Lexus LM vs Volkswagen Touareg
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular cars compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Lexus LM
From $160,888
People Mover
Hybrid
2.5L Petrol-Electric Hybrid (A25A-FXS)
184kW
5.5 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
110L
Volkswagen Touareg
From $86,790
SUV
Diesel
Diesel
170kW
7.3 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
810L
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Price Breakdown
The Lexus LM starts from $160,888 before on-road costs, while the Volkswagen Touareg opens at $86,790. That makes the Volkswagen Touareg the more affordable entry point by $74,098.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $176,977 and $95,469 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Lexus LM by roughly $2,565 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Feature Showdown
The Lexus LM features a 14-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Volkswagen Touareg gets a 15-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Lexus LM stands out with heated front seats, ventilated seats, Mark Levinson audio and ambient lighting that you will not find on the Volkswagen Touareg. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Lexus LM uses a 2.5L Petrol-Electric Hybrid (A25A-FXS) producing 184kW and 239Nm of torque, sent through a cvt to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 9.1 seconds.
The Volkswagen Touareg responds with a Diesel making 170kW and 500Nm, paired to a auto driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8 seconds.
The Lexus LM has the clear power advantage at 184kW vs 170kW. In the real-world sprint, the Volkswagen Touareg is 1.1s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Lexus LM measures 5,130mm long on a 3,000mm wheelbase, 241mm longer than the Volkswagen Touareg at 4,889mm (2,894mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Lexus LM generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 110L in the Lexus LM and 810L in the Volkswagen Touareg, giving the Volkswagen Touareg a 700L advantage. The Lexus LM seats 7 vs 5.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.8m to 12.0m
Based on 11.8m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 12.0m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,568/year for the Lexus LM and $2,081/year for the Volkswagen Touareg. That is a $513 annual difference in favour of the Lexus LM.
Estimated annual total: $1,568 (Lexus LM) vs $2,081 (Volkswagen Touareg). The Lexus LM saves you roughly $513 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years (Lexus LM) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Volkswagen Touareg). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Lexus LM if: You prioritise performance, want lower running costs, or prefer Lexus's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Volkswagen Touareg if: You want the lower entry price, need more boot space, or prefer Volkswagen's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Volkswagen Touareg takes 3 of 5 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The Lexus LM will save you roughly $513 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Volkswagen Touareg has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Lexus LM and Volkswagen Touareg?
The Volkswagen Touareg is the cheapest at $86,790 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Lexus LM by $74,098.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Lexus LM uses the least fuel at 5.5L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
None of Lexus LM and Volkswagen Touareg carry a published ANCAP rating yet — check back as they are tested.
Which has the most boot space?
The Volkswagen Touareg has the largest boot at 810L.
Which can tow the most?
The Volkswagen Touareg has the highest braked towing capacity at 3,500kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Lexus LM makes the most power at 184kW. The Volkswagen Touareg is quickest to 100km/h in 8s.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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