--- title: "This Is the Luxury Minivan Lexus Doesn’t Have the Guts To Sell in the US" date: "2023-04-18" modified: "2023-04-18" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/this-is-the-luxury-minivan-lexus-doesnt-have-the-guts-to-sell-in-the-us" categories: - "Lexus News" - "News" - "News by Brand" --- # This Is the Luxury Minivan Lexus Doesn’t Have the Guts To Sell in the US ![]() Vans are cool. I don't make the rules. They just are. Unfortunately for us Yanks, there aren't a ton of interesting vans available in the U.S. The [Kia Carnival ]()and Volkswagen[ ID.Buzz]() are helping bring Van Life™ back to the States, but we're missing a genuine luxury van, such as the 2024 [Lexus]() LM that just debuted at the 2023 Shanghai auto show. The "LM" name stands for "Luxury Mover," as the original Lexus LM debuted in 2020 as a premium chauffeur-driven MPV in the Chinese market. But burgeoning demand caused Lexus to rethink and redesign the new LM, and is now offering it in over 60 different countries, including Japan and most of European. Just not here. ![]() ![]() ![]() Among the improvements made to the new Lexus LM are a 50% increase in chassis rigidity, a new adaptive suspension with a "Frequency-Sensitive Piston Valve" to smooth out suspension vibration, and even improved seat cushions. All the upgrades to the new LM were made for increased passenger comfort. It even has a "Rear Comfort" driving mode, which adjusts suspension, throttle, and steering settings to keep rear seat passengers as comfy as possible. Lexus also cuts down on cabin noise with a three-step approach: reducing generated noise (the source of the noise), sound entering the cabin, and sound absorption once any noise does make its way into the cabin. Since most people use vans as utilitarian people movers, a luxury van's design has to stand out if it wants to be taken seriously by premium customers. The Lexus LM will have no trouble there. The LM looks like a futuristic robot sloth with its funky high-tech version of Lexus' signature "Spindle Body" grille, high hood line, and expressive headlights. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() The LM will be available in four, six, and seven-seat configurations. The four-seat version is the most luxurious, with a partition separating the driver from the rear passengers, a fold-out table in the armrest, and a 48-inch widescreen display. Complimenting that 48-inch screen is a 23-speaker Mark Levinson sound system that turns the LM into a rolling movie theater. The four seats get heated armrests and ottomans, along with a clever "Warmth-Sensing IR Matrix Sensor" that detects the body temperature of passengers and adjusts the cabin temperature accordingly. The four-seat models are designed to be chauffeur-driven, while the six and seven-seat models are more versatile and can be used as limos or even for families. ![]() ![]() ![]() Powering the Lexus LM is a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder hybrid or a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid, similar to the [Toyota Crown](). Lexus hasn't announced any pricing yet, but it won't be found in American showrooms, regardless of cost. Hopefully, some cool new vans on the market will do well enough for Lexus—and any other brand brave enough to make a luxury van—to bring one here too. *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()