After a week in the model-year 2026 Lucid Air Touring, Ars Technica automotive editor Jonathan M. Gitlin judged it more polished and easier to live with than an earlier Air he had driven. The review describes a quick, efficient luxury sedan with a comfortable ride and generous passenger and cargo space. Its drawbacks include a visibility-blocking A-pillar, options that can push the price up, and the reviewer’s concern about low resale prices.
The figures and driving impressions below are from Gitlin’s review, published January 23, 2026; they are not independently verified against Lucid’s current specifications or prices. Treat them as a review of one tested car, not a guarantee for every configuration or market.
What is the 2026 Air Touring, and what does the review say it costs?
The Touring sits between the less powerful single-motor Air Pure and the range-topping Air Sapphire in Lucid’s Air lineup. Ars Technica reported U.S. starting prices of $79,900 for Touring, $70,900 for Pure, and just under $250,000 for Sapphire. These are the review’s reported prices, not verified current quotes; equipment and pricing can change.
The Touring makes the strongest case as a balance of performance and everyday comfort rather than as the most extreme Air. The review’s week-long drive led Gitlin to conclude that the 2026 model felt substantially more finished than the earlier Lucid he had experienced.
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How quick and powerful is it?
Ars Technica reports 620 hp (462 kW), 885 lb-ft (1,160 Nm) of torque, and a vehicle weight of 5,009 lb (2,272 kg). Despite its mass, the Touring felt strikingly fast to the reviewer: he compared its acceleration to a McLaren F1 benchmark of 3.2 seconds to 60 mph, saying the Lucid was about 0.2 seconds slower. That is a comparison from the review, not a separately measured acceleration test described in the available account.
The review also gives the car a 0.197 drag coefficient. Its power and aerodynamic shape help explain the combination of brisk performance and strong range, though the range figure depends on wheel configuration.
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What range and efficiency did the review report?
Ars Technica cites an EPA range of 396 miles (673 km) for a Touring with 19-inch aero-efficient wheels and a 92 kWh battery pack. That figure applies to the stated wheel configuration; it should not be assumed for every wheel or option combination.
In colder January weather, Gitlin drove a test car with optional 20-inch wheels and recorded almost 4 miles per kWh (15.5 kWh/100 km) on longer highway drives, and around 3.5 miles per kWh (17.8 kWh/100 km) in city driving. These are the reviewer’s observed results in those conditions, not EPA ratings or a promise of what another driver will achieve.
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- Compatibility - Made specifically for 2025 Lucid Air *Touring/Pure with Anchor Posts* models. Compatible with your vehicle’s factory floor anchors.
- Durable and Strong - Our Advanced Performance Mat Liner is Tested for Extreme Conditions to Ensure they Don't Crack, Split or Deform. Great Accessories for your Lucid Air (Touring/Pure).
- Simple & Unique Design - Featuring an unmatched combination of durability, function and style. We strip away the unnecessary for a simpler, more intuitive and satisfying experience.
- Contain the Mess - Textured skid-resistant surface, easy cleanup.
- Guaranteed for Life - Backed by LinerX Lifetime Limited Warranty. Please let us know if you run into any issues, we will do our best to make it right.
How did charging work in the test?
The review says the Air Touring uses a CCS1 charging socket and supports ISO 15118 Plug & Charge. In one public DC fast-charging session, after manually preconditioning the battery, the car charged from 27% to 80% in 36 minutes. It added 53.3 kWh and showed 209 miles (336 km) of added range on the dashboard. This is one reported session, not a general charging-time guarantee.
Gitlin did not test AC charging. His estimate that a 0–100% AC charge would take around 10 hours is an estimate, not a measured result.
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Is the cabin comfortable and practical?
The reviewer praised the ride as smooth and the rear seat as capacious. Cargo capacity is reported at 22 cubic feet (623 L) in the trunk and 10 cubic feet (283 L) in the front trunk, or frunk. The dashboard combines a 34-inch curved driver display with wireless Apple CarPlay, a lower touchscreen that can be stowed, and physical controls for temperature and volume.
One notable ergonomic drawback is the steeply raked A-pillar, which Gitlin says creates a driver blind spot. That is worth considering during a test drive, especially at intersections or when checking cross traffic.
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What does DreamDrive Pro do—and what does it not do?
The tested vehicle had optional DreamDrive Pro, listed by Ars Technica at $6,750. Gitlin describes it as hands-free Level 2+ driver assistance: it can manage steering, acceleration, and braking in supported conditions, but the driver must keep paying attention. The review reports that it can initiate a lane change when the driver signals and it is safe, and that it uses gaze tracking to monitor the driver.
This is supervised assistance, not autonomous driving. The review does not describe a Level 3 system.
What are the main drawbacks to weigh?
- Visibility: The steep A-pillar can obstruct the driver’s view.
- Options and price: The review warns that optional equipment can add up quickly; DreamDrive Pro alone was listed at $6,750 on the tested car.
- Resale uncertainty: Gitlin characterizes Air resale prices as “shockingly low,” but provides no resale dataset or quantified depreciation comparison. Treat that as a reviewer’s qualitative caution, not a measured market forecast.
- Configuration matters: The cited EPA range is for 19-inch aero-efficient wheels, while the reviewer’s efficiency observations came from a cold-weather test car on 20-inch wheels.
How does it compare with the Porsche Taycan?
Gitlin says he could find an Air versus an equivalently priced Porsche Taycan a difficult choice, while emphasizing that they offer different driving experiences. The review does not provide a complete side-by-side comparison of price, range, charging, equipment, warranty, or resale value, so it supports a qualitative comparison rather than a winner. Buyers considering both should compare current prices and exact configurations in their market.
Is the 2026 Lucid Air Touring worth considering?
In this review, the Touring’s appeal is its combination of strong acceleration, long quoted EPA range in the specified wheel configuration, comfortable ride, spacious cabin, and useful cargo capacity. The “complete car” verdict is Gitlin’s conclusion after a week with the vehicle—not a controlled comparison, reliability finding, or claim that the car suits every buyer. The evidence here is one detailed driving review; current specifications, pricing, equipment, and availability should be confirmed with Lucid for the exact market and configuration before purchase.
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