Last word on comfort

C Hung

Available in only a select few Asian markets, the Lexus LM350 marks the brand's foray into the luxurious multi-purpose vehicle market. Dozens of units have been sold in the distributor's pre-sale program aimed at customers looking for a classy MPV.

Future owners can get a preview of the vehicle at the Japanese brand's flagship Kowloon Bay showroom.

The silhouette of the LM350 may look familiar to many road users. The vehicle is based on the Toyota Alphard, a perennial market leader in the premium MPV segment.

It has been a long-standing practice for the sister brands, Lexus and Toyota, to share significant parts and components between selected models. This decades-long method suggests a high market acceptance of the practice.

There are two versions of the LM350 for the Hong Kong market: the standard seven-seater version and the four-seated Emperor Suite are priced at around HK$1.16 million and HK$1.47 million, respectively. In comparison, the Toyota Alphard Executive Lounge, comparable to the LM350 standard version, is priced at HK$839,100.

For customers who are willing to pay out for the Emperor Suite, and write the deposit check now, it won't be available until the year after due to limited production. A hot item, the Emperor Suite's entire yearly Hong Kong allocation has already sold out.

Do the upgrades from a base Toyota to a more premium Lexus justify the price difference - an amount that is about the cost of a Lexus CT200h or a Toyota Camry sedan?

As far as the major mechanics are concerned, both the Lexus and Toyota models are built on the same chassis. They share the drivetrain combining the 3.5-liter V6 engine and automatic six-speed transmission, while employing the same driver assistance and safety equipment.

However, there are distinctive modifications to the Lexus LM350's mechanics to validate the use of the more premium badge.

According to an executive from the local distributor who saw the pre-production model in Japan last year, compared to the Alphard, the LM350's chassis benefits from an added level of stitch wielding. The process increases the body's rigidity and stiffness, offering enhanced safety.

In terms of comfort, the Lexus LM350 uses a more sophisticated suspension set-up featuring a swing-valve system to offer a more nuanced ride quality.

Future owners who are familiar with the Toyota Alphard will also notice a raised level of comfort thanks to the use of viscoelastic urethane foam car seats. It is the first application of this trademarked technology, called AdaptiPedic, in the seat pads of any Lexus, or in fact any vehicle in the automotive world.

In addition, the long-standing collaboration with premium audio equipment manufacturer Mark Levinson means the LM350 is equipped with the brand's cutting-edge audio system. The standard version comes with 17 speakers, while the Emperor Suite boasts 19 speakers.

The Emperor Suite's interior is among the highest levels of comfort and spaciousness on wheels. Some ultra-luxurious features of the four-seater include a power partition between the front and rear compartments, a brace of Royal-class seats, a 14-liter refrigerator (yes, big enough for a couple of champagne bottles) and a sophisticated rear-seat entertainment system featuring a 26-inch multi-media monitor.

Customers have a choice of two colors for the body (black or white) and interiors (all-black or white with black), for both versions.

staff.reporter@singtaonewscorp.com