BMW X7 or this quarter-of-a-million dollar people mover? 2024 Lexus LM goes on sale in the UK ahead of Aussie arrival, and signs indicate it won't come cheap

They say people movers are the new SUVs, well …they don’t at all, but the Lexus LM has just arrived in the UK ahead of its Australian launch and its dripping with so much poshness you might just be tempted out of a Mercedes GLS or BMW X7, but it won’t be cheap.

The seven-seater LM (or Luxury Mover) has gone on sale in the UK in two grades starting with the LM 350h which in front-wheel-drive form is £89,995 and £92,995 with all-wheel drive. In Australian dollars comes out to be about $171,000 and $177,000, respectively.

But it’s the range topping all-wheel drive 350h Takumi which has caught our eyes with its £112,995 price tag or about $215,000!

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That’s playing well within the same field as the big, eight-seat BMW X7 which starts with a list price of $174,900 before on-road costs and tops out at $205,900. Another close price and seat match is the Mercedes-Benz GLS which begins at $170,169 and heads north to $289,800. 

Now, to be fair, UK pricing rarely reflects Australian pricing this directly, but with the LM positioned close to the LC coupe (from £95,515 for the 500h hybrid) overseas, the LM could very well start close to the Aussie-delivered LC 500h that starts at $194,348 before on-road costs.

So, what do you get in a people mover worth almost a quarter of a million bucks? A lot of luxury. We’re talking fully reclinable leather upholstered seats, a 48.0-inch display for TV and movies for those in the back with a bespoke 23 speaker Mark Levinson surround sound stereo system, there are thermal sensors to direct climate control to areas which are too cold or warm, and a dimming dividing screen so as to create a more private space away from those up front.

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The entry-grade LM 350h also is well appointed with semi-aniline leather seats, twin sunroofs, dual-zone climate control and a 14.0-inch display for the rear passengers, plus 21 speaker Mark Levinson sound system.

The LM rides on the same platform as the Toyota Alphard and all UK models are powered by a 2.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid system also found in the 184kW Lexus RX SUV.  

It's yet to be seen what powertrains will be on offer when the LM arrives in Australia, but Lexus has confirmed the model will be arriving here and you can expect that to be before the end of the year. Until then buyers can register their interest at the Lexus website.