This Van Has True Lie-Flat Seats & I'm In Love (Lexus LM 2024 Review)

Detailed first review and test of the 2024 Lexus LM500h turbo hybrid van, including reclining back seats, engine, ride quality and more.
The Lexus LM will come to Australia from $160,000, but for the full experience, the LM500h Ultra Luxury will cost $220,888.
At that price it is competing with low-end Range Rovers but it isn’t as expensive as a Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
But you can lie down! So does that make this van worth it?
Time codes:
0:00 - What is the Lexus LM?
0:27 - Price
0:35 - Popular in Asia
0:57 - In this video
1:08 - Front seats
2:10 - Build quality
2:34 - Second row
3:25 - Fully flat seats
4:02 - What it’s like to ride in
4:16 - Driving dynamics
4:49 - Luxury van vs luxury sedan
6:14 - Platform
6:28 - Ride quality
7:09 - Variable suspension
7:45 - LM350h hybrid
7:57 - LM500h turbo hybrid
8:30 - Refinement
8:55 - Fuel economy
9:11 - Brakes
9:21 - Steering
9:38 - Air conditioning
10:00 - Damping
10:35 - Worth the price?
10:58 - Verdict
As always, we don’t accept advertising from car manufacturers, and we’re powered by Budget Direct.
Subscribe now! kzbin.info...
Chasing Cars on Facebook: / chasingcarsaustralia
Follow Chasing Cars on Instagram: / chasingcars.com.au
Chasing Cars is Australia's most independent source of new car reviews, car industry news, comparisons and car guides. We give you a critical look at every new car you should consider!

[@chasingcars]

Would you rather be driven in this LM van, a Range Rover or an S-Class?

[@gjmob]

The Lexus. At least you would know that you will make it to the other end.

[@toyotaprius79]

VW ID BUZZ would be more fun tbh when it'll eventually be tarted up just as discreet or incognito for the target buyer of this mpv Lexus Limousine or Range Rover. Limo companies.

[@toyotaprius79]

​@@gjmobIf only it was a plug-in 🙄

[@csjrogerson2377]

I'd rather by driving a 911.

[@kelsey_roy]

Why won’t they bring Alphard here?

[@siquanwu3131]

I almost put in one of the earliest order in Australia back in April without knowing the price just because extended family owns Alphard in China and we all love it. Only transfer the order to an LX600 when the dealer called me that there is one fsport spec became available when the original buyer couldn’t get his finance approved and LM is only 12 months away at the time. If you love extreme comfort and silence, then you will absolutely love it. All you need to overcome is the idea that you are driving a van, nonetheless it is an extremely expensive one😂 and people may think you are a professional limousine chauffeur😂.

[@henrichandrew]

The Lexus LM is upper luxurious MPVs or VANs of Toyota Luxury MPV siblings, which are Toyota Alphard and Toyota Vellfire. These two luxury MPVs are only available in certain countries, like Japan, Hongkong, China and South East Asian Countries. Particularly in most East Asian Countries, Alphard and Vellfire are the Wealth Status of the owner. You are rich if you own an Alphard or Vellfire...not Viano / V-Class. The Lexus LM (Ultra Luxury trim) cost almost three times of Toyota Alphard or Vellfire.

[@fale892]

Someone will pimp this out eventually 😂

[@chasingcars]

Guaranteed

[@hazeroth]

Thanks for reviewing the LM which is (finally) coming to AU though my meagre dollars means that this is out of reach. Nonetheless, great to appreciate from here.

[@chasingcars]

You're welcome!

[@agastyamuliawan9367]

You said it was the 3rd gen alphard platform, isnt it the 4th?

[@GEE819]

I am enjoying this content on Lexus . can you please do a review on Lexus ux200 please.

[@chasingcars]

Hoping to get the updated UX in soon

[@sad6549775]

Would be interesting to know if it has 6 seat version. I.e. two seat facing the other seats instead of screens. That way hosts of business can tag along etc. Just two with screens??

[@chasingcars]

The LM350h models have seven seats but I don't think it faces the other row

[@davidarter9670]

I hope Lexus expands its 6 speed torque converter automatic to it’s RX and ES Hybrids. That would be VERY much appreciated!

[@AbhishekHari1234]

This is twice the cost of a Lexus RX. In terms of ride quality, is there a major difference? Do you think 350h option would be fine?

[@chasingcars]

I don’t think it’s a huge difference in ride quality to an RX350h Luxury on 18s but the back seats are much better in the LM

[@gjmob]

I wonder what the legalities are with laying down while moving, if you're wearing the seatbelt, it's going to choke you in rapid deceleration.

[@chasingcars]

I agree - not sure yet, this was a Japan spec vehicle but it'll be in Australia soon, and Lexus Australia is indeed marketing the lie-flat capability in their local communications

[@mrjackbagginz]

What a top of the range product

[@timfreeman2603]

The Alphards are cool. But A$220k count me out, I like Lexus and bought a used one for my mum but the margins over the similar Toyota’s simply isn’t justified.

[@spiro5327]

Hang on a minute is this a reworked and luxuriated Toyota Tarago ??

[@chasingcars]

Alphard

[@henrichandrew]

@spiro5327 You got it wrong. Toyota Tarago is not in this class. The Lexus LM use the same chasis and platform with the siblings Toyota Alphard and Toyota Vellfire. Tarago (in Aussie) or Toyota Estima (in japan) or Toyota Previa (in worldwide exc. Aussie) is 7 seaters MPV (they are the same car exactly but given different name based on region) and Lexus LM, Alphard and Vellfire are Luxurious highroof MPV, they (LM, Alphard, and Vellfire) are commonly driven by a chauffeur. People buy these cars for enjoying the second row seat and seldom drive themselves. Different class, market and more pricey than the Tarago/Estima/Previa.

[@TheYousken]

Imagine paying over $200,000 for this. Maybe someone from BMW has started designing cars for Lexus, looks horrible! I am sure it’s comfortable though!

[@ironlungthe3rd]

I mean I get it, but nearly a quarter of a million dollars, that is a lot of money, that's a deposit on a house, for something to drive around in.

[@hartoz]

Depreciation on this van will be massive. After 8 years it will be worth 10% of it's list price.

[@wangwang2003]

What currency? US dollar?

[@Anonymous-md2qp]

AUD

[@toyotaprius79]

But can't it not Plug-In ? I'd rate that just above good ergonomic design, and I'd favour that in any car.

[@chasingcars]

There is no PHEV version of the LM as yet, but it’s likely to be technically possible on this platform given there is a PHEV version of the RAV4

[@iFumoffu]

i really hope they bring this to nz sigh...

[@chasingcars]

Fingers crossed!

[@simianinc]

A brand new Vellfire is around $174k on the grey market

[@richieduck67]

Nuts to buy this over the LS

[@chasingcars]

No word of a lie, this is better as a passenger than an LS … which doesn't have palatial legroom, and rides a bit coarsely at times!

[@thtupid]

I love Lexus dont get me wrong. But the LS really is mediocre for its price. IMHO, the LS really should have been a GS.

[@jhref]

I'd have this as a passenger. It's like business class.

[@JaydenTYX]

It’s sold out for 2-3 years at least

[@Miop-je5of]

I’m a Lexus fanboy and have owned 3 Lexi. This, however, is truly grotesque.

[@chasingcars]

I’m like the boiled frog. I don’t notice the spindle grille thing anymore

[@jhref]

How dare you. Love it. 😊

[@BobbyDazzler888]

Who cares. Its all about luxury passenger experience.

[@insansiregar6158]

Why not buy limousines like Maybach S600 Pullman?​@@BobbyDazzler888

[@Laura-sm6tx]

Why you not reviewing from backseat / being chaffeured

[@martintokinaga5261]

With the big screen at the back of the driver, which block viewing the passengers. This is a car requiring a chauffeur. And not a car you drive with your family. I really don't think anyone want to buy this as a family car unless you can afford a chauffeur.

[@chasingcars]

Important point: the LM350h models don’t have the bulkhead separating the driver and back seat passengers - it’s more of a normal minivan

[@martintokinaga5261]

@@chasingcars Does thatLM350h version have the same high quality interior as the top version but without the screen ? I saw a few imported Alphard on the road. I really don't understand why people want to drive a boat on the road in Aus. In the East Asia, Alphard is popular because of its size. People feel more higher class because this car is generally bigger than many cars in East Asia roads. Especially if one has to squeeze in tight traffic where you don't feel as squeeze as the corolla next to you. Many Alphards are driven by chauffeurs there. And the Alphard is becoming more and more up market. And to my understanding it is only the very new current generation of Alphard that gets independent rear suspension. But in Aus, Chauffeurs are more rare due to a more just society(which mean it will be far more expensive ) and also with big open roads, why would I want to drive an Alphard or LM which is designed for the passengers rather than the driver? (unless I need to work as a chauffeur)

[@henrichandrew]

@@martintokinaga5261 If you want to know why in Asia, Toyota Alphard and Vellfire so popular among the Wealthy people. I highly recommend you experience and try it yourself on the second row seat. You will know why they love these cars so much. One that I agree with you. These cars are for driven by cheuffeur not yourself.

[@martintokinaga5261]

@@henrichandrew I have tried many times with Chauffeur and I do understand. What I am saying is, in Australia where I don't see chauffeur in those specially imported Alphard is making any sense.

[@word1901]

i don't expect to see many on aus roads until japanese models start getting up in kms and come in though the grey market

[@chasingcars]

Possibly, but that’s discounting brand-new luxury buyers who might have been holding out for Toyota or Lexus to genuinely import these things.

[@word1901]

@@chasingcarsgoing on that they will fill that part of the market pretty quickly in the first 6 months then sales will drop off

[@richo2501]

That thing looks hideous, even if it is 2 arm chairs, with all the trimmings on wheels........can't see this type of vehicle moving big numbers in Australia, well not in the top spec anyway.

[@thtupid]

Definitely would get the 6 seater version over any SUV. ANY SUV!

[@chasingcars]

It's more fit for purpose for this job than just about any SUV.

[@csjrogerson2377]

For $223,000 you can stick it where the sun don't shine. It's just a big lump of an SUV.

[@one-rv2bx]

$200K Tarago! 🤣

[@henrichandrew]

You got it wrong. Toyota Tarago is not in this class. The Lexus LM use the same chasis and platform with the siblings Toyota Alphard and Toyota Vellfire. Tarago (in Aussie) or Toyota Estima (in japan) or Toyota Previa (in worldwide exc. Aussie) is 7 seaters MPV (they are the same car exactly but given different name based on region) and Lexus LM, Alphard and Vellfire are Luxurious highroof MPV, they (LM, Alphard, and Vellfire) are commonly driven by a chauffeur. People buy these cars for enjoying the second row seat and seldom drive themselves. Different class, market and more pricey than the Tarago/Estima/Previa.

[@murkeyterky6852]

🤣

[@nizm0man]

SUVs suck, and MPVs/vans like this show why. But majority of people want that USA-look.

[@chasingcars]

Can you elaborate on why it sucks?

[@venividivici1982]

That is an extremely ugly thing,my gosh what is that

[@chasingcars]

that's the lexus lm

[@venividivici1982]

​@@chasingcarsi was being sarcastic 😂

[@BobbyDazzler888]

@@venividivici1982nobody cares

[@adriankaminski8189]

This might have huge appeal in other markets but I just don't think it will sell well in Australia. At that price most would be drawn to Mercedes S class or BMW. I liked lexus more when a sport model was actually sporty! not a camry with leather seats and mild hybrid.

[@ShoraBill]

The problem is that,,,, it's really ugly, they can put on it the Lexus badge, but it's really bad looking,it doesn't fit in any category,,,😅😅😅...!!!