Browse over 9,000 car reviews

BMW 850I vs Lexus LM 500H

What's the difference?

VS
BMW 850I
BMW 850I

2020 price

Lexus LM 500H
Lexus LM 500H

$220,272 - $220,272

2025 price

Summary

2020 BMW 850I
2025 Lexus LM 500H
Safety Rating

Engine Type
Twin Turbo V8, 4.4L

Inline 4, 2.4L
Fuel Type
Premium Unleaded Petrol

Premium Unleaded Petrol
Fuel Efficiency
10.5L/100km (combined)

6.6L/100km (combined)
Seating
4

4
Dislikes
  • Price
  • Glass gear lever may appall aesthetes
  • Rear seats tiny

  • Privacy screen separting back seats
  • Not much space up front
  • Expensive
2020 BMW 850I Summary

Can a car company show off? It seems absurd; the kind of embarrassing, unedifying behaviour that only ego-driven, status-obsessed human beings engage in. And yet look at BMW’s new 8 Series, with its shinily silly cut-glass gear lever, its laser headlights, its outrageously powerful V8 engine and its bullfrog-but-beautiful stance - surely this is showing off on a corporate scale?

To be fair, when a car company makes a new range-topper - and BMW only applies the number 8 to its most special vehicles, think Z8 and i8 - it really is about making a kind of look-at-me statement. 

A car as obviously ostentatious as the M850i xDrive Coupe (and Convertible) has to appeal to buyers, even if it’s only a small and wealthy target market. And there is plenty that’s appealing about this old-fashioned yet modern-looking grand tourer, from the incredible way it accelerates to its luxuriant ride quality and decadent interior.

It would want to be impressive, of course, with a price tag of $272,900 (or $9000 more for the Convertible).

So, has the new 8 Series BMW got what it takes to separate the very rich from their hard-earned megabucks? We donned our shiniest shoes and went to the launch to find out.

View full pricing & specs
Interested in a BMW 850I?
2025 Lexus LM 500H Summary

In 15 years as a car reviewer there have been plenty of super luxurious cars and there has been plenty of people moving. But not many super luxurious people movers. Until now. Until the Lexus LM 500h.

This people mover costs a quarter of a million dollars. And if that caught your attention you probably also want to know what that buys you. My family and I found out when we lived with the LM 500h Ultra Luxury for a week.

View full pricing & specs
Interested in a Lexus LM 500H?

Deep dive comparison

2020 BMW 850I 2025 Lexus LM 500H

Change vehicle