2020 Lexus LM 300h launched in Thailand, pricier than S-Class, available with either 4 or 7 seats

If your regular Toyota Alphard and Vellfire aren’t posh enough for your liking, you might want to pay attention to the 2020 Lexus LM 300h.

The luxury people-carrier comes in two variants, a 4-seater and a 7-seater variant. The 4-seater costs a cool 6.5 million baht (RM 874,556 in the current exchange rate) while 7 seater is 1 million baht lesser (RM 740,107).

Mind you, a Mercedes-Benz S350d Exclusive is priced at 6.39 million baht (RM 859,790), thus making LM 300h as one of the priciest car in Thailand’s premium automotive market. This is also contributed by high import duties imposed by the government as it is imported from Japan versus the locally assembled S-Class.

For comparison, a similar bodied Toyota Alphard/Vellfire, the starting price is only at 3.74 million baht (RM 503,790).

Laden with technology and safety features, the main highlight is the massive glass partition pane with a 26-inch screen and refrigerator, available only on the 4-seater variant. 

Both models are luxuriously equipped with expertly stitched leather trim and a distinctive new gin-sui-boku (silver ink) ornamentation, inspired by the Japanese art of ink wash painting. 

The LM300h is powered by the familiar 197 hp 2.5-litre four-cylinder hybrid. Front-wheel drive is standard here while all-wheel drive can be had as an option.

Currently, there are no plans to bring the LM 300h for the Malaysian market.