There are folks movers and there are folks movers.
If you get by the preliminary record of sensible choices just like the Kia Carnival and Hyundai Staria, to the dearer issues just like the Mercedes-Benz V-Class, you ultimately come to what’s finest described as what would occur if Rolls-Royce constructed a folks mover, nevertheless it was dependable… and that will be the brand new Lexus LM.
Let’s tackle the elephant within the room first, as a result of this isn’t a standard automobile you’ll anticipate from Lexus. This isn’t an SUV, a standard long-wheelbase sedan, or a beautiful two-door sports activities automotive. No, this can be a van from Toyota somebody at Lexus thought could be epic to show right into a mega luxurious VIP service.
Though Lexus has largely moved away from utilizing Toyota platforms in its sedans and sports activities vehicles, its core SUVs nonetheless share underpinnings with their cheaper different. The second-generation LM (the primary by no means got here to Australia) relies on the identical TNGA-Okay platform because the fourth-generation Toyota Alphard and Vellfire.
Is {that a} unhealthy factor? By no means as a result of this isn’t about energy, dealing with, or another mundane factor it’s possible you’ll hear some know-it-all automotive fanatic inform you.
That is about luxurious with out the bling. It’s the chauffeur pushed Rolls Royce you purchase in the event you don’t wish to be seen in a Rolls Royce. Consider it just like the Boeing 747; its underpinnings could be a workhorse to hold tons of of passengers, or cargo or… in the event you’re the Sultan of Brunei, probably the most luxurious plane ever constructed.
The purpose is, overlook the underpinnings or the badge, as a result of Lexus has constructed what at present doesn’t exist within the Australian market – an excellent sensible, extraordinarily luxurious van for individuals who wish to journey in absolute consolation with out exhibiting off.
Very like the Sultan of Brunei’s 747, although, this isn’t the sort of factor you wish to pilot your self. This wants a employed driver as a result of the actual luxurious and the consolation shouldn’t be provided to the driving force, however the passengers within the second row.
In truth, whereas it could technically have seven seats in LM 350h configuration, it actually solely has two that can be utilized for its supposed function. The dearer LM 500h that exhibits up early in 2024 solely has 4 seats in complete; with the driving force and your bodyguard taking the entrance seats, you and your fortunate passenger will probably be pushed in model.
We spent just a few hours sitting within the again seats of the LM 350h AWD Sports activities Luxurious round Melbourne in probably probably the most depressing climate on supply and it was fairly the expertise… nevertheless it comes at a reasonably hefty worth.
How a lot does the Lexus LM value?
Are you sitting down? As a result of that is both a discount or extraordinarily costly relying on the way you take a look at it.
2024 Lexus LM pricing:
- 2024 Lexus LM 350h 2WD Sports activities Luxurious: $160,888
- 2024 Lexus LM 350h AWD Sports activities Luxurious: $165,888
- 2024 Lexus LM 500h AWD Sports activities Luxurious: $220,888
Costs exclude on-road prices
Let’s put some issues in context. Just about the one vehicles that may match this are the long-wheelbase BMW 7 Sequence, Audi A8 L, or Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
Given the upper trip of the LM, you’ll most likely be finest to check it to a Vary Rover, Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600, or a Rolls-Royce Cullinan. These vehicles are glorious choices and all of them are dearer (or orders of magnitude dearer) than the Lexus LM.
So sure, it’s costly in the event you evaluate it to a Kia Carnival (which is an illogical factor to do) or perhaps a Mercedes-Benz V-Class ($30,000 cheaper), nevertheless it’s additionally a little bit of a discount in case your choices are a Cullinan or Maybach GLS.
What’s the Lexus LM like on the within?
There may be undoubtedly lots of wow issue once you first open the sliding door to the second row of the LM and step inside. The 2 beautiful chairs are tremendous snug and transfer round like a enterprise class seat on a aircraft.
You could have tray tables to eat on, a big display to observe your favorite exhibits or do conferences on the go, your personal sound system, and an iPhone like machine to regulate nearly each perform of the automotive within the second row, bar the steering wheel and the 2 pedals.
With the additional advantage of noise cancelling know-how and tremendous thick glass, you’ll be able to sleep again right here with the seat folded again and the temper set to calm down with a delicate (or arduous) therapeutic massage reminding you that you’re really in a automotive and never in mattress.
The primary gripe we had with the Lexus LM 350h’s inside was the three seats within the third row. We all know why they’re there, as a result of some patrons will want greater than 4 seats however the draw back of their existence is that they really restrict the motion of the second row in going near a flat-bed.
Frankly, the one folks you wish to put within the third-row are children and – effectively – possibly it’s best to depart them at dwelling with the babysitter?
Fortunately, Lexus has an answer for such first-world issues as a result of the LM 500h solely has 4 seats, they usually don’t have any obstruction with a 3rd row on the subject of motion.
Lexus calls them “VIP throne seats”, which might be extra correct in the event that they had been driving upon a dragon. Nonetheless, it additionally comes with a glass partition, a stupidly giant 48-inch widescreen for rear passengers and a 23-speaker Mark Levinson sound system, in addition to a built-in mini fridge.
You possibly can just about do or say something again there with out anybody noticing.
One factor value noting was the infotainment within the LM. We really feel like a damaged report in each assessment of a Lexus automobile we take a look at however one can solely beg somebody at Lexus to rent some real UX designers that may make what must be easy… simply work.
The fundamental means of pairing your cellphone to the rear infotainment system merely didn’t work, we had to make use of the entrance system to pair the cellphone after which use the again system to set what you’ll be able to hear within the entrance and the rear. This may then reset every time the automotive turned on, which was a tad irritating.
CarPlay solely works on the entrance display, it will be extra logical if a seperate CarPlay system was constructed into the rear display. Fortunately there’s a HDMI connection, so all you want is a HDMI adaptor to no matter machine you’ll have and mirroring it shouldn’t be an excessive amount of of a problem.
The Lexus LM additionally helps Miracast which is principally Apple’s AirPlay however wants a seperate app on iOS or Android.
We tried to make it work on our cellphone nevertheless it wasn’t as straightforward as you want to, and we might say that given you’ll personal the automotive, simply having a HDMI to USB-C adapter left within the LM to your iPad or iPhone would be the least problematic resolution to your tech issues.
What’s underneath the bonnet?
Lexus LM 350h fashions are powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with a series-parallel hybrid system producing system outputs of 184kW and 270Nm – just like the drivetrain used within the Toyota Kluger Hybrid.
The usual front-wheel drive mannequin is $5000 cheaper, however in the event you go for the all-wheel drive you get a a second electrical motor on the rear axle to facilitate e-4 AWD – and an extra 50kg of weight. Each LM 350h variants use a repeatedly variable transmission (CVT).
The flagship LM 500h then again is powered by a 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid which by itself produces 202kW/460Nm, and with the electrical motor has a mixed 273kW of energy and all-wheel drive.
The extra highly effective engine is coupled to a six-speed automated transmission and makes use of its pair of electrical motor mills in a parallel hybrid association.
Apparently, all Lexus LM hybrids makes use of an old-school nickel-metal hydride battery (as a substitute of a lithium-ion unit), which is saved beneath the entrance seats and centre console. All fashions have a 60L gasoline tank.
Lexus LM gasoline economic system figures:
- 2024 Lexus LM 350h 2WD Sports activities Luxurious: 5.5L/100km
- 2024 Lexus LM 350h AWD Sports activities Luxurious: 5.6L/100km
- 2024 Lexus LM 500h AWD Sports activities Luxurious: 6.6L/100km
How does the Lexus LM drive?
Firstly, how does it really feel to be pushed might be the appropriate query on this case.
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LM 500h
Whereas our driver on the day was doing his finest to impersonate a Singaporean cab driver along with his on-off use of the pedals, it was nonetheless an outstanding trip and really clean expertise.
The Lexus LM soaks up bumps effectively and there’s no jarring contained in the cabin. Because of its softness although, it does have somewhat little bit of physique roll in the event you take corners with some tempo, however you actually wouldn’t on this automotive.
We took over the driving force’s seat for a punt across the Mornington Peninsula in torrential rain and, given this factor weighs someplace between 2305kg (LM 350h 2.5L 2WD) and 2475kg (LM 500h AWD), it’s undoubtedly not the kind of automotive you’ll ever drive with any sense of tempo or sporty enjoyment.
The suspension and shock absorption is effectively sorted for the entrance row as effectively, although the steering is missing any and all ranges of suggestions at finest (although superb for its supposed utility). It’s nonetheless sharp and responsive sufficient.
Regardless of measuring 5130mm lengthy and 1890mm extensive, we discovered it fairly straightforward to park and get round in because of the array of cameras and sensors.
As ordinary for a Japanese automotive, the digital camera high quality might be a lot better. Japanese manufacturers (Toyota, Lexus, Mazda, Subaru) have clearly ordered a seemingly countless variety of of 320p decision reversing cameras in 2005, and are but to undergo them.
Primarily, until you take pleasure in driving slowly with grace and excessive endurance to the advantage of your rear passengers, this isn’t the kind of automotive you wish to pilot your self, so finest name Alfred.
What do you get?
LM 350h Sports activities Luxurious highlights:
Exterior
- 19-inch solid aluminium wheels with 225/55 R19 tyres
- LED headlights with Adaptive Excessive-beam System (AHS)
- Dynamic levelling
- Headlamp cleaners
- Clearance lamp
- Daytime working lights
- Entrance flip indicators
- LED tail lights
- LED aspect mirror indicators
- Auto-folding and dimming exterior mirrors
- Computerized retractable aspect steps
- UV lower, acoustic glass entrance and sliding doorways
- Rear quarter & again door privateness glass
- 2 x fastened moon roofs with unbiased left, proper sunshade management
- Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS)
- 3-mode Drive Mode Choose (Regular, Eco, Sport) plus Customized
Inside
- Semi-aniline leather-accented upholstery (L-aniline leather-based second-row seats)
- Selection of Black or Solis White inside trim
- Real leather-based steering wheel with touch-sensitive controls
- Tilt/telescopic adjustment
- Heating perform
- Burgundy Sumi woodgrain steering wheel ornamentation
- Prolonged overhead console with ‘Yabane’ ornamentation
- 2 x storage compartments
- Rear air con panel
- Multi-colour ambient inside lighting
- Digital rearview mirror
- 9 cupholders
- 4 x coat hooks
- Second-row lengthy fixed-type help grips, third-row swivel-folding help grip
- Lively Noise Management
- Rear-seat aspect glass sunshade
- Shift-by-wire lever with built-in parking brake
- Driver and entrance passenger dual-zone local weather management with nanoeX
- Second-row particular person left, proper air con management
- Rear Local weather Concierge
- 8-way energy adjustable driver’s seat
- 4-way lumbar help
- 2-way headrest adjustment
- Reminiscence perform
- 4-way energy adjustable entrance passenger seat
- 2-way lumbar help
- 2-way headrest adjustment
- Folding headrest perform
- Heated, ventilated entrance seats
- 6-way power-adjustable second-row captain’s seats
- Extending ottomans
- Bigger headrests
- Particular person wi-fi controllers
- Stowable tables
- Second-row Leisure perform
- Second-row energy ‘Stroll In’ perform
- Heated, ventilated second-row seats
- Heated armrests and ottomans
- Third-row seats with guide slide, recline perform
- Energy twin sliding doorways
- Energy again door
- Sensible entry and begin
Infotainment
- 14-inch touchscreen show with “Hey Lexus” pure voice recognition
- Satellite tv for pc navigation incl. related navigation
- Wi-fi Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
- DAB+ digital radio
- 21-speaker Mark Levinson Reference 3D Encompass Sound system
- 12.3-inch full color multi-information show
- Color head-up show
- 7 x USB-C ports
- 1 x entrance audio enter
- 1 x entrance field
- 1 x console field
- 2 x second-row decrease half on seat
- 2 x quarter field
- 12V accent cost level in console field
- 2 HDMI inputs (1 x console field, 1 x console rear finish panel)
- 220V/100W AC outlet
- Entrance Qi wi-fi smartphone charger
- 14-inch Rear Seat Leisure system
- Lexus Linked Providers with inbuilt Information Communication Module
LM 500h AWD Extremely Luxurious provides:
Inside
- Separation partition with elevating and dimmable glass perform
- 2 x partition glove bins
- Electrical rear partition registers
- Heat-sensing infrared matrix sensors
- Two-temperature fridge
- Shadowy illumination for second-row footwells
- 2 x umbrella holders on aspect of partition
- Prolonged overhead console with ‘Yabane’ ornamentation
- Cupboard space compartment
- 2 x particular person rear self-importance mirrors
- Air-con management panel
- 6 x cupholders
- 2 x coat hooks
Consolation and comfort
- 4-way power-adjustable second-row captain’s seats
- 2-way lumbar help
- Extending ottomans
- Bigger headrests
- Particular person wi-fi controllers, stowable tables
- Second-row leisure perform
- 7 packages, 5 ranges of adjustment
- Rear console field inlc. 2-way opening console lid
- Rear local weather management focused adjustment perform
Multimedia
- 48-inch Rear Seat Leisure system
- 2 x headphone auxiliary inputs
- 3 x HDMI inputs (1 x console field, 2 x console rear finish panel)
- 23-speaker Mark Levinson Reference 3D Encompass Sound system
- 2 x Qi wi-fi smartphone charger (second-row left and proper quarter trim field)
There are 4 colors to select from – Sonic Quartz, Titanium, Graphite Black, and the newly launched Scarlet Crimson – all out there with both Black or Solis White upholstery
Is the Lexus LM secure?
There isn’t any crash take a look at information anyplace on the planet for the Lexus LM particularly, nonetheless the Toyota equal earned prime marks within the Japanese testing system, scoring “ASV1+++” , representing the best ranking.
Whereas it could by no means get examined, it’s a good wager to say it will do effectively holding its occupants secure within the occasion of an accident.
From a security function perspective, it comes with an entire lot of goodies:
- Lexus Security Sense +:
- Pre-collision system with autonomous emergency braking
- Pedestrian (day/night time), bicyclist (day/night time) and motorcyclist (day) detection
- Intersection Collision Avoidance Help
- Emergency Steering Help
- Acceleration Suppression at Low Speeds
- Full-speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Management
- Curve Pace Discount
- Previous automobile cut-in/departure show
- Lane Hint Help with Lane-Departure Alert
- Computerized Excessive Beam
- Highway-Signal Help (pace indicators solely)
- Pre-collision system with autonomous emergency braking
- Emergency Driver Cease System
- Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Visitors Alert
- Driver monitor digital camera
- Entrance, rear Parking Help Brake with parking sensors
- Clever Park Help
- Panoramic View Monitor
- Reversing digital camera with pointers and rear digital camera washer
- E-Latch system with Secure Exit Help
- Car stability management
- Anti-lock Brake System
- Brake Help
- Digital Brake Power Distribution
- Hill-Begin Help Management
- Car Braking Posture Management & Easy Cease Management
- Tyre Stress Warning System
- 6 airbags
How a lot does the Lexus LM value to run?
As with all Lexus fashions, the LM is roofed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee.
Lexus will cost $595 for a service each 12 months or each 15,000km for the primary three years.
There may be not a lot visibility round what the prices will go to publish that interval.
Given the anticipated excessive variety of kilometres for these autos as a part of a fleet, it will be a query actually value asking – although the reply could rely totally on the situation of the automotive at that time.
CarExpert’s Tackle the Lexus LM
There are numerous functions for a automotive just like the Lexus LM.
Rent corporations would completely like it for his or her VIPs, and people with a fleet of vehicles who want one thing for firm enterprise transport would discover it very interesting, significantly executives who need consolation and dealing house with out the ostentatiousness and price ticket of one thing European.
For the personal purchaser with out a devoted driver although, this may occasionally show just a bit bit an excessive amount of given will probably be your passengers that may take pleasure in all the advantages whilst you pay the invoice.
In saying that, we had lots of questions from personal patrons over social media after we posted this automotive who appeared to suppose it will be completely excellent for them, so we might be fully improper.
Inform us what you consider the Lexus LM within the feedback under.
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