A well-known automotive YouTuber, Jason Fenske, recently brought to light significant dissatisfaction with his 2025 Lucid Air Touring, citing a range of software and hardware deficiencies. In an exemplary display of corporate responsiveness, Lucid Motors promptly addressed these criticisms, acknowledging its own shortcomings and detailing a comprehensive plan for product enhancement and customer satisfaction. The company committed to implementing various software patches and preparing a major user experience overhaul, UX 3.0, slated for release in the coming autumn. Furthermore, Lucid is actively developing solutions for hardware issues, such as a recalcitrant front trunk and a problematic cup holder design, with revised components expected in early 2026. This open dialogue between a critic and a manufacturer highlights the evolving landscape of electric vehicle development and the importance of direct feedback in driving innovation and quality improvements.
Lucid Motors Addresses Criticisms and Unveils Improvement Strategy
In a notable turn of events that unfolded in January 2026, Jason Fenske, the influential creator behind the YouTube channel “Engineering Explained,” publicly voiced his profound disappointment with his recently leased 2025 Lucid Air Touring. His candid review, which quickly garnered over a million views, detailed a litany of issues ranging from software glitches affecting plug-and-charge functionality and automatically activating heated seats for his dog, to mechanical flaws like a stiff cup holder and an unreliable front trunk. Fenske, who initially leased the vehicle due to his belief in Lucid's engineering prowess, found himself confronted with unexpected imperfections.
Lucid Motors, the California-based electric vehicle manufacturer, swiftly engaged with Fenske following his critique. The company openly admitted its current position was "not happy" and revealed an internal organizational restructuring that had occurred prior to Fenske's video. Lucid assured Fenske that significant efforts were underway to address the reported issues. In response, the automaker has already rolled out several software updates to rectify existing bugs and plans a major user experience enhancement, UX 3.0, scheduled for an early autumn release. Regarding hardware concerns, Lucid is actively designing a fix for the problematic front trunk and a revised cup holder, with the latter anticipated for production in the first half of 2026. However, Fenske's most significant unresolved concern pertains to the driver-profile system, which he believes lacks the intuitive profile-switching capabilities found in competitors like Tesla. Lucid clarified that its Android-based system presents more complex customization challenges compared to Tesla's Linux-based platform, suggesting this particular issue may not see an immediate resolution.
Despite Lucid's proactive measures, Fenske, with roughly two and a half years remaining on his lease, expressed ongoing skepticism. While acknowledging the company's efforts, he indicated a strong inclination to return the vehicle rather than continue with the lease, underscoring the high expectations consumers hold for luxury electric vehicles. This situation serves as a compelling case study in brand transparency and customer relations within the rapidly evolving automotive sector.
The proactive and transparent response from Lucid Motors to a prominent critic offers valuable insights into the dynamic relationship between automotive brands and their informed consumer base. It underscores the critical role of public feedback, especially from influential voices, in holding companies accountable and spurring genuine improvements. This incident also highlights the complexities involved in developing cutting-edge technology, particularly the challenges of integrating diverse software and hardware systems. Ultimately, Lucid's commitment to addressing its product's shortcomings, while not fully appeasing Fenske, demonstrates a commendable willingness to adapt and evolve in a competitive market. For consumers, this narrative reinforces the importance of thorough research and the power of collective voice in shaping product development and customer service standards.