Lucid's Tesla Model Y competitor to be priced below $50,000

Lucid is preparing to release a 2026 Tesla Model Y competitor with comparable pricing of $50,000, or slightly below. According to Lucid's CEO, the cheaper SUV that will take on the Model Y will be released in 2026 and will likely be followed by a sedan that is smaller and more affordable than the current premium Air lineup shortly after. 

A third cheaper Lucid vehicle built on the same midsize platform will arrive later on, but the CEO declined to mention its form factor. Lucid is following Tesla's path, starting with premium expensive EVs, the revenue from which is then used to develop more affordable models.

It has built a somewhat cult following despite the starting price of its Air Pure sedan being north of $70,000. Even the most basic Lucid trim comes with more than 400 miles of an EPA range estimate, and several tests show that it can go beyond 500 miles on a single charge. Gravity, the first 3-row Lucid SUV, also comes with the longest range in the category, currently holding the top spot in the EPA ranking with 450 miles on a charge out of a much smaller battery than the next vehicle in the list, the Rivian R1T.

Lucid holds several records for the most energy-efficient drivetrain, with more than five miles covered per available kWh of battery capacity. At the same time, its frugal electric motors output more than 400 HP even in the RWD Air version, while the racy tri-motor Sapphire trim easily beats the Tesla Model S Plaid at the drag strip.

Energy efficiency, fast charging, and premium performance are not the only virtues of Lucid's electric vehicles, though. They are also rather distinct in terms of design and come with numerous interior accoutrements that the somewhat bland Tesla cars don't offer. It remains to be seen if Lucid will be able to preserve those advantages in a $50,000 Tesla Model Y competitor, though.

Get the 80A Tesla Gen 2 Wall Connector with 24' cable on Amazon