Putting the Cold-Weather EV Myth to the Test
Every winter, a chorus of skeptics insists that electric vehicles are fundamentally unsuited to cold climates. Range drops, batteries struggle, and traction disappears -- or so the narrative goes. The 2026 Lucid Air Touring, subjected to a week of genuine Minnesota winter punishment, offers a compelling rebuttal. During blizzard conditions, sub-zero wind chills, and roads blanketed with fresh snow, the electric luxury sedan performed with a level of poise and traction that recalls the golden era of Audi quattro all-wheel-drive supremacy.
The Air Touring sits just above the entry-level rear-drive Pure trim and represents the most affordable path to Lucid's dual-motor all-wheel-drive system. That powertrain produces 620 horsepower and a staggering 885 pound-feet of torque from a 92-kilowatt-hour battery connected to a 700-plus-volt architecture. The result is a 3.4-second sprint to 60 mph and a top speed of 140 mph. Those numbers are impressive on dry pavement, but the real revelation came on snow-covered Minnesota highways.
Blizzard-Proof Traction Without a Winter Mode
Equipped with Pirelli Sottozero 3 winter tires, the Air carved through blizzard-like conditions without once spinning a wheel or triggering a traction control warning light. At the same time, Ford Escapes in adjacent lanes were losing grip and fishtailing. The anti-lock braking system never engaged, and the regenerative braking system continued to support one-pedal driving without hesitation. Perhaps the most surprising detail is that Lucid does not even offer a dedicated winter driving mode -- the standard calibration of its traction and stability systems proved more than sufficient.
The Air's 5,009-pound curb weight undoubtedly contributes to its planted feel on slippery surfaces. But mass alone does not explain the level of confidence the car inspires. Credit belongs to Lucid's traction control tuning, which distributes power between the front and rear motors with a precision that feels instinctive rather than intrusive. One morning, the snowplow had left a berm at the end of the driveway nearly as tall as the car's headlights. The Air simply backed through it without drama and later plowed back in the same way.
Design That Stands Apart in a Blob-Shaped Era
Aesthetically, the Air remains one of the most distinctive vehicles on sale. Short overhangs, a long hood, a low roofline, and slim LED lighting elements give it a silhouette that carries hints of vintage Citroen. The clamshell trunk design is a conversation starter, and the proportions look especially striking when the car is dusted with fresh snow. Inside, Lucid takes the sensible approach of preserving physical controls where they count: column-mounted stalks, climate toggles, a turbine-shaped volume knob, and tactile steering wheel buttons all coexist with a sweeping 34-inch curved 5K display and a 12.5-inch center touchscreen.
At just 4.9 inches of ground clearance, the Air is not a vehicle designed for deep snow exploration. Yet it managed to scrape through accumulated drifts and plow berms that would have given pause to many crossovers. Range naturally takes a hit in extreme cold, as it does with every EV, but the 92-kWh pack and Lucid's industry-leading efficiency help mitigate the penalty. For buyers who grew up appreciating the all-weather confidence of classic all-wheel-drive sedans, the Lucid Air Touring makes a persuasive case that the electric future can deliver that same reassurance -- and then some.
