We all know the fact that, how Keen and Smart is the Toyota-Lexus’ business in India. Ignoring the reality that Toyota actually owns the luxury brand Lexus, we can say that over the years, Toyota has made great use of it. 

Well, if you did not understand, Toyota has been doing a smart business when it comes to Lexus cars. Most of the Lexus sedans, SUVs, and MPVs or Minivans - carry few of the major similarities with other Toyota cars, which have an Indirect relationship with Lexus cars. Like the LX500, it is actually based on the same platform as the Toyota Land Cruiser, and as a very recent example the Lexus LM, which is actually based on the Toyota Vellfire.

Now, there is a very smart, yet cruel fact about all of these parts sharing, and it is that Toyota’s side of the car which shares its parts with the Lexus’ side of the car - is noticeably more affordable than the particular Lexus’ car.

And the Lexus LM, which has been recently launched is a great example to it, as said earlier. So, let us deep dive into this Lexus LM MPV, which the brand states, carries the epitome of Luxury than any MPV present in India.

About

The Lexus LM was born about almost 5 years ago now, in 2019. Wherein, it was built to be a more luxurious option of the Toyota Vellfire / Alfred, which already packs prime luxury. In fact, the name of the Lexus LM itself states that it is a ‘Luxury Mover’. It is available in two seating options - 7 Seater & 4 Seater.

Today, it has officially entered into its Second generation, in which it packs a decent amount of upgrades & changes as well. So, let us talk about them.

Measurements

The LM is huge, to say the least. It’s presence really cannot explained by words, so here are the numbers -

Exterior

The overall design of the MPV is very Lexusy, as usual. It packs all the design traits which Lexus has been following or has started following since the past few years. Still, to talk more deeply about the design then,

Front Profile

The Front of the car is a typical Lexus affair, with all the design cues, which are being used at the front are concentrated to the Nose of the MPV. 

Onto the Grille, it is surely following the traditional Lexus design path, with an angularly elongating grille. The Air dams have been integrated sweetly into the design of the overall grille, which also brings in design elements inside it.

Going upwards, we could see an obviously small hood, as it is an MPV. It also gets some cuts & creases at the shoulder area of it. The beautiful Lexus logo has been attached onto the hood.

Coming to the Headlamp units, they had to have that traditional Lexus’ L-shaped DRLs for both the Headlamp units. On the other hand, the headlights hold a set of 3 LED beams, which have been stacked horizontally besides each other.

When we look at the overall Front fascia once, we could notice many cuts & creases integrated to distinguish the Lexus LM from the Toyota Vellfire’s Front.

Side Profile

The Side profile of the car - if only focused on the border lines - could be mistaken with the Toyota Vellfire. Which is arguably acceptable, as it is based on it. But still, Lexus has inserted some design bits to differ it from its ‘Brother from another Mother’.

Starting from the bottom, the wheels get busy chrome inserts, which is actually done to increase the premium appeal of the MPV. The wheels are big though, still no information about their size has been revealed by Lexus. But, by looking at them, they seem to be of 19 inches.

Being an MPV, there would obviously be no Side cladding or Wheel arches of sorts, it is a plain, yet simply flowing design all around.

Though there is one big cut, which is running backwards to the Tail Lamps just below the Chrome window line. And talking about the Chrome window line, it runs between both the A pillars, covering the whole window line all around the MPV.

Coming to the windows, they are big! And they had to be, because after all it is actually a Minivan, so, it doesn’t need to introduce any kind of new design language with various aspects of the MPV. It just had to follow the simple, straight forward look of a Minivan.

Then comes the floating treatment given to the Roof of the car. It is a great touch added for the pleasant view of it, they basically blackened out the lower part of the A pillar, which ultimately resulted in a floating Roof treatment.

Rear Profile

The Rear of the car is a 90 degree cut to be honest. It gets a straight standing rear profile, which also brings in a humongous Tailgate, and it would obviously need a lot of room for it to Electrically open, no doubt!

But, if we look into the aspects of it, then they are actually great. For example, a big Rear Glass, though it is of no use, as the interiors would be having a partial separation between the Front row and the rest of the Rear rows. Anyways, it is still a ‘Good Car Trait’ inclusion.

And as the Rear Glass is so big, it also creates an even proportion between itself and the rest of the body area.

The Tail Lamps, on the other hand, are very similar to the ones we used to get in the previous generation. Where in, they are integrated into a single piece unit, which could also be called as a bar connecting both the ends, and at the centre of the bar - it has been given ‘Concave’ like treatment. This ultimately makes it look like it is smiling.

Now the lower bumper remains, actually there is not much to talk about it, as it is very simple and clever looking, with no such cuts or design elements integrated into it. And it has been kept like this purposely, to maintain the clean and rich aura of the MPV.

Interior

The interior of the car is a ‘Show Off’, it can literally tell the viewer that your money has been well spent.

As this MPV has all of its show in the rear seats, that is why, we will just have a glance at the front, so we can move further towards the rear. At the Front, it gets a very luxuriously crafted dashboard, with use of rich materials for a car, like Wood, Premium leather, etc.

It gets a huge Infotainment screen, which would definitely pack all the gimmicks. The Driver’s Display is also a full Colour TFT display.

Now, it is showtime! The Rear has been surely made for God himself. Because, ‘Comfort’ as an aspect, has been extensively focused, because of which, no one would feel even a second of uncomfort being on the Rear Seats of this MPV. The whole rear experience is a class of itself, the seats are long, Aircraft styled - in order to support each and every muscle of your body. All the controls are handy, situated over the Armrests. 

And just in case, if you feel a little bored, then do not worry, because a 48 inch TV is there for you, which by the way is connected to an astonishing 23 Speakers surround-sound Audio system.

On the Roof as well, Lexus has wrapped full soft touch material to make the consumer feel at ease. At last, the most loved feature by all the Indians, of course, the Sunroof, and this Lexus LM does not get one but two sunroofs for both the Rear individual passengers. 

Have to say, all of this does feel like the epitome of luxury.

Powertrain

The Lexus LM’s powertrain details are not yet out, but, we presume that it might run by a 2.5 L 4 Cylinder Petrol Hybrid engine, which is also available on the Toyota Vellfire, and it produces a combined output of 250 hp & 240 Nm of Torque.

Price

So, a few days ago, Lexus launched this particular MPV in India. It was launched at the starting price of ₹1.2 Cr, which by the way is about ₹20 lakhs more than what the Toyota Vellfire has to offer to us in terms of its price (₹1 Cr).