Lucid locks in right-hand drive Cosmos SUV as BMW iX3 rival firms for Australia
Luxury US EV maker Lucid will introduce its first right-hand-drive model in 2026, with the mid-size Cosmos SUV confirmed for markets including the UK – opening the door for the brand to head to Australia.
Positioned as a rival to the next-gen BMW iX3 and upcoming Volvo EX60, the yet-to-be-revealed Cosmos will be built at Lucid’s Saudi-backed Jeddah facility and spearhead the brand’s global expansion.
A larger, off-road-focused Earth SUV will follow, targeting electric versions of the Defender Sport and Mercedes-Benz’s smaller G-Class.
READ MORE: Lucid’s Cosmos, Earth and Lunar models revealed
READ MORE: Lucid reveals luxury electric 4×4: Tough Gravity X is the most advanced mid-size SUV money can buy
READ MORE: 2026 Lucid mid-size SUV to outshine the Tesla Model Y-fighter’s tech and efficiency
Both models sit on a new 800-volt architecture with Lucid’s next-generation Atlas powertrain, which is lighter, more compact and uses fewer components than the current Zeus system.
The Cosmos is claimed to accelerate from 0–97km/h (60mph) in 3.5 seconds.
Lucid has shelved plans to convert the Air sedan and Gravity SUV to right-hand drive for now, citing cost and limited volume potential.
“The volume opportunity really exists with the mid-size cars,” said European boss Lawrence Hamilton.
If the Cosmos succeeds, the Gravity could follow in RHD form.
To be priced from under US$50,000 in the US, the Cosmos will share up to 95 per cent of its components with sibling models to reduce costs and speed up development.
Efficiency is a key focus: Lucid claims a 10 per cent advantage over rivals, enabling a smaller battery and lower running costs. The SUV will also feature 60 per cent less wiring and just three electronic control units.
Design-wise, the five-seat Cosmos adopts a coupe-SUV profile with a drag coefficient of just 0.22.
Inside, a 36-inch display spans the cabin, while physical controls remain for key functions.
Manual door handles and a repair-friendly structure aim to lower insurance costs versus rivals such as the Tesla Model Y.
A third model – the Lunar robotaxi (pictured at the top of this story) – will follow.
While no Australian timing is locked in, the move to RHD production opens the door for Australia.
