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Toyota is known for a lot of things: badass off-roaders, solid-state batteries, hydrogen, being somewhat opposed to going all-electric, and whatnot. Yet if there’s one thing the company is less known for, it is luxury vehicles. That latter part is usually delegated to its high-end sub-brand: Lexus. However, the centenary manufacturer does have a few premium vehicles under its own name, such as the ultra-suave Toyota Vellfire, or the Toyota Century. In Japan, the latter has been synonymous with higher status for almost six decades.
Typically known as a sedan, the Century is now set to come back as an SUV for its fourth-generation model. Despite the change of frame, the distinguishing traits are still present. The Century SUV proudly boasts its origins with an old-school-looking, imposing grille, enhanced with quad LED headlights. The luxurious cabin is also present at the rendezvous, and customizable to the whims of its lofty clientele. Buyers lucky enough to mount the upcoming high-end hybrid SUV, will be part of a select few, as the company only intends to release 30 units per month. Sales are expected to kick out in late 2023, in Japan, before the company even considers taking the Century SUV to the United States. The starting price is estimated to be around $170,000, and it might very well be worth it.
The Toyota Century SUV Offers A Cabin Like No Other
The Century SUV offers a premium atmosphere on the inside, befitting its hefty price tag, unlike a solid portion of expensive EVs nowadays. Then again, such suavity is to be expected from a vehicle starting way north of a hundred grand. This upcoming generation appears set to extend the legacy of its predecessor in terms of cabin styling. Repurposed materials are not out of the equation either. In any case, the cockpit will leave little to be desired in terms of luxury. Being centered around comfort, we can also expect a fair share of sound-deadening materials, so that both the owner and the chauffeur can enjoy a peaceful ride.
The latter will notably benefit from a large infotainment screen, complemented with a 12.3-inch instrument cluster. The wide dashboard gives the vibe of an old-school luxury vehicle. The Century is not trying to be forcibly modern with a minimalist theme, and it’s something we can sincerely appreciate. The rear doors can open up to a 75-degree angle, and are completed with electric side steps.
Sliding doors are also made available on the sporty “GR” version. The cargo space is also isolated with a clear laminated glass, to separate the noise and enhance the tranquility of the luxurious SUV. Clients will notably get to customize the interior in various bi-color tones and different fabrics and materials. Although the interior technology hasn’t been fully revealed yet, we can expect some blasts from the Toyota Century to reemerge in the SUV version. The features should thus notably include:
- Bespoke wood trim accents
- Raised ceiling
- Rear LCD-screen
- 11.6-inch rear seat entertainment system
- 20-speaker sound system
- 7-inch touchscreen control panel
- Privacy curtains
- Multi-zone automatic HVAC system
Despite being a full-size SUV, this upcoming Century will only have four seats to offer, which is kind of bothersome on such a pricey chariot, supposedly centered around comfort and accommodation.
The SUV Might Churn Out Up To 400 Horsepower
Beneath its gargantuan frame, the Century SUV will carry a plug-in-hybrid setup. The latter is powered by a 3-5 liter V-6 engine, with an all-wheel drive layout. As of now, we have yet to be given any official details in terms of specifications, but we do have some approximations to work with. BestCarWeb speculates around 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque on the premium SUV.
On the other hand, the Century SUV could very well boast power specs similar to the Lexus TX 550h+, since it is likely to share the same TNGA-K platform. This would entail around 406 horsepower, and around 33 miles of electric range. Aside from that, Toyota has revealed the dimensions and the overall weight. The SUV tips the scale at 5600-plus pound curb weight, making it just as heavy as the Chevrolet Tahoe or the Ford Expedition XLT MAX.
2024 Toyota Century SUV Dimensions
|
Length |
205 inches |
|
Width |
78.35 inches |
|
Height |
71.06 inches |
|
Wheelbase |
116.14 inches |
|
Weight |
5,666 pounds |
The wheelbase is remarkably short for a limo-SUV, with 116.1 inches. Comparatively, a BMW 5 Series has a 117.9-inch wheelbase. Aside from that, the Century SUV should match its mechanical power with an accommodating driving experience. If it is truly set to borrow its tech from the sedan, then the SUV should include the latest edition of the Toyota Safety Sense package. The latter entails the following features:
- Adaptive High Beam System (AHS)
- Radar Cruise Control
- Pre-Collision System (PCS), for vehicles and pedestrians
- Lane Departure Alert (LDA)
- Lane Keeping Assist (LKA)
- Blind Spot Monitor
- Parking Support Alert
- 360-degree system
The Toyota Century Is A Legend In Its Own Right
The Toyota Century sedan is the automotive embodiment of Japanese luxury. Over the years, the Century has been a carriage of opulence, and the only Japanese production car to carry a V-12 under its skin. Aimed towards Japanese business people and political figures, the Century managed to distinguish itself by becoming a symbol of national pride, effectively dethroning the likes of Bentley, Rolls-Royce, and Buick among a niche clientele of patriotic inclinations. Instead of being a mere imitation of Western vehicles, the Century came with an identity of its own. As a matter of fact, the car derived its name from the 100th birthday of Sakichi Toyoda, as it made its debut in 1967.
The first generation marched in the footsteps of another legendary vehicle: the Toyota Crown, which was the first car to incorporate a V8. Initially, the first-gen Toyota churned out 150 horsepower, combined with 173 pound-feet of torque; these specs gradually increased over the years. The 1973 model debuted with a 3.4-liter V-8 engine, and added climate controls, front disk brakes, and electromagnetic locks. The 1980s would mark an uptick in popularity for the Century, thanks to an economic boom in Japan, which attracted even more high-class customers to the luxury sedan. In 1989, a limousine variant would be introduced.
By 1992, the power engine had morphed into a 4.0-liter 5V engine. Things would reach the next level by 1997 when the Century hit the streets with the historic V12 engine, which has yet to be seen on another Japanese production car to this day. The third generation wouldn’t arrive until 2018, with a more modern exterior styling. The new model transitioned from a double-wishbone to a multi-link suspension. Funnily enough, the best version so far also happens to be the rarest, with only 50 units produced per year. As previously mentioned, the Century name is set to make itself even more scarce when it hits the market in its SUV frame in 2023.
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