First Class On Four Wheels

Recline in an oasis of relaxation or have a private business meeting on the go—the four-seater LM 500h from Lexus ticks all the boxes.

- Low Weixian

THE BEST WAY to enjoy the LM 500h from Lexus is not to drive, but be driven in it. From its build and technical specifications to the suite of user features, the car seems to be conceived, designed and developed with a focus centred on wrapping its two rear passengers in a luxurious embrace.

"The inspiration for the development of the new Lexus LM was the increasingly diverse lifestyles of customers in the luxury segment," Lexus International's LM chief engineer, Takami Yokoo, said in a statement. "Our goal was to provide an environment that would allow busy individuals to relax in mind and body, free from the hustle and bustle of their daily lives."

For someone who'd rather be in the driver's seat, the idea of a full-day chauffeured LM experience felt like a test. I was intrigued by the idea of a four-seater though, after looking at images of the LM 500h online. "Fully reclining seats with massage functions, personalised screens and remotes. It's like business-class seats, but in a car instead of a plane," I said to a colleague, who had zero interest in anything automotive-related but whose curiosity was piqued by the description.