Someone once told me that one of the biggest mistakes you can make while traveling is trying business class once. That’s because you have no frame of reference when flying in coach or economy class—so the moment you experience shorter lines, priority boarding, champagne on take-off, and lie-flat seats, it becomes an experience you can’t shake for the rest of your traveling life.
Every time you book a flight, you’ll be tempted to stretch your budget to accommodate such a luxury. You come up with arbitrary rules—say, for flights longer than six hours, you’ll try to buy an upgrade—or you constantly stalk credit card fairs and travel expos for the next 50% off business class tickets. You get obsessed. Such is the temptation of luxury.
The Lexus LM might have done to me what business class does to travelers around the world. Apt, since the rear seat of the LM350h is outfitted to a level that rivals airline business class. Which begs the question: Are we now obsessing over the riding experience of the LM as much as we yearn for a flight upgrade? Read on to find out.
Styling
It’s an MPV—a luxury one—but an MPV nonetheless, which means it’s slab-like, especially from the sides. That said, it does have a tasteful silhouette, and despite being over five meters long and almost two meters high, its sleek design evokes a ‘spaceship’ more than a people carrier.
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Up front, the previously awkward implementation of the signature Lexus spindle grille—often ill-suited to large vehicles—has been replaced with a more futuristic design. It works well, even at this size. It also helps that, being a hybrid, the LM adopts a grille design more in line with Lexus’ hybrid aesthetic.
It’s a bit shocking that beside a Toyota Land Cruiser LC200, the LM is just as tall. That goes to show the sheer scale of the vehicle. We like how it looks: It exudes quiet confidence in being an MPV, and we can respect that.
Interior
Oh, where do we begin? It’s fair to start with the front seats. There’s not much to say here. You’re greeted with very soft semi-aniline leather, and the seats are power-adjustable and heated/ventilated, but it’s nothing to write home about. Everything is within easy reach of the driver, with the large central screen and buttons angled toward the seat. It’s reminiscent of the GR Yaris, of all things, but it’s clear that the emphasis is placed on the rear, where the real party begins.
Extremely wide-opening automatic sliding doors greet you as you approach, revealing the height of luxury within. Grab onto the large ingress handles (a must for seniors or those with mobility issues) and settle into your seat, and it’s a revelation. Everything you expect from business class is here: reclining seats, leg rests, a 14-inch ceiling-mounted screen that supports HDMI input, and a surprisingly stable—if slightly small—tray table tucked into the armrest.
From there, the experience surpasses most business-class offerings. You get motorized blinds on the sides and the roof, offering a clear view of the sky while reclined or total privacy and darkness at the push of a button. The seats are also equipped with massagers that genuinely dig into your back and refresh you after a long day—a feature we now wish airlines offered.
Everything is controlled either by physical buttons along the ceiling and seat or, if you’re feeling fancy, a removable wireless controller housed in the armrest (one for each main seat). This smartphone-like device gives full control of seat functions, the audio system, and the air-conditioning. You can even activate the LM’s ‘Climate Concierge,’ which includes themed settings like ‘Dream.’ This automatically closes the blinds, cools the temperature, reclines your seat, and activates the seat cooler, all in one tap. It’s a slick, hassle-free way to set the mood for relaxation.
That was a long rundown, but the fact is, this is one of the best, most full-featured rear interiors we’ve ever experienced. The seats are large, plush, and solidly built. Everything moves and locks into place with a reassuring sense of quality. The sheer number of features would put many other luxury vehicles—and certainly most transport options—to shame.
Engine performance
The Lexus LM350h is powered by a 2.5-liter in-line four-cylinder engine paired with Lexus’ hybrid drive system, an eCVT, and all-wheel drive (in this specification). Combined output is around 246hp. For a vehicle of this size, it’s perfectly adequate. We never felt it needed more power, which is great—something this large could easily have felt sluggish. Acceleration off the line is good, and overtaking performance is solid.
The hybrid system delivers around 14 km/L in mixed driving conditions, which is excellent for a vehicle of this heft. Overall, the powertrain may not be exciting, but it certainly isn’t lacking. It’s more than sufficient for a vehicle that a chauffeur would most likely be driving.
Ride and handling
Ride and handling clearly prioritize passenger comfort. One of the adjustable suspension settings is literally called ‘Rear Comfort,’ which softens the ride for those in the back—and what comfort it provides.
The LM absorbs bumps with ease, even without the suspension travel of an SUV. More impressively, it remains remarkably flat through corners, which doesn’t just mean a better driving experience—it also means rear passengers aren’t tossed side to side. This is a key marker of refinement in luxury MPVs.
All in all, the LM focuses on one thing above all: comfort. And in that regard, it might just be the new industry benchmark.
Extra features
Name it, the LM likely has it. From a full suite of advanced driver-assist systems to fully-adjustable suspension and drive modes, it’s comprehensively equipped.
The digital rearview mirror makes rear visibility easy even with a full passenger load, though it takes some getting used to: The angle is slightly different from a traditional mirror, and the night image can be a bit noisy, as camera feeds tend to be. Speaking of cameras, while the LM is long and wide, a 360-degree camera system helps make parking and maneuvering in tight spaces far more manageable.
The 21-speaker Mark Levinson 3D surround sound system is state-of-the-art. It sounds fantastic, especially from the rear seats. It’s among the best we’ve experienced, perhaps just a step behind the system in the BMW i7 flagship—but that’s elite company.
Verdict
Going back to the business class analogy: The Lexus LM is a revelation in overland travel. If you have a driver—or someone who doesn’t mind being behind the wheel—and the means to afford this luxury MPV, there’s truly no going back to regular vehicles once you’ve experienced it.
Every time you’re stuck in traffic or even just driving, you’ll look back at your time in the LM and realize that Manila roads don’t have to be stressful. Traffic doesn’t have to be a hair-pulling experience. There is a better way: One where you can close the blinds, recline your seat, elevate your feet, and enjoy a massage while listening to stunning sound.
You’ll miss the experience. It will spoil you. And that, we feel, is the point—of both the Lexus LM and business class, of course.
SPECS: Lexus LM350h 2025 7-Seater
Price: P7,158,000
Engine: 2.5-liter gasoline I4 with electric motor
Power: 246hp (combined)
Torque: 243Nm at 4,300-4,500rpm (engine)
Drive layout: AWD
Seating: 7
Score: 18/20
Watch: Lexus LM350h review
More photos of the Lexus LM350h 2025:
