EV startup Lucid enters lucrative SUV market with Gravity

Lucid’s highly anticipated Gravity SUV builds upon the innovations first seen in the Lucid Air sedan to create a luxury electric SUV without compromise: a high-performance vehicle with space for up to seven adults and their gear and a projected driving range in excess of 440 miles.

Lucid, known for its flagship Air luxury electric sedan, unveiled the much-awaited Gravity sport utility vehicle during the Los Angeles Auto Show, driving the startup into a lucrative section of the U.S. auto industry amid growing caution over slowing EV demand.

Starting at under USD 80,000 and with the top trim offering more than 440 miles in range, the Gravity sits right next to rival Rivian’s flagship R1S SUV and is expected to go into production late next year.

“The Gravity SUV represents a significant leap forward for Lucid’s world-leading technology and design. Customers will find an unprecedented combination of space and maneuverability, luxury, and versatility, all seamlessly integrated into one remarkable vehicle with the driving experience and range of a true Lucid,” said Peter Rawlinson, CEO and CTO at Lucid.

Gravity Design: “At Lucid, we believe in pushing the boundaries of design. We have leaned into this belief to maximize spaciousness, aerodynamic efficiency, and utility, resulting in an electric SUV with a previously unseen blend of attributes,” said Derek Jenkins, Senior Vice President of Design and Brand at Lucid. “Whether it’s a cargo-swallowing SUV for family camping trips or a long-range grand tourer covering hundreds of miles between stops, Gravity is designed to be versatile.  Our team’s dedication to creating an SUV that seamlessly fuses form and function has resulted in a vehicle that’s visually striking, incredibly versatile, and provides an elevated luxury driving experience.”

Lucid’s commitment to design excellence, spacious interiors, and versatility further sets Gravity apart from the competition. The exterior design choices are a testament to Gravity’s fusion of aesthetics and utility. A focus on efficiency has led to a target coefficient of drag of less than 0.24, an aerodynamic profile unsurpassed by other three-row SUVs. With a commanding presence supported by a substantial frunk, sleek profile, elongated cabin, pronounced shoulders, and sporty tail spoiler, Gravity showcases its ability to meet the diverse needs of the daily driver.

Inside, Gravity impresses with ample and flexible cargo areas. The cabin offers spacious seating, with the added convenience of second and third-row seats that fold flat to reveal more than 112 cubic feet of total usable cargo space for an effortless combination of comfort and cargo capacity. The sliding second row seats combine with integrated convenience tables for an elevated back-seat experience. Remarkable legroom is carried through to the third row, enabling a comfortable seven-passenger configuration, making it the ideal vehicle for every adventure.

Gravity represents a definitive evolution of Lucid’s user interface, called Clearview Cockpit, featuring an intuitive 34-inch curved and uninterrupted OLED display that float above Gravity’s innovative new steering wheel, closely matched with the driver’s line of sight. Lucid’s Pilot Panel returns in Gravity with a quick access touch bar and sitting alongside a new glass center console that elegantly slides open for additional storage. This SUV also introduces Lucid’s next-generation software with over-the-air updates, ensuring continued vehicle improvement.

Controlling cost is important for Lucid given its high cash burn. The company ended the third quarter with USD 5.45 billion in cash, which it has said is enough to start producing Gravity and into 2025.