Trying ahead to spending quite a lot of money on a well-made all-electric automobile that does not qualify for the up to date EV tax credit score? The Porsche Taycan and the Lucid Air are the 2 that come to thoughts first. However making the fitting alternative is more difficult than it appears. Let’s dive in and see what may swimsuit you greatest.
The Lucid Air Pure and the Porsche Taycan are two of probably the most superior EVs at present out there within the US. They give the impression of being good, pack loads of energy for day by day use, boast quite a lot of new tech, and promise a driving expertise that doesn’t go away one wanting extra. Besides, in fact, when a monitor is out there. However that is one other story altogether. So, let’s have a look at which of those two would suit you.
Very first thing first, energy! The bottom Taycan (briefly) places out 402 hp (408 ps), whereas the Air Pure bumps that determine as much as 430 hp (436 ps). The American-made EV, nevertheless, can also be extra succesful concerning vary. The luxurious rear-wheel-drive sedan can theoretically go 124 mi (200 km) farther than the Porsche. So, proper from the get-go, we will see that Lucid has the higher hand.
Picture: Lucid
That improved energy determine and a extra succesful rear-mounted motor additionally give the Air the higher hand when accelerating from a standstill – the Lucid can attain 60 mph (97 kph) in 4.4 seconds. That is 0.7 seconds quicker than the Porsche!
Velocity and energy!
However for an opulent four-door zero-tailpipe emission cruiser, charging can also be necessary. The Air Pure additionally takes the highest spot right here since it may well add roughly 208 mi of vary when plugged right into a DC quick charger. The P3 Group evaluation was finished on an Air Grand Touring, however the least expensive Lucid sedan has the same (88-kWh) battery pack, and its charging functionality will not be artificially capped.
The identical supply places the Taycan (measured in GTS trim) within the sixth spot in terms of quick charging. Nevertheless, right here issues get trickier. For those who do not decide the non-compulsory $5,700 Efficiency Battery Plus for the bottom Taycan, you’re caught with the smaller 79.2-kWh vitality storage unit. You may need the bigger battery as a result of the additional vary is at all times good, particularly if you wish to use your EV for extra than simply commuting to the workplace.
However all these benefits apart, which one prices much less? At this worth level, a few thousand {dollars} won’t matter a lot, however we nonetheless have to have a look at the most effective MSRP. Shock-surprise, the Air Pure wins once more with its $87,400 assured MSRP. It is nonetheless some huge cash, however you get quite a lot of automobile and one 12 months of free quick charging with Electrify America (if you happen to take supply earlier than the tip of October 2023)!
Picture: Porsche
In the meantime, the bottom Taycan has an MSRP of $90,900 (or $96,680 when outfitted with Efficiency Battery Plus). Sadly, Porsche’s beginning worth will not be a positive factor as a result of the Stuttgart-based producer nonetheless depends on a complete community of sellers. They set up the pricing coverage and won’t honor the bottom determine out there. Plus, there’s an annoying pattern these days – sellers and producers choose to promote fewer however dearer automobiles. For somebody unwilling to splurge, that interprets into longer supply occasions or no assure for a car.
As such, the direct gross sales mannequin Lucid adopted is a bonus for patrons who are usually not prepared to haggle and simply wish to personal a cool-looking EV.
However we will not cease right here. We should have a look at the inside as properly. The Lucid’s 2.3-inch longer wheelbase helps maximize cabin area and supplies elevated consolation for these sitting within the second row. That is additionally mirrored within the cargo area – the Air Pure delivers 1.8 cubic toes extra quantity than its rival.
The Air Pure may additionally really feel roomier due to its beneficiant windowed surfaces, whereas the Taycan went for a sleeker, sportier look.
One’s too few, three too many
On the subject of know-how and connectivity, Porsche takes the highest spot just because it has labored out a sensible interface for its customers. The Air’s curved infotainment display will not be working very properly with apps like Apple CarPlay as a result of it shows them as a rectangle as a substitute of making certain they match accurately with the display design. Customers have additionally reported some points concerning the working software program, however the bugs are being actively fastened with every over-the-air replace.
Picture: Lucid
By now, practically every part factors within the Lucid Air Pure’s favor. However there is a slight difficulty.
The bottom Taycan is out there and might theoretically be ordered. The rear-wheel-drive Air Pure, nevertheless, is marked on the time of writing as being “out there later.” It is anticipated to achieve prospects within the third quarter of 2023, however there isn’t any assure. What’s recognized proper now’s that Europeans will get the single-motor Air in 2024. It might make sense to prioritize American deliveries. Nonetheless, we can’t vouch for the automaker until it particularly says it is going to put patrons of their “entry-level” Arizona-made EVs till the tip of the present 12 months. Fingers crossed, it occurs!
However if you’re not dashing to purchase an costly sedan that does not qualify for federal incentives, it’s possible you’ll wish to await the Taycan facelift. Porsche may introduce a extra refined automobile, particularly because it proved that it may maximize vary with the Taycan GTS. If it is one factor we all know for positive, is that the Germans aren’t messing round. They’re very critical about giving prospects good causes to improve.
The Lucid Air Pure stays a terrific possibility for potential EV patrons. Nevertheless, it isn’t a assured house run. On paper, issues can (and sort of do) look improbable. What issues most is the way you, the client, really feel when getting behind the wheel. In the end, the most effective factor you are able to do is check these two automobiles out. That is how you will make up your thoughts and haven’t any purchaser’s regret.
Or, who is aware of, perhaps you will choose the minimalist method and find yourself proudly owning a dual-motor all-wheel-drive Tesla Mannequin S. In any case, it is simply $1,000 greater than the rear-wheel-drive Air Pure and has entry to the very well-regarded Supercharger community.