Electric cars are generally more expensive than traditional gas-powered cars due to their increased complexity and higher overall production costs. When combined with the highest levels of luxury, the price tags for electric cars can quickly enter all-new territory for the still relatively new segment.
In addition to the obvious efficiency benefits of electric motors, the smoothness of the drive can be dramatically improved using battery power, making it no surprise that so many luxury car brands continue to release all-new electric models into their lineups. Of course, there’s no engine noise with electric motors, making these cars the best option if you’re looking for the most relaxing drive possible.
In recent years, Lucid Motors has risen to the top of the luxury EV segment, with the Air sedan being the brand’s flagship model. In 2024, offering four different trims for the luxury electric sedan, the Lucid Air Sapphire comes out on top by quite some margin. Introducing ultra-competitive performance alongside the existing modern opulence, here’s a closer look at the 2024 Lucid Air Sapphire, the most expensive mainstream electric car on sale.
In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Lucid Motors and other authoritative sources, including fueleconomy.gov and Consumer Reports.
2024 Lucid Air: A Comprehensive Guide On Features, Specs, And Pricing
The Lucid Air is one of the most impressive all-electric cars on the market and this comprehensive guide dives into every little detail.
The 2024 Lucid Air Sapphire Is Your Answer
Compared to its rivals, the Lucid Air is a much newer luxury electric car, with sales only beginning in 2021. Ever since, the Lucid Air has taken over the segment, being named as the 2024 Best Luxury Electric Car by U.S. News & World Report. While the standard Air Pure comes in at $69,900, the pricing manages to stay competitive. However, being the first-ever luxury electric super-sports sedan, it comes as no surprise that the Lucid Air Sapphire has no other models besides it.
Starting At $249,000
Overall, the 2024 Lucid Air Sapphire starts at a whopping $249,000. While that might seem like a lot, even for a luxury electric car, Lucid Motors makes an incredibly strong case to justify the segment-topping price.
The rest of the 2024 Lucid Air range offers a solid amount of customization for both the exterior and interior, along with further driver assistance features. However, the Air Sapphire offers every additional option as standard, which hikes the overall price by quite some margin on the lower trims. The mind-bending performance that the Air Sapphire manages to deliver greatly assists with justifying the quarter-of-a-million dollar price.
In Comparison With The Rest Of The Lucid Air Range
Regarding the rest of the 2024 Lucid Air range, there’s truly a model for everyone looking to invest in a luxury electric sedan. The only trim to offer rear-wheel-drive is the base Air Pure trim, being powered by a single electric motor. Moving up to the Air Touring which starts at $77,900, the dual-motors improve performance but keep the range effectively the same at 411 miles.
Crossing the $100,000 mark is the Air Grand Touring, which is the perfect choice if the range is the most important factor when buying a new electric car. Offering a whopping 516 miles of estimated range, the Air Grand Touring’s $109,900 starting price tag keeps it competitive with the likes of the Mercedes EQS, which doesn’t offer anywhere near as much range on a single charge.
The 2024 Lucid Air Breaches The 500-Mile Range EPA-Rating With The Grand Touring Trim
Courtesy of some enhancements under the skin, the Lucid Air in the Grand Touring trim has become the longest-range EV currently on sale.
The Lucid Air Sapphire Delivers Class-Leading Performance
By producing such a powerful machine only three years after releasing the nameplate, the Lucid Air Sapphire is undoubtedly one of the most special electric cars ever produced. The entire purpose of the Air Sapphire was to blend the existing practicality and luxury with ground-breaking performance, which has most definitely been achieved through the use of cutting-edge technology and making the most of the unique benefits electric motors offer.
Producing More Than 1,200 Horsepower From Its Tri-Motor Layout
Moving down trim to the Grand Touring trim, the 819 horsepower offered is still more than enough to experience the blistering potential of the Air. However, in order to unlock even more power, Lucid Motors uses a tri-motor layout in the Air Sapphire, with one motor at the front and two at the rear, forming the twin-drive unit. The result is a staggering 1,234 horsepower and 1,430 pound-feet of torque.
Thanks to its power, the Lucid Air Sapphire manages to travel from 0 to 60 miles per hour in just 1.89 seconds. While many electric cars only deliver enhanced acceleration, the Air Sapphire continues to climb to a top speed of 205 miles per hour. When keeping your foot down, you’ll be able to run a quarter-mile in 8.95 seconds at 158 miles per hour. Overall, Consumer Reports gives the Lucid Air a road test score of 94/100 across the board.
2024 Lucid Air Sapphire Performance Specifications
|
Engine |
Triple-Permanent-Magnet Motors |
|
Transmission |
Single-Speed Automatic |
|
Horsepower |
1,234 HP |
|
Torque |
1,430 LB-FT |
|
Driveline |
AWD |
|
0-60 MPH |
1.89 Seconds |
|
Top Speed |
205 MPH |
(Data was collected from Lucid)
The luxury electric super-sports sedan comes with four different driving modes to optimize the Lucid Air Sapphire, depending on the scenario. The first is Smooth mode, which prioritizes comfort and efficiency to deliver the smoothest drive possible.
In Swift mode, the Lucid Air takes advantage of its performance-oriented technology to give it a sports car-like edge. Sapphire mode takes it up another level, maximizing the car’s abilities for on-road driving. For maximum attack, Track mode features three sub-modes: Drag Strip, Hot Lap, and Endurance. Lucid stresses that this mode should only be used when at racetracks.
The California-based manufacturer also prioritizes aerodynamics in the design of the Lucid Air to keep it planted on the tarmac. As a result, the 2024 Lucid Air is now the most aerodynamic production vehicle, with its monumental 0.179 coefficient of drag.
Doesn’t Sacrifice Range For Performance
Typically, the faster the electric vehicle is, the lower the overall range will be. While you can definitely drain the 118 kWh battery pack if you constantly push the car, the EPA estimates that the Lucid Air Sapphire can achieve 485 miles of range on a single charge.
This is mainly thanks to its tri-motor layout, which while not managing to break the 500-mile barrier, eliminates any range anxiety you may have due to the performance that comes with the super-sports sedan. If you include the Lucid Connected Home Charging Station, you can charge up to 80 miles of range per hour.
Lucid Air Sapphire Performance: 0-60 MPH And Top Speed
The Lucid Air Sapphire’s acceleration and top speed make it a landmark luxury EV sedan.
The Lucid Air Sapphire Continues The Quality Inside
Despite being far more performance-focused than the rest of the Air range, Lucid Motors has ensured to continue the highest levels of modern luxury throughout the Air Sapphire’s interior. Almost every luxury electric vehicle manufacturer follows a futuristic yet minimalistic interior design style centered on the latest technology available, with the Lucid Air Sapphire being no different. In comparison with the lower Air trims, the Sapphire features its own unique additions to set it apart.
Its Wide Array Of Cutting-Edge Technology
Inside the Lucid Air Sapphire, most of the settings are controlled through the retractable center pilot panel, which, when put away, makes way for further cabin storage. However, the standout feature of the Lucid Air’s cabin is the 34-inch glass cockpit display, which wraps around the steering wheel.
The screen is split into three sections, with the center display providing the speedometer, along with other essential information. If any technology improvements are required for the Lucid Air Sapphire, over-the-air updates are sent out to every model that requires them. For the Lucid Air Sapphire, you get the top-of-the-range DreamDrive Pro safety package, which includes:
- Highway Assist with active lane centering and Adaptive Cruise Control
- 3D Surround View Monitoring and Blind Spot Display
- Over-the-air updates
- Driver Monitoring System (Includes Distracted Driver Alert & Drowsy Driver Alert)
- Front & Rear Cross Traffic Protection
- Automatic Emergency Braking
- Forward Collision Warning
- Blind Spot Warning
- Lane Departure Protection
- Rear Pedestrian Collision Protection
- Adaptive Cruise Control with Speed Limit Assist
Featuring The Highest-Quality Materials
Despite being the most expensive Air model available, the Lucid Air Sapphire doesn’t allow you to customize the interior. However, Lucid introduced the trim exclusive Sapphire Mojave. The seats are finished in a super-soft synthetic ‘Purluxe’ leather material, aiming to achieve the most luxurious cabin experience possible. Complete with wooden accents, the Lucid Air Sapphire also includes an exclusive sports seat design in the front with heating, cooling, and massage functionality.
Lucid Gravity: Everything Confirmed So Far
From over 440 miles of range to a slew of special features, the Lucid Gravity electric SUV is here to set the segment on fire.
The Models Going Up Against The Lucid Air Sapphire
Despite being the most expensive luxury electric car available in 2024, the Lucid Air Sapphire still has some competition, even if it is only challenged by a select few models. While the rest of the Lucid Air range has more direct rivals, the Air Sapphire represents the very best of what the segment is capable of achieving, making it no surprise just how scarce the electric super-sports sedan scene is in 2024.
The 2024 Tesla Model S Plaid
In the same year that the Lucid Air was first released, the Tesla Model S Plaid was also released in the United States. Moving into 2024, the Model S Plaid is one of the closest rivals to the Lucid Air Sapphire, even if it costs a much lower $81,490. Both models feature a tri-motor layout, but the Tesla can’t quite match up to the Air Sapphire’s performance and interior quality.
The 2024 Telsa Model S Plaid still offers exceptional performance, however, producing up to 1,020 horsepower. This allows the electric sedan to reach 60 miles per hour in just 1.99 seconds. Inside, the Tesla Model S Plaid also follows a modern, sleek design style, but doesn’t come with the same overall quality and finish that’s found in the Lucid Air Sapphire.
The 2025 Porsche Taycan Turbo GT
The Porsche Taycan has been a pioneering model in the electric performance sedan segment since its first release in 2019. In 2024, the Taycan reached all-new heights for the nameplate, thanks to the record-breaking Turbo GT trim.
Starting at a close $230,000 for both the standard Turbo GT and the Weissach Package model, the Taycan is finally able to compete with Lucid and Tesla’s very best. Producing 1,019 horsepower and 988 pound-feet of torque, the 2025 Taycan Turbo GT offers blistering performance around the track, but still can’t beat the mighty Lucid Air Sapphire’s class-leading capabilities across the board.
