Toyota has just unveiled a new version of its flagship model, the Century, that takes the shape of an SUV. The Century sedan has been a symbol of prestige and exclusivity in Japan for over half a century, serving as the preferred choice for royalty, politicians, and business leaders. Now, the Century nameplate is expanding to include a crossover variant that offers unparalleled comfort, refinement, and customization for its discerning customers.
The Century SUV is based on the same TNGA-K platform as the Lexus TX and RX, but features a distinctive design that sets it apart from other Toyota and Lexus models. The front fascia is dominated by a large chrome grille flanked by split LED headlights, while the side profile showcases a long wheelbase and a boxy shape. The rear end has vertical taillights and a chrome bar that spans the width of the tailgate.
The Century SUV is available with two different types of rear doors: a conventional hinged door or a sliding door that opens and closes electrically. The sliding door option is exclusive to the GR Sport version, which also adds sportier wheels, tires, and badges to the otherwise conservative exterior.
The interior of the Century SUV is where the real magic happens. The cabin is designed to pamper the rear-seat passengers, who have access to a host of luxury features and amenities. The Century SUV adopts a four-seat layout with individual rear seats that can recline up to 77 degrees, allowing the occupants to lie almost flat. The seats are upholstered in premium leather and have heating, cooling, and massage functions. There is also a large center console that houses a touch screen, cup holders, and storage compartments.
The rear-seat passengers can also enjoy a state-of-the-art entertainment system that consists of a 12.3-inch display mounted on the ceiling and a pair of 10.1-inch displays attached to the front seatbacks. The system can play various media sources, such as Blu-ray discs, USB drives, or HDMI inputs. There is also a wireless charging pad and a 20-speaker JBL sound system that delivers high-quality audio.
The Century SUV also offers several options for customizing the interior according to the customer’s preferences. There are 12 different colors for the leather upholstery, six different colors for the wood trim, and four different colors for the carpet. The customers can also choose from various stitching patterns, embroidery designs, and metal accents to create their own unique combination.
The Century SUV is powered by a plug-in hybrid system that combines a 3.5-liter V6 engine with two electric motors. If it’s the same system as on the 2024 Lexus TX550+, then we are looking at a system that produces a total output of 406 horsepower and can drive up to 43 miles on electric power alone. The power is transmitted to all four wheels via an E-CVT gearbox that can vary the torque distribution from 100:0 to 20:80 between the front and rear axles. The Century SUV also features four-wheel steering that improves maneuverability and stability.
The Century SUV is not meant to be sporty or agile, but rather smooth and comfortable. Toyota has tuned the suspension, brakes, and noise control systems to provide a serene and relaxing ride for the rear-seat passengers. The suspension uses spring mass damping control to reduce vertical vibrations, while the brakes use lateral G reduction control to minimize lateral forces during braking. The noise control system uses active noise cancellation and sound insulation to create a quiet and peaceful environment inside the cabin.
The Century SUV is only available in Japan and will be produced in limited numbers of 30 units per month. The starting price is 18.9 million yen (about $170,000), which makes it one of the most expensive Toyota models ever made. The Century SUV is not just a car, but a statement of status and taste for Japan’s elite.
