My Kids Are Complaining About Getting Nauseous When Riding in the Back of My Lucid Air, And They Aren’t the Only Ones

Motion sickness isn’t usually something you associate with a flagship luxury EV. But a number of Lucid owners are starting to notice something strange. Passengers in the back aren’t always having a great time. From kids feeling queasy on longer drives to adults commenting on discomfort too, it’s a conversation that’s catching traction among owners.

One of those voices is Greg Dubas, who shared his story in the "Lucid Owners Club" Facebook group. His kids began mentioning nausea when they rode in the back of his Lucid Air, something they’d never complained about in any other car. Then a guest passenger said the same. So Greg did what most parents would do and he swapped seats to see what his kids were feeling firsthand.

In his own words, Greg explained: “Curious if anyone has heard the same about riding in the back. So my kids are constantly complaining about getting nauseous when riding in the back of the Lucid but not any other car. Then I drove someone else and they also complained about getting nauseous. Now before anyone says it's my driving it's not. So yesterday our family went out and I rode in the back, and I had no issues. That said, I did notice a few things. First, the AC vents in the rear are not good. At full blast I couldn't even feel it. They should have added vents at the top. Other than that the leg room is ridiculous. The only thing I could think of about the nausea is the regen braking is more pronounced in the back.”

An Unexpected Side Effect EVs

The Lucid Air is known for its stunning design, smooth ride, and elite cabin space. But as more owners report their real-world experiences, subtle flaws are showing up, and these are ones that you wouldn’t expect from a six-figure luxury vehicle.

Rear seat motion sickness may not be something automakers account for in performance testing, but it turns out that regenerative braking and ride dynamics might all contribute to how passengers feel, especially in the rear. And Lucid’s extremely quiet and cushioned ride could be amplifying that sensation in unexpected ways.

One driver who recently put both the Lucid Air and Rivian R1S to the test on long road trips found that only one of those vehicles made sense for long journeys. It's that kind of comparison makes you wonder: could cabin comfort for back seat passengers be a bigger factor than people realize?

The Community Joins In

When Greg shared his experience, other Lucid and EV owners chimed in with some similar stories. What’s interesting is how aligned the explanations were, and how they linked nausea not to the car’s appearance or road conditions, but to something deeper in the EV driving experience.

Jamie Boyd gave a direct answer: “Yes it is an issue. Try turning off the regen braking and driving like a normal car might help. It’s the constant speed up and instant slow down if you don’t throttle easily off the gas. As the regen, especially on standard, is aggressive in 1 pedal driving.”

Jamie’s point echoes what many long-time EV owners have noticed. Regenerative braking, particularly in single-pedal driving modes, can introduce a jerky rhythm if not carefully managed. It can feel subtle in the front, but for those in the back where the visual reference is limited and the movement is more exaggerated, it may hit harder.

Jim Baker shared a cross-brand comparison: “Everyone, front or back seat, got car sickness in my Tesla from regen brakes. Big reason I traded it in for a Lucid. The regen can be controlled or turned off.”

Jim’s experience highlights something important. While Tesla made regen braking standard and mostly non-adjustable for years, Lucid gives drivers more control. That ability to reduce or disable regen might be a relief for those who are sensitive to motion sickness.

But even within Lucid ownership, experiences vary. Ned Mohammad added some nuance: “My kids often say the same, but only if the ride is an hour or more. No complaints during the shorter rides.”

This hints at duration as a potential multiplier as well. If back seat passengers are getting exposed to these forces for an extended period of time, then even minor motion discomfort can slowly build into full-on nausea during long rides.

Interestingly, concerns about Lucid’s cabin quirks have appeared in other places too. One new owner who just ordered a 2025 Lucid after leaving Tesla found themselves hesitating after reading through forum posts about real-world complaints. And while nausea wasn’t always front and center, interior comfort often was.

What’s Really Causing This Nausea?

Let’s break down in detail what might actually be at play here.

• Lack of airflow in rear seats: If passengers can’t feel airflow directly on them, especially in a rear-biased cabin layout, they’ll be more prone to overheating and discomfort. Greg noticed this himself, calling out the weak rear AC vents as a key problem.
• Enhanced regenerative braking: This tech is great for energy efficiency and smoother driving, but it creates a deceleration curve that feels very different from traditional braking. When seated in the rear, this can feel like sudden forward jolts without warning.
• Visual disconnect: Rear passengers have fewer forward visual cues to sync with. If they feel movement without seeing it, especially on curvy roads or stop-start traffic, the risk of motion sickness increases.
• Seat position and ride height: The Lucid’s low-slung rear seat posture can increase vertical movement, especially on highways or poorly paved roads.

Combine all of this with a quiet, vibration-free ride and you get a cabin that feels smooth but might be more disorienting for those not in control of the vehicle.

Bigger Than Lucid

As mentioned earlier, this issue goes beyond just one brand. The regenerative braking phenomenon has come up in multiple EV circles, from Teslas to Rivians, and the reaction varies. Some drivers love the one-pedal feel while others find it jarring when passengers start complaining.

But it's not just this issue for some Lucid owners. Other who switched from Tesla though they were moving up in comfort and consistency, but found that the charging experience was frustrating and that the ride not quite perfect either. So there are some trade-offs often hidden beneath glossy design and powerful specs.

That's why I think stories like Greg’s are reminders that luxury isn’t always about power or tech, it’s about how a car makes every passenger feel. A lot of us spend time comparing things like horsepower and range, which is fine, but we sometimes forget how crucial small things like airflow, seat angle, and motion tuning can be. Lucid’s cabin already feels like a glimpse into the future, but that also makes it the perfect place to rethink what true comfort means in an EV. So with thoughtful features like adjustable regenerative braking, I still think Lucid is making promising strides in that direction.

Key Takeaways

• Rear seat nausea in EVs may be linked to aggressive regenerative braking, poor airflow, or prolonged ride time.
• Lucid’s rear vents may not provide adequate cooling, which can amplify motion sickness symptoms on longer trips.
• Regen braking, while great for efficiency, may feel disorienting to rear passengers who lack visual input and control.
• Drivers can often reduce passenger discomfort by adjusting regen settings or switching to a more gradual driving style.

For more insight into how Lucid compares to competitors, one owner chose the Lucid Air Touring over Tesla and BMW and offered some compelling early impressions.

I've Said Enough, Now It's Your Turn

Have you ever had passengers complain of motion sickness in your EV? Was it related to regen braking, A/C, or something else?

And if you own a Lucid, have you found any settings or tricks that make the back seat more comfortable for longer trips?

I'd love to hear what you have to say in our comments below. 

Aram Krajekian is a young automotive journalist bringing a fresh perspective to his coverage of the evolving automotive landscape. Follow Aram on X and LinkedIn for daily news coverage about cars.

Image Sources: The “Lucid Owners Club” public Facebook group.