One of the First People to See Lucid’s Next Sub $50k SUV Concept Says He Was “Completely Shocked,” Arguing Its Model Y–Sized Cabin and Full-Width Display Should Have Tesla Worried

Every so often, a rumor surfaces in the automotive underworld that carries the texture of truth. Not a marketing leak disguised as corporate theater, but the kind of raw, unfiltered intelligence that feels like it fell out of a locked conference room by accident. That is the atmosphere surrounding Lucid’s quietly advancing mid-size SUV program. 

The company that stunned the industry with the Air and set its sights higher with the Gravity appears to be sharpening its focus on something far more consequential in volume terms. If accurate, what emerged on Reddit this week could signal a strategic play aimed squarely at the Model Y and Rivian’s forthcoming R2.

“Updated post:

I had the chance to experience Lucid's mid-size SUV (still calling it "Lucid Earth" until they settle on a name) up close. Here are my initial impressions:

Local Manufacturing Depth: The Saudi AMP-2 plant is producing a wide range of components in-house, not just assembly, including the powertrain. Exports from the KAEC facility will target the GCC, Europe, and parts of the U.S.?

Size & Positioning: It’s roughly Model Y-sized (or comparable to ICE crossovers like the Lexus RX). Lucid’s design DNA is unmistakable, yet it feels refined and distinct. It doesn’t overlap with Gravity’s family-SUV/minivan role. If Lucid avoids the teething issues seen in Air/Gravity and gains market acceptance, local ICE brands could face serious sales pressure. Model Y owners shouldn’t feel too comfortable either, especially without an FSD equivalent. The pricing is aggressively competitive if everything aligns.

Interior & Practicality: Cabin space matches the Model Y on paper but feels roomier in the rear. Frunk and trunk are both excellent. The full-width screen dramatically elevates the cockpit’s premium feel (final experience will hinge on software and processing power). Thoughtful cuts, compartments, and details, like Gravity-style cup holders, stand out.

Canopy Glass: Treated for better heat rejection and durability; adding the roof rack as a shade layer works brilliantly.

Performance Specs: Range and horsepower are highly competitive with the Model Y -on "paper" at least?.

Off-Road Trim: There’s a Gravity X–X-style off-road package… and it’s impressive.

Pricing Impact: If they hit the anticipated range, luxury ICE SUVs here in Saudi Arabia will face some struggle. In the U.S., it’s a direct shot across Tesla’s Model Y. Tesla might want to take notes.”
 (.Source: u/m2b999, r/Lucid)

Commenters pressed the poster for details and received them with unusual precision. When asked about the front fascia, the answer was that it resembled the Air more than the Gravity, only with a cleaner execution. When pressed on interior personality, the verdict was that it leaned closer to the Gravity’s upright sophistication rather than the Air’s lounge-like environment. One commenter compared the packaging strategy to the Gravity versus Model X relationship and suggested that the so-called Earth might be performing a similar trick on the Model Y. It was an analogy the original poster agreed with without hesitation.

What We Know About Lucid’s Next SUV

• The Lucid Earth is slated to be a more affordable, mid-size electric SUV under Lucid’s luxury Air and Gravity models. It is expected to debut at around US $48,000 base price and enter production in late 2026 (possibly model year 2027-28).
• The vehicle is intended for high-volume production and will be built (at least partially) overseas (e.g., Saudi Arabia) to help meet cost and scale targets, the goal being to bring Lucid’s technology to a broader market, not just ultra-premium segments.
• According to then-CEO Peter Rawlinson, Lucid’s mission with models like the Earth is to “move EV technology forward” and scale efficiency and innovation. He emphasised that efficiency, aerodynamics, and lowering battery costs matter just as much as performance.
• In terms of competition, the Rivian R2 is positioned as a more mass-market SUV electric model (starting around US $45,000 with a targeted 300+-mile range), aiming directly at what the Tesla Model Y dominates.
• Meanwhile, the Model Y is already the global best-selling EV and has scale, charging infrastructure, and mature tech on its side.
• For Lucid Earth to succeed, it will need to deliver the kind of efficiency and technology Lucid has championed (e.g., high range, lightweight architecture, effective cost control) while competing with models like the Model Y and Rivian R2 in size, price, and feature set. Rawlinson indicated the company sees itself as distinct from competitors by focusing on “technology first” rather than just brand or luxury.

The material choices described in the thread suggest that Lucid is making practical revisions to past decisions. The fixed rectangular door handles represent a controlled retreat from theatrics in favor of reliability. The improved canopy glass, mentioned by both the commenter and the OP, indicates Lucid has taken heat management seriously in markets where it can be a make-or-break issue. Another commenter raised the possibility of electrochromatic roofing, noting its increasing adoption in European models. While the OP did not confirm such a feature, the implication that Lucid is refining its glass technology aligns with the broader narrative of incremental but meaningful engineering evolution.

The full-width screen attracted significant attention in the thread, both for its ambitious presence and its dependence on strong software support. Lucid has earned praise for its hardware prowess, yet it is no secret that the software experience has sometimes lagged behind the excellence of its physical components. The Reddit OP emphasized that the beauty of the display will rely heavily on processing power and user interface optimization. It is a fair assessment and one that Lucid must address if it intends for this mid-size SUV to contend seriously with Tesla in the segment where software sophistication often shapes customer loyalty.

Where the information becomes particularly interesting is the manufacturing angle. Lucid’s Saudi AMP-2 and KAEC facilities appear to be moving beyond simple assembly, according to the OP’s account. Producing a broader range of components in-house could allow Lucid to bring this vehicle to market at a price point that reaches well below the Air and Gravity without compromising capability. The possibility of exports from these plants to the GCC, Europe, and parts of the United States paints a picture of supply chain flexibility that could reduce costs and increase production stability. In a segment where hitting a sub-fifty-thousand-dollar price is essential for volume, this kind of strategic manufacturing matters.

The off-road package mentioned almost casually in the thread might be more strategically important than it appears. With Rivian building its brand identity on adventure credibility, offering a capable off-road trim on a compact SUV could position Lucid directly in front of R2 shoppers. If the package draws from Gravity X DNA, as the OP suggests, Lucid could attract buyers who want something versatile and premium without the bulk of a full-size SUV. Combined with a cabin reportedly roomier than the Model Y despite similar exterior dimensions, the potential market impact becomes clearer.

Whether the poster actually saw a preproduction vehicle or simply produced a remarkably detailed fiction is irrelevant to the larger point. The information has struck a nerve because it aligns with the direction many observers expected Lucid to move toward. A premium compact SUV with competitive range, a carefully considered interior, refined exterior styling, and a global manufacturing plan is precisely the kind of vehicle that could elevate Lucid from niche luxury manufacturer to genuine mainstream competitor. If the vehicle exists as described, Tesla and Rivian would have every reason to monitor their mirrors a little more closely.

Image Sources: Lucid Media Center

Noah Washington is an automotive journalist based in Atlanta, Georgia. He enjoys covering the latest news in the automotive industry and conducting reviews on the latest cars. He has been in the automotive industry since 15 years old and has been featured in prominent automotive news sites. You can reach him on X and LinkedIn for tips and to follow his automotive coverage.