Watch a drag race between Tesla's Model S Plaid and the Lucid Air

Now that the Lucid Air is a practical reality, there is a looming question: how well does it fare in a drag race against the other well-known electric luxury sedan, the Model S Plaid. You have a better idea. The outcome of a quarter-mile faceoff between the Air and Model S Plaid is expected but still full of insights.

The Model S Plaid won three of the four runs, including one with a rolling start. It has a shorter claimed time of 1.99 seconds, and its lighter curb weight helps offset the lack of power. The drag strip prep mode was not enabled by the car. The Model S is still your pick for raw acceleration if you cross-shop these EVs.

The Model S Plaid's launch mode was not engaged when the Lucid Air won the race. It is worth considering if you are more interested in green light races than drag strips. The Air can be preconditioned for better straight-line performance, and it is currently focused more on luxury and efficiency than speed.

The Houston-area strip was not ideal between chilly temperatures and strong winds. You will likely see faster times elsewhere. The video is worthwhile because it gives a rare chance to see how different electric car platforms manage in real conditions. It shows how far the EV has come, and it also shows how far away from the four-door people carriers you used to think of.