Lexus LM 2024 Review

In Malaysia's luxury MPV market, the Lexus LM series has always held a unique position with its "mobile luxury lounge" concept. The arrival of the 2024 7-seater LM350h further fills the gap in catering to multi-member family users within the series — it retains the high-end quality of the LM family while balancing practicality and fuel efficiency with its 7-seat configuration and hybrid system. The main purpose of this test drive is to verify whether this vehicle can meet the daily commuting needs of families while continuing Lexus's consistent luxurious experience, and to evaluate the real-world performance of the hybrid system under local road conditions.

From the exterior, the 2024 LM350h maintains the family-style, bold design. The front features a large spindle-shaped intake grille paired with sharp LED headlights, making it highly recognizable. The side of the vehicle showcases smooth lines, and with its 5125mm length and 3000mm wheelbase, it ensures a spacious interior. The addition of 19-inch wheels enhances the refined appearance of the side profile. At the rear, horizontally arranged LED taillights are connected with chrome trim, presenting a design that is stable and aligns with the luxury MPV positioning. It avoids excessive flashy elements but still stands out noticeably on the road.

Stepping inside, the luxurious feel and attention to detail in the interior are impressive. The center console adopts a symmetrical layout, wrapped in large areas of soft-touch materials combined with wood grain panels, offering a premium and refined texture. The 14-inch widescreen touchscreen infotainment system operates smoothly, with built-in support for common functions, while the 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster clearly displays vehicle status. In terms of features, the front seats support 8-way electric adjustment, and the passenger seat offers 4-way electric adjustment. The middle row seats support a 40:20:40 split-folding configuration, and the third-row seats are equipped with an electric folding function, providing high versatility. The Lexus Climate Concierge dual-zone automatic climate control system allows precise temperature management inside the car, while the 21-speaker Lexus Premium audio system offers an excellent auditory experience for passengers.

The space performance is one of the core advantages of the 7-seater LM350h. With a wheelbase of 3000mm, the front row has spacious seating space, offering a 175cm-tall occupant two fist-widths of headroom after adjusting the seat. Second-row passengers enjoy over two fist-widths of legroom, and even with a child safety seat installed, there is no sense of crowding. The third row is also comfortable for adults, with about one fist-width of legroom, making short trips no problem at all. In terms of storage capabilities, the door storage slots, central console box, and other details provide ample storage. Folding down the third row further expands the trunk capacity, making it suitable for storing luggage during long family trips.

In the dynamic driving section, the LM350h is equipped with a 2.5L naturally aspirated engine paired with a permanent magnet synchronous motor hybrid system. The combined system power output is 186.4kW (253.5PS), matched with an E-CVT transmission. During daily driving, the vehicle primarily runs on the electric motor, offering smooth and quiet starts. The engine integration during acceleration is also quite seamless, with no evident jolting. When switching to sports mode, the power response becomes more agile, providing more confidence during overtaking. The official 0-100km/h acceleration time is 9.1 seconds, which is a moderate performance for an MPV weighing 2.8 tons.

In terms of handling, the steering wheel precision is quite good with minimal play. Even though the vehicle is larger in size, it doesn't feel cumbersome during daily driving. The combination of front MacPherson independent suspension and rear double wishbone independent suspension excels in filtering out road bumps. When passing over speed bumps or uneven road surfaces, the vibrations felt by passengers inside the car are minimal, ensuring comfort. However, body roll is more noticeable when cornering, which is a common issue with MPVs. It is recommended to slow down appropriately when taking corners.

Fuel efficiency is a key advantage of hybrid models. The official combined fuel consumption is 5.5L/100km. During actual test driving, the fuel consumption in urban conditions is approximately 6.2L/100km, and on highways, it's around 5.0L/100km. Overall, the performance meets expectations and can effectively reduce long-term operating costs for families. In terms of noise control, the vehicle performs very well in isolating wind and tire noise. Even at high speeds, the interior remains quiet. Only during rapid acceleration does the engine noise slightly enter the cabin, but it is not harsh.

Overall, the core advantages of the 2024 Lexus LM350h 7-seater version are clear: luxurious interior quality, spacious and flexible 7-seat configuration, economical hybrid fuel consumption, and a wealth of safety features (such as 7 airbags, ACC adaptive cruise control, 360-degree panoramic view, etc.). Compared to the Toyota Alphard Hybrid of the same class, the LM350h has a superior sense of luxury and attention to detail in terms of configuration. Although slightly more expensive, it offers a more premium driving and riding experience.

This car is suitable for users who value a luxurious experience and family practicality, especially families that often need to travel with multiple members. It can meet the demands of daily commuting with its fuel efficiency, while also offering comfortable seating space for family trips. If you are looking for a luxurious MPV with a sense of quality and practical 7-seat layout, the 2024 Lexus LM350h is a choice worth considering.