Gravity.
     Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
3. Aerodynamics and Design:
   • Lucid Gravity: Features a low drag coefficient of 0.24, enhancing its aerodynamic efficiency.
     TopSpeed
   • Tesla Cybertruck: Designed with a focus on ruggedness and utility, which may result in a higher drag coefficient compared to more streamlined designs.
4. Weight and Size:
   • Lucid Gravity: As a mid-sized SUV, it may have a more favorable weight-to-size ratio, contributing to better efficiency.
   • Tesla Cybertruck: Being a larger pickup truck, it inherently carries more weight, which can impact energy consumption.

Conclusion:

While both vehicles share a similar battery capacity, the Lucid Gravity's superior range is attributed to its advanced efficiency, higher voltage battery architecture, and aerodynamic design. The Tesla Cybertruck, with its focus on utility and rugged design, may not achieve the same range despite having a comparable battery size.

 

[BannedByTMC]

I don’t understand who’s buying these cars.

You should, people who don't want a Tesla, (because of, reasons), and who want more range. Also, as anyone on a CT forum should know, looks are subjective.

 

[dalton108]

You should, people who don't want a Tesla, (because of, reasons), and who want more range. Also, as anyone on a CT forum should know, looks are subjective.

To be clear, for this post I’m only talking about Lucid Sapphire versus a Plaid.

I don’t hate anybody enough to spend 160 extra thousand dollars and punish myself just to “spite”them.

Cybertruck v. Gravity. Sure, I think everything you said applies fully. I don’t even hate its looks (for what it is) like I do with the Air. Also, it’s arguable that the Gravity is a better value for the money than the CT. Not even close for the Sapphire!

 

[BannedByTMC]

I don’t hate anybody enough to spend 160 extra thousand dollars and punish myself just to “spite”them.

Some people just want something different, some want more range, some may not want to be associated with a certain brand, not really about "spite".

 

[dalton108]

Some people just want something different, some want more range, some may not want to be associated with a certain brand, not really about "spite".

Maybe.

I think plaid buyers are performance car buyers (like me) and I don’t know any performance car buyer (who isn’t a YouTuber like drivetime) who wants to pay nearly twice for barely any performance improvement. It’s not like Lucid has any particular caché to warrant the premium.

I do know that they have their “formula E” bona fides, but … .

-————————————

UPDATE:

*Well after doing a little bit more research it looks like the best answer for the Sapphire is probably: nobody’s buying it!

The handful who are want the exclusivity since Lucid owners keep suggesting that it might be limited to a total of 250 examples. As of this moment, the best estimate is they’ve delivered no more than a dozen.

Again, as far as the other variants of the Lucid Air, all of your analysis works. But that becomes incomprehensible when you’re looking at the Sapphire which is the only car in their inventory which competes, meaningfully, with the Plaid.

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