Verdict
For a Malaysian buyer, the RM240,000 gap is substantial. The seven-seat Lexus LM is the sensible choice when family or business transport needs all seven places, while retaining the 14-inch touchscreen, six airbags and adaptive cruise control. The four-seat Lexus LM changes the brief with 268 hp and 460 Nm, all-wheel drive and a 48-inch rear screen, against 188 hp, 236 Nm and front-wheel drive. Buy the pricier car for its rear-cabin experience and stronger drivetrain, not because it is more practical.
LM350h
Pick the Lexus LM if you need seven seats and want to keep RM240,000 in hand.
LM500h
Pick the Lexus LM if four-seat travel, all-wheel drive and the 48-inch rear screen matter more than maximum passenger capacity.
Key differences
- Price: RM1,228,000 vs RM1,468,000.
- Seating: 7 seats vs 4 seats.
- Engine output: 188 hp vs 268 hp.
- Engine torque: 236 Nm vs 460 Nm.
- Driveline: front-wheel drive vs all-wheel drive.
- Rear entertainment: 14-inch touchscreen with 10 speakers vs 14-inch touchscreen with 10 speakers plus a 48-inch split-view rear screen and twin HDMI ports.
LM350h
- Seven seats with a 40:20:40 middle row and power-folding last row.
- RM240,000 less to buy.
- 188 hp hybrid drivetrain with eCVT automatic.
- Front-wheel drive rather than all-wheel drive.
- 188 hp and 236 Nm trail the four-seat LM's 268 hp and 460 Nm.
- No 48-inch rear screen or twin HDMI ports.
LM500h
- 268 hp and 460 Nm hybrid-assisted turbo powertrain.
- All-wheel drive and six-speed automatic.
- 48-inch split-view rear screen with twin HDMI ports.
- Four seats versus seven.
- RM240,000 more expensive.
- Rear seating does not have the seven-seater's 40:20:40 middle row and power-folding last row.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM1,228,000✓ | RM1,468,000 |
| Body type | MPV | MPV |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM835 | RM754✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated, Atkinson cycle with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharger and Intercooler with Dual VVT-i with Hybrid Assistance |
| Capacity | 2,494 cc | 2,393 cc |
| Horsepower | 188 hp | 268 hp✓ |
| Torque | 236 Nm | 460 Nm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | 180 hp | 188 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 270 Nm | 461 Nm✓ |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | eCVT Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | E-CVT | Six-speed Automatic |
| Gears | — | 6 |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,125 mm | 5,125 mm |
| Width | 1,890 mm | 1,890 mm |
| Height | 1,955 mm | 1,955 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,000 mm | 3,000 mm |
| Fuel Tank | 60 litres | 60 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 110 litres | 110 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/55R19 | 225/55R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/55R19 | 225/55R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Primacy SUV+ | Michelin Primacy SUV+ |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 19" Multi-spoke Mesh Aluminium Alloys | 19" Multi-spoke Mesh Aluminium Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Multi-spoke Mesh Aluminium Alloys | 19" Multi-spoke Mesh Aluminium Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 7 Three-point | 4 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Adaptive High Beam and Sequential Indicators | LED Projector with Adaptive High Beam and Sequential Indicators |
| Taillamps | Full LED with Sequential Indicators | Full LED with Sequential Indicators |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 18-way Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function, Ventilated | 18-way Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function, Ventilated |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding Middle Row, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row with Power Fold | 50:50 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with Lexus Climate Concierge | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with Lexus Climate Concierge |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System with Lexus Climate Concierge | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System with Lexus Climate Concierge |
| Sunroof | Rear Panoramic Roof | Rear Panoramic Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front 12-volt, 4 Front USB, 2 Rear USB | 1 Front 12-volt, 4 Front USB, 2 Rear USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 4 Last Row | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row |
| Sun Shade | Powered rear sun shade and rear door window shades | Powered rear sun shade and rear door window shades |
| Audio | 14" Lexus Premium Audio Touchscreen with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and 10 Speakers | 14" Lexus Premium Audio Touchscreen with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and 10 Speakers, 48-inch Rear Screen with Split-view, twin HDMI ports |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Surround View Camera | Yes, with Surround View Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Door | Power Sliding with Soft-close Function, One-touch Auto Close, Anti-pinch | Power Sliding with Soft-close Function, One-touch Auto Close, Anti-pinch |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used cars for sale
LM350h vs LM500h FAQ
Is the Lexus LM or Lexus LM better?
Neither is universally better. The seven-seat Lexus LM is better for carrying more people, while the four-seat Lexus LM is better for buyers prioritising 268 hp, 460 Nm, all-wheel drive and rear-screen entertainment.
What is the price difference?
The four-seat Lexus LM costs RM240,000 more than the seven-seat Lexus LM.
Which Lexus LM has more seats?
The front-wheel-drive Lexus LM has seven seats. The all-wheel-drive Lexus LM has four seats, trading three passenger places for its more focused rear-cabin specification.
