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2024 Lucid Air vs BMW i7: Which is Better?
Lucid Air and BMW i7 represent cutting-edge electric luxury sedans with remarkable engineering feats. The Lucid Air stands out with its impressive 60 mph acceleration in 3.0 seconds and a 400-mile range. Surpassing rivals like the Porsche Taycan and Tesla Model S. The Air Sapphire model takes it a step further with a claimed sub-2.0-second acceleration. The entry-level Pure trim offers a balance of performance and luxury. Showcasing Lucid’s innovative technology, novel battery design, and powerful electric motors derived from Formula E racing. On the other hand, the BMW i7 caters to luxury buyers seeking serenity, blending a powerful EV powertrain, smooth ride, and premium materials. The tech-savvy sedan features digital displays, and the option for a drop-down theatre system sets it apart from the Mercedes-Benz EQS. The i7 xDrive60 boasts 536 hp and a 318-mile range, while the performance-oriented M70 trim offers 650 hp and a 295-mile range.
| Lucid Air | BMW i7 | |
| Dimensions | 195.9 in x 76.2 x 55.4 in | 212.2 in x 76.8 in x 60.8 in |
| Motor | permanent magnet sync AC motors | permanent magnet sync AC motors |
| Horsepower | 620 hp | 536 hp |
| Torque | 885 lb-ft | 549 lb-ft |
| 0-60 MPH | 3.0 sec | 4.1 sec |
| 0-100 MPH | 6.7 sec | 9.6 sec |
| Top-Speed | 140 mph | 150 mph |
Lucid Air
Motor & Performance
The basic Lucid Air Pure has one electric motor in the back that gives it a solid 430 hp. Other models kick it up a notch with two electric motors, making it AWD with different horsepower options. The Touring has 620 hp, and the Grand Touring is a powerhouse with a whopping 1050. The big shot now is the Lucid Air Sapphire, flexing a huge 1234 hp with three electric motors. The fancier Grand Touring Air models come with a big 112.0-kWh battery and quick DC fast charging. The simpler Pure and Touring versions use a slightly smaller 92-kWh battery. The basic Pure can go about 410 miles on one charge, and the mid-range Touring gets 425 miles. The Grand Touring and Grand Touring Performance models go even further with 516 and 446 miles of range.
Price & Mileage
The Lucid Motors Air begins at $78,900 for the Pure RWD and goes all the way up to $250,500 for the Sapphire AWD. We’d recommend going for the Pure model. The most fuel-efficient Air gets a rating of 131 MPGe combined. While the Performance version is a bit lower at 111 MPGe combined.
Acceleration & Features
The Grand Touring and Grand Touring Performance versions showed off their speed with a quick 3.0-second time to reach 60 mph, and you can easily do it again using the car’s launch mode. The Touring model, a bit more budget-friendly and less powerful, matched that same 3.0-second mark. Meanwhile, the Pure, which has RWD, took a bit longer at 4.3 seconds. The difference in power becomes more noticeable when reaching 130 mph. The Touring did it in 12.0 seconds, while the Grand Touring zipped by in a speedy 10.3 seconds.
BMW i7
Motor & Performance
The all-wheel-drive i7s share a similar electric powertrain setup with the iX, BMW’s EV SUV. They pack two electric motors. One for each axle giving a total of 536 hp. On the other hand, the RWD eDrive50 model has 449 hp, making it a bit slower. For those seeking more power and fun, the M70 model cranks it up to 650 hp. Making the big sedan feel surprisingly nimble, although it doesn’t quite match the sharpness of BMW’s real M-series cars. The i7 xDrive60, equipped with standard 19-inch wheels, offers an estimated range of 318 miles on a single charge. According to the EPA, the eDrive50 is good for up to 321 miles per charge, and the M70 model can deliver up to 291 miles per charge. The i7’s sizable 101.7-kWh battery can connect to DC fast-charging stations, reportedly adding 80 miles of range in just 10 minutes.
Price & Mileage
The BMW i7 has a starting price of $106,695 for the eDrive50 and can go up to $169,495 for the M70, depending on the trim and extras you choose. If you’re not planning on having impromptu drag races at every stoplight, the xDrive60 model might be the way to go. According to the EPA, the i7 xDrive60 is estimated to get up to 87 MPGe in the city and 92 MPGe on the highway. The M70 might have slightly lower numbers, while the eDrive50 could go a bit higher.
Acceleration & Features
During testing, the i7 xDrive60 reached 60 mph in 4.1 seconds, showing off some solid speed. The more potent M70 is expected to hit 60 mph even faster, estimated at just 3.3 seconds. Inside, the i7 takes a page from the iX SUV, rocking a digital dashboard with large floating digital gauges and an infotainment display. These two displays are sandwiched together under a single pane of glass, giving a clear view of driving data and entertainment features. For those in the back, there’s an option for a rear-seat entertainment system featuring a massive 31.3-inch screen that drops down from the ceiling. This screen can access streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube using the car’s 5G cellular connection.