How the Lexus LM redefines luxury motoring

Some cars promise to be the ultimate driving machine, but this vehicle approaches prestige transport with an entirely different approach.

The Lexus LM tips prestige motoring upside down. While rivals claim to offer the ultimate driving machine, this opulent van is all about the folks in the back.

This is this future

This posh van offers a glimpse into the future of luxury motoring.

The Lexus LM luxury people mover combines bold styling with an opulent cabin.

In a brave new world when self-driving cars are commonplace, prestige machines could take the form of an opulent space with comfortable chairs, a ripping stereo and smooth ride.

There will be gadgets, digital displays, flip-out tables and power outlets similar to a first-class airline experience.

Or the new Lexus LM.

Four-seat versions of the Lexus LM have lay-flat beds.

It’s a big bus

This is a posh take on the modern Tarago – a car sold today as the Toyota Granvia people mover.

While the humble Toyota is an eight-seater, the Lexus can be had with just four chairs, trading practicality for a truly luxuriant space worthy of very important people in the rear.

In the same way that two business class airline passengers take up as much room as six economy seats, this Lexus delivers the luxury of space.

The driver misses out on all the fun.

It prioritises backseaters with a special driving mode that protects their comfort by smoothing out control inputs and carefully managing body movement so the van doesn’t excessively pitch or sway.

That’s great news to everyone but the pilot, who finds themselves in command of a block of flats powered by a 184kW four-cylinder hybrid motor similar to that of a Toyota Camry.

It’s certainly not sporty, attractive or charismatic – but it will transport sporty, attractive or charismatic passengers where they need to go.

Powered blinds, massaging seats … what more could you want?

True beauty lies within

The LM combines the shapeliness of a refrigerator with a face that blends Darth Vader’s menace with the metallic angles of a particularly chaotic cutlery drawer.

Few creations in the Lexus catalogue tug at the heartstrings, but this is one that makes you want to roll up that brochure and whack it.

Could this be the ugliest prestige car on sale?

Until you activate the power sliding doors and slip inside for a closer look.

Settling into a broad armchair, you take control of key features using a smartphone-sized touchscreen that can be removed from its cradle.

Clever touchscreens hand control to the back.

It allows you to adjust the cabin temperature – through four-zone climate control, naturally – and infotainment features including a 14-inch roof-mounted video screen that can be connected to streaming services.

You’ll be comfortable

Those big chairs are properly plush.

They’re ventilated and heated – even the armrests and footrest are warmed – and can massage your stress away.

This really is a lush space.

Impressive noise suppression isolates you from the outside world, helped by double-glazed windows, plush carpets, extra sound dampening material and electronic active noise cancellation insulation to rival a music studio.

Speaking of which, the LM’s stereo is a belter. It’s a 21-speaker Mark Levinson job that transforms the cabin into a music hall. The car is so big that you can have separate audio playing in the front and rear at the same time.

Remember the bit where we said it was shaped like a fridge …

Luxury is not cheap

The LM starts from about $170,000 drive-away.

Which is a lot, but successful hire-car businesses can write it off as an expense.

And you can spend more than that by plumping for the range-topping LM500h, which swaps the front-drive version’s engine for a 273kW turbo hybrid combination with all-wheel-drive.

It costs about $235,000 drive-away and steps up the game with an even more luxurious interior including a champagne fridge and 48-inch television screen spanning the width of the cabin.

Lexus says the LM is ideal for business or relaxation.

It also brings the luxury of choice through Lexus on Demand, an ownership perk that allows customers to borrow other models in the Lexus range from time to time. Customers can swap their LM for a stylish convertible or snow-ready SUV for holidays – or better yet, folks who own a more conventional Lexus can get hold of an LM for special occasions.

Originally published as How the Lexus LM redefines luxury motoring