Lucid Cosmos leaked: Patent images reveal US brand's Tesla Model Y rival

Lucid’s new Tesla Model Y rival appears to have been revealed in a series of US patent drawings showing the electric SUV, including what looks to be its hero performance version, ahead of its expected late-2026 unveiling.

Spotted by Carscoops, the drawings of what appears to be the Lucid Cosmos – not officially confirmed as such by the US automaker – show off the SUV’s overall design.

The Cosmos is expected to be one of three new models sharing the same ‘Atlas’ 800-volt underpinnings.

A mid-size electric SUV, the Cosmos is set to rival the Tesla Model Y, which topped Australian new-car sales for the first time in May 2026. It would also compete with the Zeekr 7X launched here late last year and the upcoming BMW iX3.

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Expected to be revealed later this year before entering production in 2027 as a 2028 model, the Cosmos is tipped to start at around US$50,000 in North America.

California-based electric automaker Lucid is not currently sold in Australia, but is set to launch in the UK in December 2026 with these new mid-size models, which slot in under the existing Air large sedan and seven-seat Gravity SUV. These larger models are produced exclusively in left-hand drive and are already on sale in the US, Europe and the Middle East.

With right-hand-drive models planned, this could open the door for the brand to launch here as an electric-only luxury marque, rivalling the likes of Polestar and Cadillac.

The drawings published by Carscoops show the Cosmos adopting a similar front-end design to the flagship Gravity, while its side profile features softer lines leading into an integrated dovetail-style rear spoiler.

An additional spoiler sits higher on the rear windscreen, while Lucid lettering – as seen on the brand’s other models – is positioned between the tail-lights, bucking the trend for full-width light bars seen on the Model Y and 7X.

The filings also show different front-end treatments, suggesting multiple model grades, with some drawings featuring a significantly larger lower bumper opening than others.

There are also variations of the rear design, again indicating styling changes across the Cosmos lineup to distinguish different variants.

Lucid has confirmed the Cosmos will include a flagship performance version to take on the Model Y Performance, claiming a 0-60mph (0-96km/h) sprint time of 3.5 seconds – just 0.2 seconds slower than Tesla’s claimed figure.

Elements of the interior, previously teased by the automaker, are also visible, including a large display integrating the instrument cluster and infotainment screens, as well as a centre console incorporating rear passenger air vents.

The Lucid Air, launched in 2021, remains the brand’s top-selling model, while the Gravity entered production in 2024.

Lucid sold 15,841 electric vehicles (EVs) in 2025, representing year-on-year growth of 55 per cent, and has previously targeted production of between 25,000 and 27,000 vehicles in 2026.

This remains relatively small compared to Tesla, which – despite a sales slump – delivered 1,640,752 vehicles globally last year.

In Australia alone, 22,239 Model Ys were sold in 2025, making it the country’s best-selling EV.

MORE: Lucid another step closer to Australian launch as Cosmos SUV reveal draws near