ES 350h vs Lucid Air
Lexus brings the ES 350h; Lucid answers with the Lucid Air. Both play in the midsize luxury car class. Neither car runs away with this one; most of the differences are small enough to shrug off. One more thing to weigh: a launch price difference of $21,200, with the ES 350h as the lower-priced option.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance Lucid Air wins
- Space & Practicality Tie
- Off-road & Towing Tie
- Price ES 350h wins
Key Differences
-
The Lucid Air has 186 hp more power
The ES 350h gives up a lot on total system output: 244 hp, compared with 430 hp on the Lucid Air. More power helps with merging, overtaking and climbing hills, especially with passengers and luggage on board.
-
The ES 350h has
The ES 350h lists 61.2 in for height, against 55.5 in for the Lucid Air. Neither is better; it depends on what you prefer. Neither is better in general; it depends on your garage and your preferences.
Design & Size
- ES 350h 202.4 in × 75.6 in × 61.2 in
- Lucid Air 195.9 in × 76.3 in × 55.5 in
If compact matters to you, the Lucid Air is the one to look at. The ES 350h is physically larger all round.
Dimensions
| Spec | ES 350h | Lucid Air |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 202.4 in | 195.9 in |
| Width (no mirrors) | 75.6 in | 76.3 in |
| Height | 61.2 in | 55.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 116.1 in | 116.5 in |
Engine & Performance
Lucid Air leads
The Lucid Air wins the engine & performance section decisively. The Lucid Air brings 186 hp more power. The Lucid Air’s extra output gives it more in reserve when you need to get up to speed. Prioritize engine & performance, and the Lucid Air is where you should land.
Total system output
ES 350h: 244 hp Lucid Air: 430 hp Power is only part of the story; weight, gearing and torque delivery shape how quick a car feels.
Space & Practicality
Too close to call
There’s no meaningful winner in the space & practicality section; the two are too close to separate. So space & practicality is a non-factor here; move on to the areas where they actually differ.
Off-road & Towing
Too close to call
On off-road & towing, the ES 350h and the Lucid Air are effectively level. The off-road & towing verdict: no winner, and no reason to worry either way.
Safety & Tech
This area doesn’t reduce to a single number. The table shows the safety & tech details for both, so you can judge what matters to you.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | ES 350h | Lucid Air |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Hybrid | Battery electric |
| Engine | 2.5L I4 hybrid | Single rear electric motor |
| Total system output | 244 hp Least powerful in class | 430 hp (winner) |
| Transmission | eCVT | Single-speed direct drive |
| Drivetrain | FWD (AWD available) | RWD (AWD available) |
Fuel Economy & Range
| Spec | ES 350h | Lucid Air |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined)EPA estimate where available | 46 mpg Most efficient in class | N/A (not specified) |
| Fuel economy (city) | 48 mpg Best city economy | N/A (not specified) |
| Fuel economy (highway) | 44 mpg Best highway economy | N/A (not specified) |
| Electric range | N/A (not specified) | 420 mi Longest electric range |
| Fuel tank | 14.5 gal | N/A (not specified) |
Space & Practicality
| Spec | ES 350h | Lucid Air |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Cargo (behind rear seats) | 13.3 cu ft | N/A (not specified) |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | ES 350h | Lucid Air |
|---|---|---|
| AWD / 4WD available | Yes | Yes |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | ES 350h | Lucid Air |
|---|---|---|
| Largest touchscreen | 14 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Basic warranty | 4 yr / 50,000 mi | 4 yr / 50,000 mi |
Dimensions
| Spec | ES 350h | Lucid Air |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 202.4 in | 195.9 in |
| Width (no mirrors) | 75.6 in | 76.3 in |
| Height | 61.2 in | 55.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 116.1 in | 116.5 in |
Price
| Spec | ES 350h | Lucid Air |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | $49,700 (winner) Lowest price in class | $70,900 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
In launch price, the ES 350h is the clear budget pick, coming in $21,200 (43%) below the Lucid Air. Spending the extra $21,200 on the Lucid Air gets you 186 hp more power over the ES 350h.
These are US launch prices, recorded October 2025; what you pay today may be higher or lower.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the ES 350h if…
- you’re working to a firm budget and $21,200 matters
- you find that bigger suits the way you use a car
- you’re loyal to Lexus and happy with it
Choose the Lucid Air if…
- you merge, overtake or climb hills with a full load (430 hp vs 244 hp)
- you want the more compact car
- you already know your way around Lucid’s products
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the ES 350h or the Lucid Air?
If value matters, the ES 350h is the smarter buy: it costs $21,200 less than the Lucid Air at launch.
Is the ES 350h bigger than the Lucid Air?
The Lucid Air is actually the more compact one. It measures 195.9 × 76.3 × 55.5 in, while the ES 350h comes in at 202.4 × 75.6 × 61.2 in.
Which costs less, the ES 350h or the Lucid Air?
Going by launch prices, the ES 350h costs $21,200 less than the Lucid Air. Prices as of October 2025; current offers may differ.
Executive Summary
I’ll be upfront: I have no stake in whether you buy Lexus or Lucid. I only care that you end up with the right one of the ES 350h and the Lucid Air. Fairness check: the Lucid Air does come with 186 hp more power.
I’d steer price fans toward the ES 350h and engine & performance fans toward the Lucid Air.
My pick: the ES 350h, since I think the $21,200 gap buys less than it should.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.