The 516-Mile Luxury EV That Lost $49,450 In 6,500 Miles Is Now A Used Bargain
By: Kyle Francis (CarBuzz)
Why would someone pay $115,000 for a non-descript, butt ugly vehicle? The two-tone interior shown in the article is stomach churning. And I don't have a lot of faith in the quality of a vehicle that treats a steering wheel as a design gimmick.
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Whichever way you look at it, buying a new luxury car is expensive, no matter which part of the sector you look at. Even a base BMW 330i will set you back just shy of $50k, while something further up the ladder, like a Lexus GX SUV, demands closer to $70k before you even contemplate any options. Then you come to proper high-end luxury machines, like the Lucid Air. While entry-level examples of the model can be had for around $70,000, opt for a more powerful and well-stocked version, and you'll be paying comfortably north of $100,000.
This is far out of reach for most vehicle buyers, seeing as the average new car cost in the US stands at just $50k. That said, depreciation is making dreams happen, and much quicker than you might have initially expected.
Lucid's Upper-End Sedan Sounds Unattainable For Most
From the outset, the Lucid Air Grand Touring, which sits below the range-topping Sapphire in the model lineup, sounds like an impossible task for many new car buyers. Even before you select any options from the menu, you'll need to get your hands on just under $115,000 for one, with a few extras ballooning the price closer to the $130k mark. When you consider the performance the Air Grand Touring is capable of though, this price becomes more understandable.
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2022-Present Lucid Air Grand Touring |
|
|---|---|
|
Engine |
Dual electric motors |
|
Transmission |
Single speed |
|
Power |
819 hp |
|
Torque |
885 lb-ft |
|
0-60 mph |
3.0 seconds |
|
Range |
480-512 miles |
It comes with a potent dual-motor electric powertrain, which provides a supercar-threatening 819 horsepower. The electric motors are shared between the front and rear axles, too, meaning you have all-wheel drive at your disposal to help put that power onto the road without sitting in a cloud of smoke every time you so much as tickle the throttle. Thanks to the instant torque delivery of the electric powertrain, the Air GT will blast to 60 mph in a blazing three seconds flat. This means you'll be showing pretty much every Aston Martin out there a clean pair of heels, as well as other powerful hybrid supercars like the Acura NSX.
The Air GT Works Great On Longer Trips
The news gets better, too. While most high-end performance cars that can breach the 60-mph barrier in three seconds or less will drink gas like a thirsty cheetah, the Air GT is impressively efficient. According to Lucid, an Air GT equipped with the smaller 19-inch wheel option can run for 512 miles on a single charge, which is currently the highest of any EV sold in the US. Even if you prefer form to function and opt for the larger 21-inch wheels, 480 miles should still be within reach.
Then, once you've completed your long trip, you can simply return home and charge it up using your relatively cheap power plan. All sounds amazing, right? Well, yes, but you have to pay a huge amount of money for the privilege, so for most it'll simply remain a dream. Unless you can wait a couple of years.
Used Airs Are Selling At Insane Discounts
According to iSeeCars, the Lucid Air is one of the poorest-performing cars when it comes to depreciation. In just three years, you can expect the vehicle to lose half of its value, which is immensely painful when you've already handed over $115k for the machine. This means that after just 36 months of fun, you'll be fortunate to get $55k of your investment back. Over a five-year span, this depreciation figure increases to a smidge over 62%, which puts it with the Nissan Leafs and Teslas of the world. That said, it still can't match the disastrous performance of the Jaguar I-Pace SUV, which sheds 72% of its worth over the same half-decade period.
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2022-Present Lucid Air Grand Touring Depreciation and Value |
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|---|---|
|
Base MSRP |
$114,900 |
|
Depreciation After 3 Years |
51.4% |
|
Depreciation After 5 Years |
62.7% |
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Depreciation After 10 Years |
79.8% |
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Average Used Value |
$56,108 |
These aren't just numbers on a page either, as there are various real-life examples of Lucid Airs selling for a fraction of their standard value soon after they've been purchased. One of the most eye-opening is a 2025 Air GT sold through Cars&Bids in January 2026. With just 6,500 miles on the clock, and a range of options that added $14k to the base MSRP, you'd think there would be a decent return for the owner. Well, not quite. Amazingly, the car ended up going under the hammer for $75,500, which represents a concerning 39.5% decrease in just a year. Opt for older models, and you can have one for as little as $50k.
Given that simply ridiculous depreciation, it's no surprise that manufacturers are struggling to shift new EV specimens. It is an amazing opportunity for used car buyers though, as you can buy a practically brand-new mid-range luxury sedan for less than a brand-spanking example of the entry-level variant costs after a slender 12-month wait.
Don't expect to make money by buying one yourself either, as by the time the Air GT is 10 years old, it's estimated to have lost just under 80% of its original value. If you enjoy throwing money away, a used Lucid Air GT is a fantastic way to do it.
The Lucid Air GT Is Still An Excellent Car
This is a crying shame, as we reckon the Air is one of the very best luxury EVs on the market today. We loved the Air's striking design when we tested the base Pure version in 2024, while we were also impressed with how luxurious the cabin was compared to its rivals. The build quality was excellent too, and particularly impressive given that the Air is the first car produced by Lucid.
In addition to this, its excellent performance and range only added to the good points, with the only real drawback we could mention being that it's pretty expensive for a car built by a manufacturer that lacks the brand awareness compared to established players like BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
This Heavily Depreciated Luxury Sedan Is Full Of Creature Comforts
Considering the discount you can get on an Air GT, you'll likely be enamored with all the equipment you get for the money. The cabin is undeniably the best part, with it being filled with high-end Nappa leather or eco-friendly PurLuxe leatherette, as well as beautiful-feeling wood trim. The seats are also great, with them boasting heating, cooling, and massage functionality, while also providing 20-way electrical adjustment.
You also get a heated leather steering wheel, while comforts like an electric sunshade and configurable ambient lighting are on hand to make you feel as chilled as humanly possible. There's also a high-end quad-zone climate control system, illustrating the Air GT's positioning as a full-fat high-end luxury companion. Given how far you can travel on a single charge, you'll be grateful for how beautifully appointed and well-built the Air GT is.
Real World Used Pricing For Lucid Air Rivals
There are so few Lucid Air models on the used market right now, however, looking at some of its core rivals, the Tesla Model S and Mercedes-Benz EQS, neither holds their value particularly well either.
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When the main sell point is fluff and design gimmicks then it's no wonder these things depreciate so much, so quickly. Fashion taste is fickle and changes quickly, so design gimmicks lose their appeal sooner rather than later.
I wouldn't want one of these if it were given to me.
Morning Nerm..agree 100%..
EVs are certainly not suited down here and our driving conditions..
The distances alone with hundreds of kilometres between towns etc makes them basically useless..plus I have heard it is mega $$ if and when the batteries need replacing..
Also some people have an EV roll up to recharge and find the charger has been vandalised and they are screwed...
I went into the pizza shop the other night a guy was sitting in his EV waiting for it to charge..I came out 30 minutes later and he is still sitting in it..yep good luck with that..
Here's a car that cost $115,000 and I'm looking at Auto trader and they have a 2023 Lucid Air GT with 9,000 miles on it for $56,000 right now. There's also a 2022 with 23,000 miles for $49,000.