2025 Lexus LBX updated in Japan with new ‘Active’ trim - Sharper handling & quieter cabin

2025 Lexus LBX updated in Japan with new ‘Active’ trim – Sharper handling & quieter cabin

Lexus has announced the first minor update for the LBX, its smallest and most accessible SUV, nearly a year since it entered the Malaysian market. First launched here in early 2024, the LBX has served as a compact, hybrid-powered gateway into the Lexus brand — and now, a 2025 refresh promises improvements to ride comfort, cabin refinement and a new sporty trim variant.

The updated Lexus LBX went on sale in Japan on 15 May 2025, and while there is no official word on when it will reach Malaysian showrooms,

Key upgrades to the 2025 Lexus LBX are focused on improving ride quality and driving precision — areas Lexus says were refined at the Toyota Technical Center Shimoyama, the brand’s new global testing facility. Updates include:

Larger rear shock absorber cylinders
Revised suspension damping
Steering recalibration for better response

These changes aim to deliver a smoother and more confident ride, especially over uneven urban roads — something Malaysian drivers will appreciate given typical city traffic and road surfaces.

In addition, Lexus has worked on cabin quietness, making Active Noise Control (ANC) standard across all trims and adding new sound-absorbing material in the front fenders to further suppress road and engine noise.

A new trim level, dubbed ‘Active’, has been added to the Japanese lineup, introducing a bolder and more dynamic take on the LBX. It features:

Two-tone exterior colour options (e.g., Red Spinel with black roof)
Black L tex upholstery with red contrast stitching
A more youthful, athletic character compared to the more understated “Elegant” and “Relax” trims

The new variant joins the existing Elegant, Relax, Cool, and Bespoke Build options already offered in Japan. Whether the Active trim makes it to Malaysia remains to be seen — currently, Lexus Malaysia offers the LBX in two variants: LBX Premium and LBX Luxury, both equipped with the same hybrid powertrain.

There are no changes under the hood — all Lexus LBX models retain the 1.5-litre three-cylinder hybrid (M15A-FXE) engine paired with an e-CVT. Customers in Japan can still choose between front-wheel drive (2WD) and E-Four all-wheel-drive (AWD), though the Malaysian range is currently limited to 2WD only.

For context, here’s how the updated LBX variants are priced in Japan, along with estimated Malaysian Ringgit equivalents (based on an average exchange rate of ¥100 = RM3.10):

	Drivetrain	Price (JPY)	Approx. Price (RM)
Elegant	2WD / AWD	¥4,200,000 / ¥4,460,000	RM130,200 / RM138,300
Active	2WD / AWD	¥4,400,000 / ¥4,660,000	RM136,400 / RM144,500
Relax	2WD / AWD	¥4,600,000 / ¥4,860,000	RM142,600 / RM150,700
Cool	2WD / AWD	¥4,600,000 / ¥4,860,000	RM142,600 / RM150,700
Bespoke Build	2WD / AWD	¥5,500,000 / ¥5,760,000	RM170,500 / RM178,600