Lucid Gravity SUV Deliveries Begin — Can It Challenge Tesla Model X? | Taha Abbasi

Lucid Gravity SUV Deliveries Begin — Can It Challenge Tesla Model X and BMW iX?

Taha Abbasi reviews the launch of Lucid’s Gravity SUV, the company’s second model and arguably its most important vehicle to date. While the Lucid Air sedan earned rave reviews for its luxury and efficiency, it failed to sell in meaningful volumes. The Gravity targets the far larger luxury SUV market — where success could mean Lucid’s survival and failure could spell its end.

The Gravity enters a market dominated by the Tesla Model X, BMW iX, Mercedes EQS SUV, and Rivian R1S. Each competitor has strengths, but as Taha Abbasi assesses, Lucid’s engineering pedigree — led by former Tesla Model S chief engineer Peter Rawlinson — gives the Gravity a technical foundation that punches above its price class.

What Makes the Gravity Special

• Range — Up to 440+ miles estimated, significantly more than any competing luxury electric SUV
• Efficiency — Lucid’s powertrain technology leads the industry in miles per kWh
• Three-row seating — Genuine seven-passenger capability with adult-friendly third row
• 900V architecture — Ultra-fast charging capability, adding 200+ miles in 15 minutes
• Glass canopy roof — Panoramic glass that extends from windshield to rear, creating an airy cabin
• Starting price — Mid-$80,000s for the base model, with Grand Touring trim near $100K

The Saudi Backing Wild Card

Lucid’s majority owner is the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), which has invested billions to keep the company afloat through its pre-profitability phase. As Taha Abbasi notes, this backing provides a financial cushion that most EV startups don’t have — but it also creates pressure to demonstrate results.

Saudi Arabia has plans to use Lucid vehicles as part of its NEOM smart city project and broader Vision 2030 transportation strategy. The Gravity, with its luxury positioning and advanced technology, could become a flagship vehicle for Saudi Arabia’s modernization showcase.

Can Lucid Scale?

The challenge for Lucid has never been engineering — the Air proved they can build a world-class vehicle. The challenge is manufacturing at scale and convincing consumers to choose Lucid over established brands. The Gravity needs to sell in the thousands per month, not hundreds, for Lucid to approach profitability.

Taha Abbasi sees the Gravity as Lucid’s best shot at commercial viability. Americans buy more SUVs than sedans, the luxury EV SUV segment is growing rapidly, and Lucid’s range advantage is genuinely compelling for road-trip-oriented families. If the Gravity can match its specs with reliable build quality, Lucid has a real path forward.

For more luxury EV analysis, read the Porsche vs Audi EV split and the Model S impact analysis.

About the Author: Taha Abbasi is a technology executive, CTO, and applied frontier tech builder. Read more on Grokpedia | YouTube: The Brown Cowboy | tahaabbasi.com