Heavyweights With a Need for Speed
Today’s drag race pits three of the quickest, most technologically advanced electric SUVs on sale today: the Lucid Gravity Grand Touring, the Tesla Model X Long Range, and the Rivian R1S Dual Motor Performance. All three target buyers who want family-friendly practicality without sacrificing straight-line performance that rivals dedicated sports cars.
While their headline acceleration figures appear closely matched, each SUV approaches speed differently. Lucid focuses on high-voltage architecture and sustained power delivery, Tesla leans heavily on software to shape acceleration, and Rivian emphasizes aggressive launches aided by suspension and traction tricks. Those differences make a side-by-side drag race far more revealing than spec sheets alone.
Electric SUV Drag Race
To ensure a fair fight, all three SUVs were fully preconditioned and charged to more than 90 percent. Factory wheels and tires were retained, and each vehicle was set up in its most aggressive performance-oriented configuration, including ride height, stability control, and launch procedures where available. The runs were conducted side by side over a roughly quarter-mile stretch, emphasizing real-world acceleration rather than idealized test conditions.
Multiple passes were completed to smooth out driver timing and traction inconsistencies. Beyond full launch-mode starts, the test also included “stoplight” scenarios using everyday drive modes. That added layer revealed how each SUV behaves when drivers don’t have time to dive into menus, a far more realistic reflection of how these vehicles are used on public roads.
The Quietest Quarter-Mile There Was
Run after run, the Lucid Gravity asserted itself as the most consistently quick vehicle in the group. Its launches were clean and drama-free, and once traction was established, it steadily pulled away from the others. The Gravity repeatedly crossed the finish line at around 130 mph, highlighting its ability to deliver sustained power rather than just an initial surge.
The Tesla Model X emerged as the dark horse. Although softer off the line, it came alive from about 60 mph onward, often closing the gap at higher speeds. Despite not coming in its mighty-quick quad-motor specification, the Rivian R1S delivered the most theatrical launches, squatting hard and spinning tires when stability control was reduced. Still, it struggled to keep pace as speeds climbed, especially when suspension height limited power to protect the drivetrain.
Tesla
Paper vs. Real World Performance
This three-way showdown underscores how misleading a single 0-60 mph number can be. The Lucid Gravity’s blend of voltage, traction, and software tuning makes it the most repeatable and effortless performer here, even if it doesn’t feel overwhelmingly faster from behind the wheel. Its advantage lies in consistency and composure.
The Tesla Model X proves that midrange punch matters just as much as launch theatrics, while the Rivian R1S shows how thrilling initial acceleration can come at the cost of higher-speed trade-offs.
In the end, the Gravity claims straight-line bragging rights – but the bigger takeaway is that in modern electric SUVs, how power is managed matters as much as how much power there is.
Rivi
