It seems like every car on the road is slowly becoming a crossover, and luxury sedan icons certainly aren’t exempt from this phenomenon. The Toyota Century SUV was revealed in Japan on Tuesday night, and it’s simultaneously everything we expected and nothing like its competitors. This monument to opulence takes the rules of the ultra-luxe SUV segment and turns them on their heads in a way that only Japan could manage.
For more than half a century, the Toyota Century has represented the ultimate in no-holds-barred Japanese luxury cars. With impeccable craftsmanship, offerings of V8, V12, and hybrid power over the years, and a customer list including royalty, it really is the Japanese Rolls-Royce. Except Rolls-Royce wishes it had paint this nice. Equally intriguing, Century is an insular brand, made exclusively for the Japanese market. One of the finest executive barges ever, and we can’t have it. These days, more and more old Century sedans are making their way stateside, so this Century SUV is a glimpse of what sort of JDM imports to expect a quarter of a century from now.
For starters, this new SUV is incredibly regal to behold. From the traditional A-line to the strong beltline, Toyota nailed the presence of the Century SUV. It makes the Bentley Bentayga’s nouveau-riche styling seem all the more tactless, and the Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 look a tad downmarket. Sure, the slabs of silver trim on the lower body may not age well, but they really break up the sheetmetal without detracting from the imposing nature of this beast. However, there is one detail that points to something interesting lying beneath the surface. Notice how close the front wheel arch is to the front door?
As you can probably tell by the short dash-to-axle ratio, this new Century SUV is really a Highlander with extra steps. While the Century sedan rides on the same longitudinal N platform that underpinned the Lexus LS600hL, the Century SUV rides on the TNGA-K platform seen underneath pretty much every larger front-wheel-drive Toyota product launched since 2017. Yes, that also includes the Camry, Sienna, and RAV4. On the plus side, this means the Century offers the rear-wheel-steering from the Lexus RX. On the minus side, it’s not exactly the most special platform out there, is it?
Under the hood sits a 3.5-liter 2GR-FXS quad-cam V6 engine mated to a plug-in hybrid system. There’s an eCVT consisting of two motor-generator units up front, and another electric motor out back for electric all-wheel-drive. Combined output? A respectable 406 horsepower. It’s essentially the same powertrain offered in the Lexus TX 550h+, so once these things turn 25, some level of parts support in America should exist.
Of course, given that this is still a Century, it’s mildly insane in its pursuit of luxury. For instance, Toyota also unveiled a GR-badged Century with completely different rear doors from the standard model. While the regular doors open to an impressive 75 degrees, the GR version features sliding doors with hidden tracks. While you can argue among yourselves how this might make it the world’s most expensive minivan, the choose-your-own-door adventure is certainly a Shyamalan twist. Toyota also claims that the new Century SUV is the quietest car it’s ever produced, an impressive feat considering the Century sedan is renowned for its serenity. Partially-responsible is the sealed luggage compartment separated from the passenger area by laminated glass. It’s a trick previously used by Volvo on the XC90 Excellence, seeing as open cargo areas act as resonance chambers.
In addition, the two individual rear seats recline nigh-on horizontal to let passengers truly relax, while the rear passenger compartment is festooned in luxury gadgets and gizmos. There are two detachable touchscreen tablets in the rear center console for controlling various interior functions, a proper fridge tucked in between the seats, automatic seat heating and ventilation, a rear seat analog clock, and plenty of aluminum-inlaid wood.
If that isn’t enough, Toyota even teased a convertible Century SUV, which seems like the same concept behind the Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet taken to its obvious conclusion. It’s a deeply silly idea, which is why it absolutely must happen, especially considering how convertible Century models have previously been the domain of royalty.
Toyota only plans on building 30 Century SUVs per month, each starting at a princely 25,000,000 yen. That’s about $170,000, which is a lot of money for something that shares bones with a $44,465 family hauler. That’s roughly Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 money, and that’s before options. Toyota plans on launching an extensive customization program for the Century SUV that will let customers choose their own colors. However, the Century’s cultural influence goes beyond its bones. Historically a vehicle of rulers, royalty, and the most serious of businesspeople, it carries enormous clout in Japan. Almost nobody will cross-shop it with a Bentley Bentayga, Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600, or similarly-opulent European SUV because the Century is truly in a class of its own.
(Photo credits: Toyota)
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I’m actually curious how well this is going to sell. Half the reason to buy a Century is because it’s very… Low key wealth. Unless you’re looking for it, generally speaking, you don’t notice it in traffic.
In the realm of “give your rear passengers as much plush as possible” (of which this is the purpose of the Century), the van/SUV body shape is ideal. More room and fewer constraints. This was 100% the correct design direction and evolution for this vehicle.
Came here just to say Toyota Century minivan hëck yes
I enjoy the outside quite a bit. An eCVT sounds suspect to my non-engineer self. Is there a reason to believe putting an “E” infront of CVT makes it good? First I’ve read about.
There are some YouTube videos that show how eCVTs work. Basically, they use a planetary gearset and an electric motor to vary the gear ratio. Traditional CVTs typically use a belt/chain and pully/cone assemblies to vary the ratio. eCVTs also have a second electric motor that can move propel the car in full electric mode.
I would trust eCVT reliability over traditional CVT reliability.
Thanks! That sounds like a much smoother and maybe faster reacting system. Appreciate that info.
The short answer is yes. Toyota’s eCVTs are great.
It’s what toyota uses on all their hybrids. Nothing like the Nissan pile of scrap
As others have stated, the Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive has a clear electromechanical advantage over all CVTs using bell, belt and cone drive systems that involve continuous friction and slippage to operate.
Honda’s newer eCVT system as used in the Clarity PHEV, Accord Hybrid and CRV Hybrid is entirely different than Toyota’s in concept and operation. It also removes continuous slippage, but does it in an entirely different way. It gains similar advantages over ordinary transmissions and CVTs.
I’m not entirely sure whether Toyota or Honda has the better eCVT system right now, but they’re both leagues better than Nissan, Subaru, and so many other CVTs that are basically disposable garbage.
Hi, Thomas. A technical question: what is dash-to axle ratio? A ratio of what to what? From how I’ve seen it used, it seems to be simply the dash to axle distance. Can you elaborate? Thanks.
Lop that top off and this would be a neat pickup conversion.
*raises eyebrow*
It looks like a Chevrolet Silverado and a Rolls-Royce Cullinan had a weird baby. That thick D-pillar is just tragic. The view from the bottom-up looks okay, but the stage pic really shows off how lumpy it looks.
The sliding door is rad, but this just feels less…wow than the sedans. Most of the sedans kept it pretty clean and more understated design-wise, while this just feels lumpy and Too Much.
Came here for this take. The Century has always been the picture of elegance and presence. This is as close as a Century has ever been to “vulgar.”
The obvious design flaw here is that this should be one door that opens conventionally OR as a slider. Like a Magic Tailgate for royalty.
I can’t unsee how small the front doors are compared to the rest of it
Your driver doesn’t get paid to be comfortable.
Sliding Doors > Swing out doors
This thing oozes opulent luxury like a drooling Habsburg jaw. I guess if you drive it around with the rear doors open, screaming “GET SOME!” at pedestrians, its not so bad.
Was expecting something cool, big no no.
I want to be wealthy enough to not only afford it, but to afford a driver to haul my fat ass around to Lowes or the supermarket or wherever.
They already have the Siena
I like it. A great alternative to a minivan if you can’t handle minivan styling. More vehicles should have sliding doors. They’re great.
100% this. I don’t know why it was decided that sliding doors can only be used on a van. Imagine a Ford Flex with sliding doors. Or a C-Max. Or a Tesla Model X. Volvo XC-90. The list goes on and on. It would make some cars so incredibly useful & accessible. As a species, we really need to work on this pointless trait of “preconceived notions”.
Exactly. The sad part is, about the only way people even get to experience a sliding door is with a minivan…which means not many people have. But, when you do, man does it open up your eyes. I wish more people got the chance so there would be greater demand for their utilization in different models.
I like it and if I had the funds, then I would use it as family hauler.
Why something as big for four people that fits great in a golf ?
I bring more than a box of Kleenex on road trips. 🙂
I know it’s a Century, but when I saw the rear my first thought was “that looks like a VPG MV-1” and now it just seems like the sliding door should really be for ramp access on this obvious minivan.
$250K or more properly optioned and they expect you to lift yourself in, rather than stroll pleasantly? Pshaw!
It will take me one Century to save for this.
Low floor, sliding doors. So, minivan?
I’ve made this joke before, but I can’t help but imagine Diogenes bursting into an auto show dragging a Toyota Century and screaming, “Behold, a van!”
As the rich would never buy a minivan for what this will cost they had to call it an SUV. Sliding door + low ground clearance, its a fricken minivan. Just like most CUVs are actually hatchbacks and some SUVs are wagons.
But why introduce all the complexity and cost to provide 2 door options….
> As the rich would never buy a minivan for what this will cost
Au contraire, back when Bill Gates was in the “driving the kids around” stages, he had an armored Toyota Sienna in that quintessential powder blue. Looked stock other than the tinted windows, but had some serious power and suspension upgrades to go with the kevlar doors and bulletproof glass. My buddy was a valet at a high end mall in Bellvue WA they would shop at, parked it quite a few times. Best guess on cost was at least a million.
Armoring the sliding doors while keeping the geometry allowing them to open properly would be quite a challenge.
His daughter went to the same university as me. Never met her though.
I’m guessing they’re making 30 Century’s a month because they know the dignitaries that prefer the home grown product over an ostentatious Merc or Cullinan is probably somewhere around 30 a month.
The Century has always had it’s niche. I assume it always will… even when we finally have our flying cars.
Leather seats instead of wool? No pass-through panel in the front passenger seat? I don’t even see any curtains.
It’s impressive, but it’s missing the hallmarks of a true Century.
Oh I’m sure you can get all of those on the ones they actually sell. This is clearly a demo model that might be touched by journalists, or even the public, so they wanted to minimize the cleaning bill.
Headrest doilies are part of the customizations, possibly a subscription.
For real, leather is a downgrade. I wish more automakers would offer wool or some other nice fabric again. Cooler to the touch, lower maintenance, softer in the long run.
Someone should to order a convertible with sliding door.
Properly optioned with weatherproof seat heaters and ventilation fans it would double as a walk in tub in the rainy season.
A vanpool?
This is wonderful and exactly what the rich dude luxury SUV market needs. I wish the D-pillar wasn’t 100 feet wide and the back was a little cleaner, but I dig it. And even though its based on plebeian architecture that doesn’t matter. modern modular platforms are extremely versatile and are basically just building blocks, my pancakes and a wedding cake are both made with the same basic ingredients after all.
ford flex for oligarchs?
That D-pillar says “Rolls Royce Cullinan for the poors”.
It’s a Century, they are in no way for the poors.
It’s instead the embodiment of that “quiet luxury” phenomenon. Everyone who owns a new one is incredibly rich, but not shouting it.
IDK, this is pretty gaudy for a Century, which is part of the reason why I think it misses the mark. That silver rail along the top edge in particular really screams look-at-me.
That bar has been smashed pretty thoroughly by the Lexus spindle grille. This is still very restrained by comparison, and that’s what matters: how it compares to what else is on the market.
the spindle is just B A D