One of the world’s most interesting minivans isn’t currently available to US customers, and whether it ever will remains to be seen. Lexus introduced the Lexus LM hybrid minivan for the 2020 model year, followed by the second-generation model in 2024. It’s been compared to a sci-fi vehicle, a private jet on wheels, and a small limo. Although I couldn’t find official sales figures, the LM is well-received by critics, with Car and Driver calling it “the ultimate Uber” and Britain’s Car magazine saying it’s “not your parent’s MPV.”
What’s so cool about the Lexus LM? What are the chances of ever seeing it stateside? As someone who rode in minivans for most of my childhood and thought they were the most boring vehicles ever, I never thought I could get excited about an MPV, but the Lexus LM proved me wrong. I’m betting that you’ll be licking your chops over it after this article, too.
What Is the Lexus LM?
I’ll start with the obvious query for those who have never heard of the Lexus LM. This luxury minivan is based on the Toyota Alphard/Vellfire, which was introduced to the Japanese market in 2002 and is presently available in Asia, Russia, the Middle East, and Belarus. Its initials stand for “Luxury Mover,” a play on words that you’ll soon see is appropriate.
The first-generation Lexus LM, sold from 2020 to 2023, could be purchased as a two-row, four-seat minivan or a three-row, seven-seat minivan. Buyers could also choose an internal combustion or self-charging hybrid engine. Beginning with the second generation, Lexus dropped the gas-only engine and added a six-seat option. The Lexus LM 350h uses the same 2.5L I-4 powertrain as the NX 350h and RX 350h, generating 247 hp. The Lexus LM 500h has a 2.4L turbo-four hybrid that combines for 366 hp.
What’s Cool About it?
I wouldn’t write an article about the Lexus LM just for being a hybrid minivan. Several other vehicles in the US already have this setup. When you step inside the LM, it’s clear why people salivate over this machine. The four-seat version is particularly transcendent, with Lexus saying it’s meant to be driven by a chauffeur.
The AVS suspension with Rear Comfort driving mode micro-adjusts the dampers for supreme cushiness at any speed. The second row has airplane-style reclining leather seats like those in first class. They come with reading lights, fold-away trays, built-in massagers, and sunshades. Rear passengers in the four-seat LM also have a 48-inch widescreen TV for watching videos, playing games, or conducting business meetings. There are even ottomans in the four-seater.
The cabin controller is set up like a smartphone to operate everything from climate to audio easily, and the van has microphones to hear voice commands from rear passengers. A retractable glass window separates the first row from the rear so occupants can talk, watch, or sleep peacefully. (The seats can be reclined to fully horizontal for catnaps.) A 14-liter refrigerator below the screen operates on the hybrid’s battery power, so chilled drinks and snacks are always handy. Two other small storage compartments let you secure personal belongings and valuables. Thick, luxurious carpeting makes you want to take your shoes off. And finally, a pair of umbrellas is behind the side doors to keep people dry when they step out in rainy weather, just like a Rolls-Royce..
Those who want to drive their Lexus LM instead of being driven will find plenty of goodies, too. It comes with Lexus Teammate driver tech, including Proactive Driving Assistance, Advanced Park mode, and Advanced Drive traffic support. There’s also an abnormal driver response system that monitors the driver’s posture for signs of falling asleep or having a medical emergency. Finally, the exterior has the Lexus Spindle Body front to boost aerodynamics and keep the engine cool for better efficiency.
In short, the Lexus LM isn’t the stereotypical minivan for bringing the kids to school and soccer practice. This is a minivan for business executives, movie stars, other VIPs, and people who want to feel like a VIP. All those awesome features come at a cost, of course. When the second-gen debuted, prices in Great Britain were as high as £113,000, which is currently about $146,000. If you have the cash, though, there’s no cooler minivan in my book.
Where Is the Lexus LM Available?
Unfortunately for readers who now want a Lexus LM, you can’t get one in North America. The reach greatly expanded with the second-generation launch, with plans to eventually offer the Lexus LM in over 60 markets, but the US and Canada are still left out in the cold. As of early 2025, it’s mainly available in the following regions and countries:
- Asia: Japan, China, India, Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia
- Europe: Azerbaijan, Denmark, Estonia, Georgia, Latvia, Lithuania, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, and the UK
- Australia
Why Should Lexus Bring the LM to the US?
The short answer comes back to what I said about the minivans I grew up riding in. For decades, Americans have seen minivans as dull, unimaginative family vehicles. The segment badly needs a jolt, as seen from sales numbers. Even though the US minivan market has rebounded a little over the last few years, it’s still a shadow of its former self. Wards Auto reports that 306,000 minivans were sold in 2023, compared to 1.3 million in 2000 and 540,000 in 2010.
The Lexus LM is the kind of vehicle that could transform minivans from “mom and grandma” cars to something millennials and Gen Z’ers want to be seen in. There isn’t a lot of competition, either. Even with the introduction of the Volkswagen ID.Buzz in 2025, only half a dozen passenger minivans are available in the U.S. The lineup consists of the ID.Buzz, Toyota Sienna Hybrid, Kia Carnival (gas or hybrid), Honda Odyssey, Chrysler Pacifica, and Chrysler Voyager. If it wants to, Lexus has a prime opportunity to make a splash as the first US luxury minivan.
Will America Eventually Get the LM?
In the words of MotorTrend, the chances of the Lexus LM ever coming to US shores, at least in its current form, are “highly, highly unlikely” for several reasons. Wide speculation is that the vehicle’s construction doesn’t meet US crash safety regulations, and redesigning it to do so would be cost-prohibitive. If the Lexus LM were ever to be Americanized, the most likely scenario is basing future generations on a new platform. Since the present generation is less than two years old as I write this, the next one is likely a ways off.
Even then, Lexus would have to fight the US perception of minivans I just talked about. Getting Americans to think minivans are cool isn’t going to happen overnight. Does Toyota/Lexus want to try and start the shift with a minivan that is expensive to produce, even before a redesign?
Finally, there’s the fact that SUVs and luxury SUVs already dominate the US market. In 2024, SUVs reached a record 58% market share, and the luxury percentage is rising. Lexus already sells many US luxury SUVs and crossovers like the NX, RX, TX, and RZ series, including several hybrids and PHEVs. Because of these factors, Lexus may view bringing the Lexus LM to North America as unnecessary at best and a high risk at worst.
Dreaming of a Luxury Minivan
Just because it’s unlikely to happen doesn’t mean I can’t dream about it, though. A cool vehicle is a cool vehicle regardless of its classification, and the Lexus LM is undeniably hip, tech-forward, and cozy. For passengers, it’s like having a rolling living room or private office. By all accounts, the driving experience is pretty good, too. Count me among those hoping Lexus will eventually devise a way to bring the LM minivan to the US and find the justification to do so.
