Rivian vs. Lucid: Which EV Is The Better Buy?
Rivian by Rivian — CC-BY-SA-4.0
In the Rivian vs. Lucid match-up, it’s difficult to definitively say which of these two vehicles is the better buy. Both Rivian and Lucid offer highly-regarded electric vehicles (EVs) with their own unique set of features and capabilities. Ultimately, your best choice will depend on individual needs and preferences.
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First, let’s take a look at the Rivian. This EV company was founded in 2009 and has gained significant attention for its all-electric adventure vehicles, the R1T pickup truck and the R1S SUV. Both models are designed for off-road adventures and feature impressive capabilities, including a range of over 400 miles on a single charge and the ability to go from 0 to 60 mph in just 3 seconds. Additionally, Rivian vehicles are equipped with advanced technology, including a customizable infotainment system and over-the-air updates.
On the other hand, Lucid Motors was founded in 2007 and has also gained recognition for its EVs. The company’s flagship vehicle is the Lucid Air, an all-electric luxury sedan that boasts a range of up to 516 miles on a single charge. The Lucid Air also comes equipped with a variety of high-tech features, including a massive 33-inch glass cockpit display and advanced driver assistance systems.
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Both the Rivian and Lucid vehicles have a lot to offer in terms of performance and technology. However, the Rivian vehicles are geared more towards off-road adventures, while the Lucid Air is a luxury sedan. If you’re looking for a car that can handle rugged terrain and is equipped with advanced technology, the Rivian is the better choice. However, the Lucid Air is better if you want a sleek, stylish luxury sedan with outstanding range and performance.
Ultimately, the decision of which vehicle to buy is a personal one that will depend on your individual needs and preferences. It is worth considering both the Rivian and Lucid options and carefully evaluating their features and capabilities to determine the best fit for you.
Let’s continue the Rivian vs. Lucid comparison by taking a closer look at each automaker’s offerings. Later on, we’ll see how each model stacks up when it comes to horsepower and range value.
Rivian vs. Lucid: Model Overviews
Rivian R1T
The R1T pickup comes with numerous high-tech gear like a 360-degree camera system, a self-leveling air suspension, and a host of driver assistance and safety features. Rivian’s debut vehicle also features a unique “gear tunnel” design, which allows the truck to carry a wide variety of gear and equipment without taking up valuable space in the cargo bed. Buyers can choose between dual- and quad-motor configurations with different battery pack capacities, among several other options.
Rivian R1S
Borrowing heavily from the R1T, the R1S SUV has recently started rolling off the assembly line at Rivian’s Illinois factory. Like its stablemate, the R1S offers different engine and battery pack combinations but seats up to seven passengers. In peak form, the R1S can hit 60 mph from a standstill in three seconds, making it one of the world’s fastest SUVs.
Lucid Air
Lucid’s first vehicle, the Air, sent shock waves through the budding EV industry. Its sleek design and class-leading range no doubt got noticed at archrival Tesla, while a $170,000 starting price (for the Dream edition) was an eye-opening moment for many EV shoppers. Six-figure versions are the bulk of the company’s business at the moment, yet, the recent launch of the cheaper Air Pure opens up the door to more buyers.
However, the company is still paying attention to the upper end. The Air Sapphire should reach the streets sometime in 2023 with 1,200 horsepower and a 0-60 time below two seconds. It all adds up to a $250,000 price and honors (for the moment) as the fastest production vehicle in the world.
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Lucid Gravity
Lucid is also working on an SUV, the Gravity. But the company is tight on details, and it isn’t likely to hit the streets until 2025, at the earliest.
Rivian vs. Lucid: Looking at Cost and Value
Likening a Rivian truck or SUV to a Lucid sedan (or vice-versa) is an apples-to-oranges comparison. Another way to look at things is how much each vehicle costs in terms of horsepower and range (see the chart below).
We compiled a list of each automaker’s vehicles (Lucid sells multiple versions of its Air sedan, so we included the cheapest and most expensive options) and divided the price by horsepower to determine the cost for each horsepower of motor output. We performed a similar calculation to determine how much each mile of range capability would cost a buyer.
On a cost-per-horsepower basis, Rivian wins hands down. The top-tier R1S quad-motor SUV comes in at $110, that’s $60 less per horsepower than the Lucid Air Grand Touring Performance Edition. Even the $130 per horsepower figure is well below the same calculation for any Lucid model.
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However, Lucid takes the crown (just barely) for cost per mile of range. The least-expensive Lucid, the Air Pure with all-wheel drive, costs $229 per mile of range, just edging out the $230 figure for the R1S quad-motor.
In short, if you’re shopping for a premium EV and aren’t concerned about body style (truck, SUV, or sedan) but are looking for the most bang for your buck in terms of horsepower, then the Rivian gets the nod. But the coin flips for EV buyers more concerned about range, as Lucid presents a better value in this area (except for its most expensive model, the Air Ground Touring Performance).
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*with optional Max Pack battery / ^Performance edition
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