When you picture a chauffeur car, you probably think of a black, four-door luxury sedan, most likely from a German automaker. And while cars such as the Mercedes-Benz S-Class or the BMW 7 Series often dominate the streets in financial districts around the world, the executive sedan isn’t the end-all, be-all of executive cars. Here in Japan, you’ll still stumble upon benchmark executive sedans, of course, but an unexpected player dominates the country: Lexus. While Lexus also offers a traditional executive sedan with the LS, there’s an even more intriguing vehicle from the Toyota Motor Corporation’s luxury division. This is the Lexus LM, the marque’s ultra-exclusive executive van. On a broader scale, luxury vans are still scarce in the automotive landscape, but Lexus is a pioneer in this domain, as vans are quite the staple vehicle here in Japan. From a subtle exterior design to a refined cabin with an endless suite of comfort features to elevate your lifestyle, Lexus brings the idea of an executive car to new heights. Of course, most vans aren’t exactly what you’d call aesthetically pleasing. Their boxy and imposing look leaves little to work with in terms of design, yet the Lexus LM manages to elevate the overall silhouette by working on specific details. The Sonic Titanium paint gives the LM a sophisticated and silky look, while the iconic, hourglass-shaped spindle grille produces a gradient effect. You’ll also notice the character line that spans the car’s profile and the intricate design on the 19-inch wheels, which bring more definition and contrast to the boxy silhouette. The LM comes in two trims, the 6-seater and the 4-seater—the latter being our tester. But you won’t be able to tell how many seats are inside simply by looking at its exterior. The wheelbase remains the same no matter the number of seats—and that's great news for passengers. Tell us what you think! View Comments A Chauffeur's Dream From the driver's seat, the car complements your chauffeur driving skills with smooth acceleration and gentle braking. The Lexus LM500h comes with Toyota’s T24A-FTS engine, a turbocharged 2.4-liter inline-four engine paired with a six-speed automatic gearbox and all-wheel drive. The engine alone makes 271 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque, but as a hybrid, it's joined by a small 288-volt nickel-metal hydride battery and two electric motors located on each axle. Those motors produce 85 hp and 215 lb-ft of torque, and 101 hp and 124 lb-ft of torque, respectively. The total output sits at 366 hp. Horsepower isn't excessive, but there is enough torque to put the 5,423-pound van mass into motion with swift acceleration off the line. You can choose between three familiar drive modes: Normal, Eco, and Sport, which sharpen or soften the throttle as needed. The LM offers a fourth Rear Comfort drive mode, which dampens the suspension during acceleration and braking to provide a smoother ride for rear passengers. The LM also has very little body roll in corners thanks to the combination of MacPherson struts at the front and double wishbone suspension at the back. Photos by: Ayesh Seneviratne | Motor1 In the chauffeur chair, you get to experience Lexus’ "Tazuna" cockpit, or "reins" in English, which aims to give you maximum oversight, as if you were holding the reins of a horse. Hence, you’ll find nearly every interior control within quick reach, from the climate and rear doors to the blinds. The concept of "omotenashi," which can be translated to "mindful, selfless hospitality" in English, is central to the LM. This is why the chauffeur gets not one, but two sets of controls to open and close passenger doors (one set on the overhead panel, and the other on the dashboard next to the steering wheel), in order to deliver the quickest service. While top features such as massage seats are reserved for rear passengers, the driver also gets a fair share of creature comforts. The steering wheel is adorned with wooden details and comes with a heated steering feature that will automatically warm up the wheel upon starting the car. Front seats are heated and ventilated, and you’ll benefit from the Mark Levinson sound system that can be unlinked from the rear passenger’s sound system, allowing you to listen to your own music without disturbing passengers. Backseat Opulence Personified This is where things get really interesting with the 4-seater LM. Unlike other executive vehicles in the market, the 4-seater offers a fully private executive suite for two, partitioned away from the driver. As the rear door slides open, you’re welcomed into a luxurious first-class suite. You can easily climb aboard without needing to excessively duck down and walk a couple of steps to your seat on the carpeted beige floor, across what could very well be classified as a small room. Placed right behind the front seats, the partition completely separates the rear section from the front chauffeur section. The partition conveniently comes with a window that can be controlled from both sides, with a smart privacy glass feature that turns fully opaque with the switch of a button. The partition offers complete privacy and an incredibly quiet and soundproof environment. This quietness also extends to the interior design. While European executive cabins tend to go overboard with things like ambient lighting, starlit rooflines, and embroidery, the LM keeps things minimal and to the point. This lack of excessive distraction helps create a sense of serenity when seated in the LM cabin. Inspired by the simplicity of Japanese interior design, the generous compartments and storage areas are ingeniously hidden away to create a clean and peaceful space. Unlike other executive vehicles in the market, the 4-seater offers a fully private executive suite for two, partitioned away from the driver. The armrests hide a foldable table and a cup holder, while a wireless phone charging compartment hides in the door panels. The center console offers three different storage compartments, with the larger one equipped with a 100V plug and an HDMI port—more on that in a moment. The partition even hides a fridge and glove compartments to store documents and other necessities. The LM’s main features are, of course, the rear seat configuration and the massive 48.0-inch widescreen display integrated into the partition. The seats, which recline almost fully flat, offer a plethora of adjustments, with massage, ventilation, heated armrests, and ottoman features that can all be controlled from the two detachable smartphone-sized tablets in the center console. While lounging on the opulent seats, you can also listen to music, read a book with the overhead reading lamp, or watch Japanese television on the large screen. If you need to get on an online meeting on the way to your destination, just plug your laptop into the screen via the HDMI port to use it as a fancy monitor. With the rainy weather in Tokyo, the Lexus LM provides me with the ultimate luxury refuge, where I can keep up with the latest episodes of my favorite TV show on the big screen and occasionally catch up with emails. Photos by: Ayesh Seneviratne | Motor1 Even though the rear cabin occupies most of the real estate inside the LM, there is a surprising amount of space left for the trunk area. Behind the seats, you’ll find a generous 26.5 cubic feet of room that will easily fit two large suitcases. Lexus did think of everything when it comes to loading your luggage gracefully. Instead of opening the trunk door from the usual door handle in the middle at the risk of having the door hit your face, open-close buttons are located on each side of the trunk to safely and effortlessly open the storage area. Priced at the surprisingly fair base price of ¥20,300,000 ($130,000 at the current exchange rate), the LM already comes with everything you need. And you won’t need to sign up for an endless list of options that would end up costing you a small compact car, either. Quite a rare occurrence in the current market. The Whole Package As a chauffeur, the Lexus LS undoubtedly makes for a more exciting driving experience, but as a passenger, you probably won’t want to go back to a sedan once you’ve gotten a taste for the Lexus LM. The LM’s 4-seater suite feels comparable to a first-class seat in an airplane or on the Japanese Shinkansen. As you’d expect of a top-of-the-line chauffeur car, Lexus left no details to chance in the LM. Rainy day? Here are two lightweight umbrellas crafted from wood and carbon fiber. Pollen allergies in the Spring? The entire cabin is equipped with Panasonic’s Nanoe-X air purifying technology. Photos by: Ayesh Seneviratne | Motor1 Sure, Lexus’s executive van isn’t perfect. The infotainment system still lacks the modernity offered in European competitors, the doors do take a second before opening and closing, and the LM doesn’t offer many customization options. But the Japanese manufacturer has refined this second-generation model, making it even more luxurious than ever before. The LM’s simplicity serves its purpose. With the noticeable absence of excessive ambient lighting and champagne glasses, the LM makes a strong statement on what it considers to be true luxury. From the outside, passers-by won’t look twice at the elegant van. Yet on the inside, the minimal interior offers complete privacy, quietness, and generous space; rare commodities in busy, noisy, and crowded cities such as Tokyo. Simply put, the Lexus LM is the automotive equivalent of "quiet luxury" fashion brands. Understated elegance from the outside and unmatched opulence on the inside. The LM may not look all that impressive at first glance, but those who really know, know. 2026 Lexus LM500h Executive Engine Turbocharged 2.4-Liter Four-Cylinder Hybrid Motor AC Synchronous Output 336 Horsepower / 339 Pound-Feet Transmission Six-Speed Automatic Drive Type All-Wheel Drive Speed 0-62 MPH 6.9 Seconds Weight 5,423 Pounds Seating Capacity 4 Cargo Volume 26.5 Cubic Feet Base Price ¥20,300,000 ($130,000 est.) On Sale Now We want your opinion! What would you like to see on Motor1.com? Take our 3 minute survey. - The Motor1.com Team