Toyota Century (SUV) GRG75

Since 1967, the Century has been the pinnacle of the Toyota heritage as it was made in honor of the centennial birth of its founder, Sakichi Toyoda. For over five-and-a-half decades and three generations of the flagship saloon, the Century ultimately represents Japanese culture from the halfway point of the Showa era to the dark ages of the Reiwa era. A new era demands a new kind of Century.

2024 Toyota Century (SUV)

In addition to the flagship saloon, Toyota launched the crossover spin-off of the Century lineage, turning the Century marque into a sub-brand under Toyota's wing. The Mark of Suzaku continues to shine now with two wings beyond the skies.

2024 Toyota Century (SUV)

Starting at 25,000,000 Japanese Yen (about 250,000 US Dollars) plus additional costs, the SUV version of the Toyota Century is considered the least costly alternative to its main rival, the Rolls-Royce Cullinan but because this is nearly five times the price of the Land Cruiser 300, the SUV version of the Century has unanimously dethroned the Land Cruiser as the flagship SUV of Toyota but don't count on it just yet because while the Land Cruiser is known for taking on the beaten path, the SUV version of the Century is made to cater the most prolific VIPs, especially Japanese politicians, with its legendary comfort and luxury inherited from its sedan counterpart.

While the styling is heavily mistaken for the Cullinan, the familiar Century elements are implemented including its signature phoenix badge at the front. Because the SUV version of the Century is genuinely bespoke, clients can personalize it any way they want as well as choose their own doors, either traditional or sliding doors. Yes, really. Such bespoke personalizations are possible at select Toyota dealerships that are certified "Century Meister".

2024 Toyota Century (SUV) interior

Checking the handcrafted interior, Toyota wasted none of its precious time and resources tailoring the insides from top to bottom until it reached its desired client wishing it was his or her kind of Century before setting off. Onto the driver's side, the functionality works like today's Toyota Crown, meaning it has a 12.3-inch TFT instrumental panel, a Display Audio Plus with smartphone connectivity, heated steering wheel, HUD, digital rearview mirror, wireless charging port, USB-C ports, and others.

The passenger side is where the out-on-a-limo experience comes into fruition as the VIP can take advantage of its ultra-luxurious features, including the world premiere of the rear full-flat mode exclusively on the Century SUV, letting the crocodiles sleep while their drivers are driving them back to their fancy mansions. Long day, isn't it. And that's not all, with the special devices mounted on the rear seats as well as the rear entertainment system and other ultra-luxurious goodies, including a mini-refrigerator to cool their drinks, this is a first-class crossover fit for high-rollers and right-wing politicians alike.

Space-wise, the SUV version of the Century is good for up to 340 liters of boot space, making it good for dealing with nearly all walks of life the rich and powerful can't get enough of.

2024 Toyota Century (SUV)

Unlike its sedan counterpart which is basically a glorified version of the previous-generation Lexus LS, the SUV version runs on the same GA-K platform as the Crown crossover, and because comfort is the strength of the Century, it's been given comfort-oriented dynamics to make it smooth sailing. Although not as good as the Cullinan, it's more than enough to deliver the out-on-a-limo experience the big bosses can't get enough of. It also comes with spring damping control, NAVI-AI-AVS, and DRS (no, not the F1 kind of DRS). The DRS suppresses sudden changes in vehicle behavior by enabling seamless and natural handling by controlling the direction of the rear wheels in the opposite direction (out-of-phase) or the same direction (in-phase) as the front wheels, depending on vehicle speed, and reduces the minimum turning radius at low speeds (5.5m). Good enough.

Thanks to its 4WD system, the Century SUV is a decent all-rounder on and off the road, be it tarmac, gravel, or even snow. Not as good as a Land Cruiser but it's still cozy enough for a long drive to Hokkaido on a Sunday morning, going fishing.

Speaking of comfort, the SUV version of the Century runs on a PHEV powertrain where the 262PS 3.5L V6 engine is bolted to two electric motors and a Li-ion battery, not to mention it was mated to a CVT gearbox. It delivers 14.2km/L of combined fuel economy based on WLTC Mode standards and while running on electric power alone, it's good for up to 69km of driving range.

The SUV version of the Century is prepared with Toyota Safety Sense featuring a Pre-Crash Safety system, Lane Departure Alert, Radar Cruise Control, Adaptive High-beam System, Blind Spot Monitor, Parking Support Alert, and many others. It even comes with Toyota Teammate Advanced Park as well as other safety features.

In terms of safety, the Century features Toyota Safety Sense and Toyota Teammate Advanced Park among other safety features offered on this ultra-luxury crossover.

The new body type of the Toyota Century may be deemed controversial but with the SUV version joining alongside the existing sedan type, the Mark of Suzaku continues to shine now with two wings beyond the skies. The Century lineage is now a class on its own and this time, they are the ones that rose to the top of the Toyota hierarchy. Welcome to the new world order.

Available Colors: Hakkaku Precious White Pearl x Silver, Reimei Prominent Gray x Silver, Rinbou Black x Sliver, Reimei Tansai Prominent Gray, Rinbou Tansai Black, Reimei Hidata Prominent Gray x Black, and Guren Glory Red x Silver.

Photo: Toyota Motor Corporation

Third-generation Toyota Century (UWG60)

The Toyota Century has been the flagship saloon that served not just the Japanese royal family since the late Emperor Hirohito but also the high-ranking Diet men and other wealthy clientele who want to experience the true Japanese craftsmanship spent in the making of this car. Now in its third generation, the Toyota Century ushers in the next era of Japanese history with the design, interior, drivetrain, and technology that demonstrates the future of Japanese motoring at its very best.

2019 Toyota Century

Demonstrating over 50 years of catering to wealthy clientele with first-class luxury comfort that will upset expensive European imports, the Toyota Century has been given its long-awaited full model change in over two decades, and with this third-generation, the new Century is ready to turn the page to a new era like preparing your Hobonichi Techo for a new year. Beginning with the design, the Century now features a more modern look while tracing its roots from the previous Century generations since the first one in 1967 and by blending the past, present, and future, the new Century is still worthy of donning the emblem of a mythical bird that shines for many centuries to come.

2019 Toyota Century interior

2019 Toyota Century interior

Putting emphasis on its handcrafted interior, you will notice how many hours they spent perfecting the ideal Century interior of the next era in Japanese history, something that the next Japanese emperor will get acquainted with. On the driver's side, the driver will be greeted with the heated steering wheel, tilted and telescopic steering wheel, 10-way power seat, 7-inch TFT color multi-information display, and many others in store for the driver. On the rear-seat side, that's where the Century's royal piece comes into play because the clientele can treat the Century's rear space like a private room because it's got all of the nooks and crannies a good limousine possesses such as an air-conditioning, massage on the rear seats, a rear-seat entertainment system with a Blu-Ray Player and SD Card Slot below the screen, 20 speakers, a 100V AC outlet, and a writing table, among many others. At the back, the Century carries 484 liters of boot space, capable of carrying a 9.5-inch golf back and others for trips to the country club or a five-star hotel for an important meeting with a certain delegate. Of all the luxury cars you've encountered, the new Century fits the bill of being a chauffeur-driven car targeted for Japan's rich and powerful people, especially the next emperor.

2019 Toyota Century

Because the third-generation Toyota Century is a representation of the next era in Japanese history, Toyota took some drastic measures to accommodate the winds of change. For instance, the glorious V12 engine from the past model has been thrown away for good, and in return, it now comes with a 5.0L V8 engine coupled with a 1KM electric motor and a nickel-metal battery, generating a total output of 431PS of power. That is the same hybrid powertrain used in the old Lexus LS600h and today's Lexus LS500h no longer bears a V8 hybrid because it's now a V6 Multi-Stage Hybrid instead, this powertrain is now unique to the Century. It's like finding a new home after a massive hit that changed their lives and because of its hybrid powertrain along with its CVT, the fuel economy based on JC08 Mode standards is 13.6km/L.

Toyota has spent countless hours making the Century quieter and more comfortable like a premium sedan should and that is why it comes with Active Noise Control, multi-link suspension on all sides, and Adaptive Variable Suspension system. When set to Normal or ECO, the new Century works brilliantly as a comfortable cruiser fit for getting out from the countryside and into the Diet building without breaking a sweat. However, when things get rough like for instance, some unknown assailant trying to chase you down, put it in SPORT S+, and things can get a little tricky for a luxury saloon. That's defensive driving to you.

Anyway, part of representing the future is the safety tech and the new Century is prepared with Toyota Safety Sense featuring a Pre-Crash Safety system, Lane Departure Alert, Radar Cruise Control, Adaptive High-beam System, Blind Spot Monitor, Parking Support Alert, many others. Utilizing these safety techs, the new Century promises peace of mind for its occupants and that's something this ultra-expensive JDM saloon can do in its time.

Speaking of ultra-expensive, it really is and it starts at 19,600,000 Japanese Yen, making this the most expensive Toyota ever made, unless if you are part of the Diet or the Japanese royal family to get the most out of it. Anyway, since the Century is all about serving wealthy clients with its high level of luxuriousness on the inside, the implementation of the hybrid powertrain can be either refreshing or revolting but still, this is what the new Century really wants to represent, representing a new era on the road ahead and this is how it begins.

Available colors: Kamui Eternal Black, Mashuu Shrine Blue Mica, Asuka Blackish Red Mica, and Seika Radiant Silver Metallic.

Photo: Toyota Motor Corporation