First-Class on Wheels: Review of the LM 350h Takumi Limousine
Comfort Meets Craftsmanship, a Symphony of Style and Substance, the in depth review of the LM 350h Takumi.
LM 350h Takumi Review
There was only one way to review the LM 350h Takumi Limousine: to drive it as it was meant to be driven—as a chauffeur. I committed to chauffeuring a young aristocratic lady every day, allowing us to enjoy both sides of the LM 350h: the luxurious comfort of the passenger’s lounge and the perspective of the driver. It was an interesting week... But first, let’s start with the specs before diving into the emotional experience.
Under the bonnet, you'll find a sophisticated 2.5 litre, 4-cylinder in-line engine, paired with an E-CVT transmission so smooth it feels like it’s been buttered. With a total system output of 247 bhp (184 kW), it has enough power to make you feel like royalty on the motorway—without spilling your cappuccino. There's an electric motor over each axle so all-wheel-drive is smooth as caramel, plus the hybrid recharging system means you never have to worry about plugging in or running out of juice for those long aiport pickups. The petrol engine powers the front wheels only.
Fuel economy is an impressive 39.2 mpg (combined WLTP), so you won’t need to remortgage the house to keep it running. It’ll do 0 to 62 mph in a brisk 8.7 seconds, perfect for those moments when you’re fashionably late to brunch. And with a top speed of 118 mph, it’s fast enough to thrill but polite enough not to scare the neighbours. Mind you anything that weighs over 2.3 tonnes with a Lexus grille will put the fear of god into oncoming traffic.
This ride is all about style and convenience. It rolls in on sleek 19” cast alloys, making every journey look effortlessly cool. The two fixed rear sunroofs let the sunlight pour in, adding a touch of open-air vibes for the backseat crew. The auto-folding, auto-dimming, heated door mirrors come with a reverse tilt function and integrated turn indicators—because who doesn’t love a bit of tech that makes parking feel pro? Up front, the LED headlights with an Adaptive High-Beam System light the way like a champ, while the power tailgate with a kick sensor takes the hassle out of loading up—just a little nudge with your foot, and you're sorted.
Step inside, and it’s like entering a first-class lounge. The Lexus Link Pro multimedia system with a massive 14-inch touchscreen makes every interaction feel futuristic and seamless. For the audiophiles, the 23-speaker Mark Levinson system with 3D Surround Sound will have you finding excuses to take the long way home. LED ambient lighting offers 64 colours and 14 pre-sets to match your vibe.
The 7-inch information display in the instrument panel keeps you in the know, and rear-seat massage functions with seven different programmes make backseat driving a luxury sport. Add in folding tables in the rear armrests and a 360-degree panoramic view, and you’ll wonder why anyone would ever want to get out. The driver's digital rearview mirror, which is necessary due to the divider blocking the rear view, takes a little getting used to but works well.
Of course, the standout wow factor as you enter the plush, spacious cabin is the humongous 48-inch HD widescreen TV with dual HDMI ports—perfect for keeping everyone entertained. Each rear seat comes with its own removable remote control, cleverly designed like a mobile phone for ease of use. These give you total control over every aspect of the car—it’s like being drunk on power. Bwah, ha, ha!
The seats are absolutely unbeatable for comfort—Joey and Chandler from Friends would be in seventh heaven. The backs fully recline all the way to flat, there are seven massage settings, leg supports that rise up, and that giant screen TV. Baywatch has never looked so good. It’s heaven on wheels!
You can even split the screen to watch two different films at the same time, though it’s infinitely better to share the massive widescreen TV together. That said, sometimes two people simply don’t share the same taste in movies...
Up front, it’s almost as luxurious—though more akin to business class compared to the first-class experience in the back. Driving it feels like piloting a house—a really comfortable one—a super-modern country estate on wheels.
The suspension is perfectly tuned to smooth out every bump, gliding softly as if on a cushion of air. After all, one mustn’t disturb the princess in the back—she might drop her phone. Disaster!
A quick aside—I wasn’t initially keen to review the LM. Most of our experiences are centred on driver-focused touring, and this is all about the backseat. Plus, I couldn’t imagine who would want to buy this. It’s uglyyy! As the old Irish saying goes, it looks like it hit every branch on the way down from the ugly tree. But is it, really?
After extended periods of serene driving, I found my mindset shifting. Despite its size, the LM is still compact enough to go almost anywhere—smaller than a Mulsanne, significantly more affordable, and undeniably more comfortable in the back than any other production car on the market. I also realised something: a Mulsanne only accommodates two passengers in the back as well—because, let’s face it, no one wants to sit up front with the driver!
Performance is everything you’d expect—luxurious, powerful, and more than quick enough for those critical airport-to-5-star-resort dashes. Changing lanes is swift and smooth, ensuring the all-important passengers in the back remain undisturbed—because heaven forbid they spill their champagne or miss a crucial moment of Downton Abbey!
Braking is confident and linear, with no lag—probably a wise move, given the weight of this beast. Of course, there's a bit of lateral movement around corners, but then again, you're not exactly meant to be tearing around Le Mans in the 24 Hours race, are you?
The electronically controlled suspension keeps the ride super smooth, no matter the road surface—even here in the UK, which is truly something to be lauded. Driver visibility is spot on, thanks to the sloped front bonnet that lets you line the car up with pitch-perfect precision. Parking is surprisingly easy, with rear and overhead cameras making it possible to squeeze into spaces that look downright impossible—provided there's at least 2.5 metres, of course.
For £113,000, you get a limo that goes anywhere, is surprisingly manoeuvrable, and comes packed with billionaire-style comfort and space. Even a Ford van, famously kitted out by Guy Ritchie with a Chesterfield sofa and a superb sound system in the back, would now set you back upwards of £70k. And, let’s be honest, it’s still a Ford van—and the LM certainly holds its own when it comes to discretion.
This is the ultimate passe-partout limousine—it turns on a dime! Not bad for a 5.1-metre limo that’s 1.8 metres wide. Cabin insulation is impressive too; even a sandstorm would barely disturb your movie.
No wonder there’s a two-year waiting list. Hotels and cab companies can't get enough of them. It’s half the price of its luxury competitors, with more tech to boot. Lexus seems to have spotted a massive gap in the market—and they've filled it with style, comfort, and a touch of genius.
Even the bulbous exterior began to grow on me after a while. The front is impressive, and you feel pretty great inside, even at the front, driving her majesty. However, it was a bit annoying that she could shut the connecting window on me, and I couldn’t stop her, as the rear had overriding control. I looked around for an intercom—no luck. Maybe there isn't one? There really should be, though, because with that window shut, you can’t hear the passengers at all. Hmm, maybe that’s the point…
Though you can get the LM without the divider, I suspect most won’t. The side window blinds provide even more privacy, while the roof can switch between opaque and clear at your command. The interior is opulent, with a lavish finish throughout, featuring high-quality materials like soft cream leather. The two rear seats are the most spacious and luxurious you’ll find in any car, aside from a bespoke American limousine—though that’s not exactly making its way through London's narrow lanes or the never-ending roadworks anytime soon.
Making anything van-sized attractive is pretty much impossible, yet somehow, Lexus has pulled it off in a strange and almost magical way. Yes, it still looks like a whale crossed with a wide-mouthed shark, but it’s surprisingly pretty in the right light. It’s undeniably the most comfortable limousine in its class, designed to compete with the Mercedes EQ series and even higher-end models like Bentley and Rolls-Royce. The rear cabin is the pinnacle of luxury—ideal for unwinding after a long-haul flight, heading for your private island. It’s first-class travel all the way in the new Lexus LM, and honestly, it’s even a pleasure to drive.
From £90.000 (FWD 7-seat)
Lexus LM 350h Takumi AWD 4-seat £112,995
