The Lexus LM might be the Japanese luxury brand’s first people carrier, but the LM has been available in its home market since 2019 and is itself, a development of the Toyota Alphard that has been available in home markets since 2002.
Whilst the idea of a Lexus MPV might be new to the UK market, the company believes there will be a market for this car in Europe. In fact, it anticipated that it had more interest than allocation for the LM last year.
Design and interior
The styling is tall and slim, with the key identifiers that this is a Lexus being the large grille and chrome highlights. However, just as a Lexus people carrier sounds odd, the LM looks like no rival, which we think is a good thing – it’s cool in a kind of manga way. Although it is closest in dimensions to the Mercedes V-Class.
Inside, the driver and passenger compartments are split by a glass partition, that can be raised or lowered, or even turned opaque, at the touch of a button. So, we’ll talk about the driving compartment first. That partition, plus the tall dashboard, centre console and window line initially make the LM’s driving position seem cramped, but once you’re in it’s fine and quite comfortable. The dashboard design might be different, but the instruments, infotainment, and switchgear all feel very familiar from other current Toyota models.
The real wow factor of the LM is when you open the powered sliding side doors accessing the rear. There are six-seater versions, but we had the four-seat Takumi version, which means two leather-trimmed captain’s chairs, and in business class style, they are heated, cooled, have a massaging function, are power operated, and can be folded almost flat into a bed!
Just like a plane, there are even two smartphone-sized tablets that are part of the armrests, from where passengers can control the climate, adjust the seat, and the sound from the excellent Mark Levinson sound system, which has a total of 23 speakers.
That’s not the end of the luxury, as part of the partition with the driver compartment contains a 48in ultrawide display. Plus, there’s a fridge below it, all four rear windows have blinds, and there are also twin sunroofs on either side of the control panel in the roof.
If the seats and screen don’t impress, the amount of space will. That, and the active noise cancellation make for a very relaxed area – well so said my passengers!
Talking of that screen, its real job is for mobile office meetings, but we found it also works very well at playing movies to keep your children busy on long journeys. Well, once you’ve figured out how to connect via the fiddly ‘Miracast’ option!
Performance and drive
Underneath, the LM has more to do with the NX and RX SUVs than vans, as this Lexus shares the same platform. At the front, this means a 190hp, 2.5-litre Atkinson Cycle petrol engine, combined with a 182hp electric motor, and a 1.3 kWh battery. Total output is 247hp, but it never feels that quick, with a 9.1 second 0-62mph acceleration time, mostly because of the slow-reacting CVT transmission.
The 163g/km CO2 emissions seem quite impressive when compared to rivals such as the Mercedes V220D AMG-Line, which has 192g/km emissions. However, the Mercedes does seat seven, and costs from £74,670. This Lexus costs over £113,000, with the four-seat option!
On the road, apart from the performance, the LM is an impressively polished performer. The ride is refined, like a big saloon, but as a result there’s more body roll than you might expect – although grip from the modest 19in wheels is good. Also considering this Lexus’s size, it is impressively easy to manoeuvre, with standard ‘Park Assist’.
More impressive to be driven in than to drive, the Lexus offers a competent, if unusual alternative limousine to saloon and SUV rivals – at a price.
Positive: Quality interior finish and attention to detail, rear space, Lexus credibility and reliability.
Negative: Unusual design won’t appeal to all, not much fun to drive, fiddly interior controls, slow CVT transmission.
Standard equipment: Front and dual-zone air-conditioning, heated wooden steering wheel, Intelligent Park Assist with Auto Parking, leather trim, heated and ventilated front seats, LED headlights, 19in alloy wheels, heated and folding door mirrors, 21-speaker Mark Levinson 3D Surround Sound System, 14in rear monitor.
Engines: Hybrid: 247hp
Equipment grades: LM350h, Takumi
Transmission: CVT automatic
| Model | Lexus LM350h Takumi four-seater AWD |
| P11D | £112,305 |
| Residual value | TBC |
| Depreciation | TBC |
| Fuel | £7,985 |
| Service, maintenance and repair | TBC |
| Cost per mile | TBC |
| Fuel consumption | 39.2mpg |
| CO2 (BIK%) | 163g/km (37%) |
| BIK 20/40% a month | £692/£1,385 |
| Luggage capacity | 110 litres |
| Engine size/power | 2,487cc + electric motor/247hp |
| Score | 8/10 |
