While Tesla Inc. TSLA set the standard for electric vehicles around the world, Edmunds automotive experts compared the company’s Model S Plaid to fellow Americans Competitor EV Lucid Group Inc LCID Released late last year – and the results are closer than you think.
What happened: Edmunds Experts compared the two premium electric vehicles and broke them down into four categories: range and charging, performance, interior and technology, price and value.
Range and load: Lucid touted its Air sedan as “the longest-range electric vehicle ever rated by the EPA.” Its most expensive Dream Edition received an official EPA rating of 520 miles of range on a single charge, more than 100 miles more than its closest competitor.
The highest range offered by Tesla is 405 miles on a single charge, which trails even the cheapest base model of the Lucid Air.
“In Edmunds’ actual range test, a Lucid Air Dream Edition Range model covered 505 miles of the advertised 520 miles. Meanwhile, a Tesla Model S Plaid on the optional 21-inch wheels covered 345 miles in the same test, just short of its 348-mile EPA rating,” Edmunds said.
The Lucid Air is one of the few electric vehicles that can use the maximum 350 kilowatt rate available at some fast-charging stations, while the Model S provides a maximum of 250 kilowatts of charging power.
“Longer battery life, higher efficiency and faster charging give the Lucid Air the easy win here,” Edmunds said.
Performance: Tesla is known for its blistering zero-to-60 times, but Lucid held its own in the performance category.
Edmunds said he clocked Tesla at 2.3 seconds in his zero-to-60 test and it took the vehicle 9.4 seconds to cover a quarter mile.
The Air Dream Edition (Range model) was not far behind. It hit 60 miles per hour in 2.8 seconds. A quarter mile time was not provided.
“While the Model S offers better handling right out of the box, both sedans offer jaw-dropping power, period. There simply can’t be a loser in this category,” Edmunds said before declaring a equality of performance.
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Interior & Tech: Edmunds wasn’t crazy about either company’s interior approach, citing Tesla’s odd steering yoke and the removal of traditional column stalks for touch-sensitive buttons, making “the controls more troublesome while driving”.
Edmunds noted that many of its staff have reported “painfully slow responses” from Lucid Air’s touchscreen and entertainment system. The Air also has issues with some of its advanced safety features, but Tesla and Lucid can fix those issues with over-the-air updates, automotive experts said.
Edmunds also did not pick a winner (or loser) in this category.
Price and value: The price of vehicles varies by model, but all are quite expensive by almost everyone’s standards. The base Lucid Air, which isn’t available yet, should start at $87,400, but the Dream Edition is $170,500. On the other hand, the Tesla Model S starts at $105,000 and the Plaid trim model costs over $137,000.
Both vehicles tend to have build quality issues, and both companies offer similar baseline warranties, but Tesla’s powertrain warranty is “slightly better,” Edmunds said.
“Both vehicles will make a serious dent in your bank account, but the Model S Plaid is less expensive and offers a level of acceleration that few vehicles in the world can match, making it a bargain,” Edmunds said. , siding with Tesla in terms of value.
The winner: by Elon Musk You’re here.
“The Lucid Air is a laudable first effort from a new automaker, thanks in large part to its Tesla-thumping range, otherworldly acceleration, and head-turning exterior design. For now, the Model S holds a slight overall advantage, but if Lucid can get past its teething troubles, it just might end Tesla’s reign.”
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Some elements of this story have already been reported by Benzinga and it has been updated.
Photos: Courtesy of Tesla and Lucid.