Toyota has unveiled its latest luxury vehicle, the Century SUV, which is based on the prestigious Century saloon. The new SUV is Japan’s answer to the Rolls-Royce Cullinan and boasts a plug-in hybrid powertrain, a spacious interior, and fully reclining rear seats. The Century SUV is expected to be very exclusive, with only 30 units planned to be sold per month in Japan.
A Luxurious and Expensive SUV
The Century SUV is Toyota’s most luxurious and expensive SUV ever, costing 25 million JPY, which is equivalent to about $170,000. The SUV is imposingly large, measuring 5,205 millimeters (197.8 inches) long, 1,990 mm (78.3 in) wide, and 1,805 mm (71 in) tall. It has a generous wheelbase of 2,950 mm (116.1 in) and weighs 2,570 kilograms (5,665 pounds).
The SUV features a boxy design with split horizontal lights similar to the Genesis brand. It also has a distinctive phoenix emblem on the front and rear, as well as on the elegant multi-spoke wheels. The SUV eschews the Toyota badge in favor of the more prestigious Century logo, which is also found on the stately saloon.
A Comfortable and Spacious Interior
The Century SUV offers a comfortable and spacious interior for four passengers. The rear seats are electrically adjustable and can fold fully flat, which Toyota claims as a world’s first. The rear passengers can also enjoy a massage function, a rear entertainment system, and a refrigerator.
The SUV has electrically deployable side steps and rear doors that open to a 75-degree angle to facilitate ingress and egress. There are also grab handles on the C-pillars for added convenience. Alternatively, there is a GR version of the SUV that has electric sliding rear doors similar to an MPV.
The SUV also features clear laminated glass on the cabin side of the cargo space separator to reduce noise from the luggage area. In addition, there is a Rear Comfort mode that distributes the driving and braking force in such a way as not to disturb rear occupants.
A Plug-in Hybrid Powertrain
The Century SUV is powered by a plug-in hybrid powertrain that consists of a 3.5-liter V6 engine with a CVT and an all-wheel-drive system with a rear-mounted electric motor. The combined output of the powertrain is 406 horsepower (303 kilowatts), which matches that of the Lexus TX 550h+.
Some fans might have preferred the 5.0-liter V8 engine of the Century saloon, which was Toyota’s only V12 production model ever in its second generation. However, the plug-in hybrid system offers better fuel efficiency and lower emissions than the conventional engine.
The Century SUV will be sold at select dealers in Japan, and Toyota plans to expand the model’s customizability to truly one-of-a-kind builds. The Century saloon will remain on sale alongside the new SUV.