Lexus LM500h Updated in Japan with a More Luxurious Interior

【PCauto】Lexus has officially rolled out the updated LM500h in Japan, marking the first major refresh for the flagship MPV since its global debut in 2023.

The new model keeps the signature spindle grille and sleek bodywork, but adds 12 specific upgrades aimed at improving rear-seat quietness, ease of use, and lighting performance.

Engineers Redesign LM500h’s Cabin for a Quieter Ride

To cut down on cabin noise, Lexus added triple-layer sound-absorbing material inside the wheel arches of the updated LM500h. The new insulation is 40% thicker than before and helps reduce mid-to-high-frequency tire noise by around 18% in real-world tests.

Engineers also redesigned the tailgate seals with a pressure-sensitive structure and added new vibration-damping sheets. As a result, cabin noise at 120 km/h is now measured at 61.8 decibels. That’s an improvement of 4.2 decibels compared to the pre-facelift version.

At the Tokyo launch event, Lexus Chief Engineer Hiroaki Tanaka explained, “We specifically tuned the stiffness of the bushings where the rear suspension connects to the body. By changing the rubber compound, we reduced road impact transmission by 15 percent. That directly improves ride comfort, especially on rough roads.”

Rear Cabin Controls Get a Smart Redesign in LM500h Facelift

In the top-spec four-seat version of the LM500h, Lexus has moved the electric sliding door controls from the ceiling to the touchscreen embedded in the center armrest. The system now supports gesture-based opening from up to 30 centimeters away, making access even more intuitive.

Inside the armrest, the smartphone tray does more than just offer 15W wireless charging. It also features a built-in cooling vent underneath to keep devices from overheating during longer drives.

The foot-sensing ambient lighting system now delivers up to 50 lux of brightness. Users can freely adjust the color temperature from a warm 2700K to a cooler 5000K, depending on their preference or mood.

Up top, the roof-mounted control panel features a new magnetic design that makes it easy to swap out decorative modules. Lexus says this customizable setup is already patent-pending.

At the media test drive event, product development director Kenji Tsukamoto shared some interesting insights behind the upgrades. “We reviewed usage logs from 300 current owners and found that more than 80% spend over 10 hours a week working from the rear seats,” he said. “The new foot lighting and magnetic control panel were created specifically to meet real needs like handling documents at night and securing devices during trips.”

LM500h Hybrid System Gets Three Key Upgrades

The LM500h keeps its T24A-FTS 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder turbocharged hybrid powertrain, but Lexus has made three important updates to its energy management system. The maximum speed in pure electric mode now rises from 85 km/h to 100 km/h, meeting the zero-emission requirements on urban expressways. The regenerative braking system adds a new "predictive charging" feature that adjusts energy recovery automatically using terrain data from the navigation system. The transmission shift logic has also been fine-tuned for MPV driving, cutting vehicle pitch by 20 percent during sudden acceleration.

Power figures stay the same. The gas engine delivers 275 horsepower and 460 Nm of torque. The front motor puts out 87 horsepower and 292 Nm. The rear motor produces 103 horsepower and 169 Nm. Together, the system offers 366 horsepower. The E-Four electronic all-wheel-drive system introduces a "slippery road priority" mode. It improves rear axle torque response speed by 30 percent.

Japan Market Offers Version L 6-Seater and Executive 4-Seater

The Japanese market offers two versions of the LM500h: the Version L 6-seater and the Executive 4-seater.

The 6-seater base model is priced at 450,000 Malaysian ringgit. It comes with manual sunshades and a standard sound insulation package.

The Executive 4-seater costs 603,000 Malaysian ringgit, a 3% increase from the previous model. It adds electrochromic glass and a fragrance diffusion system.

Buyers who choose the Executive model get a free upgrade to the “Silent Package” worth 10,069.50 Malaysian ringgit. This includes special wheel soundproofing and BOSE active noise-canceling headphones.

Brian Bolain, Lexus’ Global Marketing Vice President, confirmed the LM500h will launch in Southeast Asia in the fourth quarter of 2025. The Thailand version is expected to be delivered in early 2026. Local dealers have already opened registrations for interested buyers.

This LM500h facelift skips updates to autonomous driving hardware and instead focuses on improving ride comfort. It shows Lexus understands what high-end business users really want. While rivals race to pack in the latest tech, the LM doubles down on its core strength as a “mobile meeting lounge.”