Lucid's New Hands-Free Tech Is Another Blow For Tesla

Lucid's New Hands-Free Tech Is Another Blow For Tesla originally appeared on Autoblog.

New Driver-Assistance Features Coming for Lucid Air and Gravity models

Whether for bragging rights or as an actual tool to make driving less fatiguing, hands-free driving technologies are becoming more and more popular. From Tesla’s Full Self-Driving suite to GM’s Super Cruise, several automakers now offer hands-free driving on compatible roads. In the case of Tesla, one of the brand’s Model Y’s recently drove itself all the way to its new owner.

Lucid, which has always offered an array of driver-assistance features, is now expanding the suite of driver aids on its models with two new hands-free features. Perhaps it’s surprising that a luxury automaker is offering the tech after mass-market brands like Ford, but better late than never, right?

The new features will also give EV fans one less reason to run to Tesla - the Air Sedan is already outselling its Tesla rival comfortably.

New Features To Be Available Via Software Update

Hands-Free Drive Assist and Hands-Free Lane Change Assist are the two new functions that will be added to Lucid’s optional DreamDrive Pro suite of driver-assistance technologies. Both will be available via an over-the-air update for the Lucid Air sedan on July 30, while owners of the Lucid Gravity SUV will be able to add the new features later in the year.

Related: Lucid Gravity Review: As Close As You Can Get to Perfect

The DreamDrive Pro suite is an option that adds to the DreamDrive Premium suite. The latter includes technologies like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warning, and a driver monitoring system. With DreamDrive Pro, the suite gains an array of sensors made up of LiDAR, ultrasonic sensors, visible-light cameras, and surround-view cameras. Using these, the car can be safely operated with hands off the wheel.

"The addition of these features to Lucid's DreamDrive Pro offers a glimpse into the future that Lucid is building with the impressive capabilities of our software-defined vehicles," said Kai Stepper, Vice President of ADAS and AD at Lucid. "With our in-house software stack, a comprehensive suite of 32 sensors, and regular OTA updates, we have a roadmap to continue to deliver significantly more functionality to our owners in the future."

The DreamDrive Pro suite will add $2,500 to the price of the Air sedan, besides the pricey Sapphire, which gets this suite as standard.

An Already Great Luxury EV Gets Even Better

2025 Lucid Air Touring

View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article

The Air Sedan is one of the finest new luxury EVs you can buy. It has swift acceleration, an upscale and spacious interior, and more range than competitors; depending on the model, the Air can cover up to 512 miles on a single charge. Even the least capable model wearing flashy 21-inch wheels can manage 361 miles, and a recent Air sedan set a new EV range record.

The smooth-riding sedan can now be enjoyed hands-free, and a quick flick of the turn signal stalk allows the car to execute its own lane changes on compatible divided highways. An in-vehicle alert system will let owners know if they’re on a compatible hands-free road, or if visibility and weather conditions are suitable for the functionality.

These new features should further boost Lucid Air sales, which are already looking much better in 2025. For the first half of the year, 5,094 Air Sedans were sold, comfortably outselling rivals like the Porsche Taycan (2,083) and Tesla Model S (2,715).

Related: Only One Tesla Is Selling Better Than It Did Last Year

Lucid's New Hands-Free Tech Is Another Blow For Tesla first appeared on Autoblog on Jul 16, 2025

This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Jul 16, 2025, where it first appeared.