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Lexus LM

A BETTER CLASS OF PEOPLE MOVER (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

The Lexus LM sets its sights on the Mercedes V-Class at the top end of the luxury MPV market. Jonathan Crouch drives it.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 38

Lexus redefines what an ultimate luxury MPV can be with this LM. A limo might cosset you but the huge stretch-out cabin here spoils its occupants in an even more opulent way. There's really nothing quite like it.

Backgroundword count: 145

Elsewhere in the world, Lexus has long been known as a purveyor of huge luxury people carrying MPVs, but never here - until now. The LM (for 'Luxury Mover') launched in the UK as one of the brand's most expensive models ever. And it's intended for chauffeur-driven top executives who don't want a big saloon or SUV. You might not think it a six-figure proposition to look at - until you take a look inside and sample a cabin which quite simply takes luxury to another level. And a standard beyond the model this Lexus is most obviously aimed at, the Mercedes V-Class. There's no full-EV LM variant to rival that German competitor in its EQV form, but the fossil-fuelled self-charging Hybrid engine in this Japanese contender is a step more sophisticated than any combustion powerplant available in a V-Class. Let's take a closer look.

Driving Experienceword count: 274

Though the concept of a Lexus MPV might be unusual, the underpinnings that this one rides upon are more than familiar - the GA-K platform we've already seen in slightly shorter form in the brand's NX and RX SUVs. The single engine option's familiar from other Lexus models too, a '350h'-badged 2.5-litre four cylinder self charging petrol-powered full-Hybrid unit. It's mated as usual to a CVT automatic gearbox and is paired with an electric motor allowing the car to run purely on battery power for short urban periods. This engine puts out a more-than-adequate 247bhp, but in damp conditions you'll only be able to properly transmit its 239Nm of torque to the tarmac if you pay the extra to swap the standard front-driven format out for the brand's E-Four four wheel drive system. That provides an extra electric motor to power the rear axle. This can send up to 80% of the powertrain's torque to that back axle - or up to 100% to the front. Maximum speed is 118mph and 62mph from rest takes 8.7s. There's been a huge emphasis on cabin noise reduction - active noise-cancelling tech, improved sealing and air-tightness, noise-reducing wheels and tyres and a special headliner said to enhance insulation by 40%. There's also a unique 'Rear Seat Comfort' driving mode supposed to "adjust suspension performance and drive torque distribution, suppressing vibration helping both the vehicle and its passengers maintain a comfortable posture". There are also a range of systems aimed at counteracting the LM's prodigious size and weight. - 'Automatic Smart Stop Braking Control', 'Pitch Control' and an 'Adaptive Variable Suspension' set-up intended to balance dynamics and comfort.

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Pictures (high res disabled)

Statistics (subset of data only)

Min

Max

Price:

£89,995.00 (At 24 Apr 2024)

£112,995.00 (At 24 Apr 2024)

CO2 (g/km):

152

163

Max Speed (mph):

118

0-62 mph (s):

8.7

9.1

Combined Mpg:

39.2

42.1

Length (mm):

5125

Width (mm):

1890

Height (mm):

1940

Boot Capacity (l):

110

1191

Power (ps):

247

Scoring (subset of scores)

Category: MPV People Carriers

Performance
60%
Handling
50%
Comfort
90%
Space
80%
Styling, Build, Value, Equipment, Depreciation, Handling, Insurance and Total scores are available with our full data feed.

This is an excerpt from our full review.
To access the full content library please contact us on 0330 0020 227 or click here

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