Toyota Century: Japan Ultimate Symbol of Prestige and Craftsmanship

The Toyota Century is a luxurious sedan in Japan, symbolizing prestige, tradition, and refined elegance. Handcrafted with care, it has served as the official car for emperors, prime ministers, and business leaders. Its understated design and rich history make it a timeless luxury flagship, ideal for executives, Japanese luxury collectors, and those seeking a smooth, chauffeured experience.

Interior

The Toyota Century cabin is a refined Japanese luxury sedan, featuring reclining seats, massage functions, and personal climate zones. Its design is complemented by discreet entertainment screens and touch panel controls. The Century's wool upholstery, hand-finished wood grain accents, and shoji screens create a harmonious and space-inspired environment, blending craftsmanship with its cultural heritage. The Century, a luxury car, is crafted by Takumi artisans, focusing on tactile quality and precision. It's a sanctuary that prioritizes comfort over show, and classic appeal over trends, making it a unique and thoughtful choice. 

1st Generation: Powered by a V8 Engine

The Toyota Century, launched in 1967, was Japan's response to Western luxury sedans, designed for top executives and government officials. It featured a quiet 3.0-liter V8 engine, a conservative boxy silhouette, and a focus on comfort with wool upholstery, analog dials, and power rear seats. Ride quality was paramount, with soft suspension and heavy sound insulation. The 1982 Century facelift introduced a larger 4.0-liter V8, maintaining its quiet, analog charm, despite rivals embracing tech. Until its replacement in 1997, it was a symbol of Japanese prestige, valuing tradition, restraint, and comfort.

2nd Generation: Upgraded to a V12 Engine

Toyota introduced Japan's only production V12 engine, the 5.0-liter 1GZ-FE, in 1997, revolutionizing the Century with its focus on silence and smoothness, rather than speed. The Century (G50) is a second-generation car that combines modern technology with timeless craftsmanship. It features air suspension, multi-zone climate control, and factory navigation, all hand-built by 43 Takumi craftsmen. Designed for top officials and dignitaries, it symbolizes quiet authority. Early G50 models (1997-2000) are renowned for their reliability, unique design, and elegance, while the 1997 Century is a testament to thoughtful engineering and dignified luxury. 

3rd Generation: Return to the V8 Engine

Toyota replaced the aging V12 engine with a 5.0-liter V8 hybrid in 2018, enhancing fuel economy and preserving the Century's smooth ride, while achieving a refined 431 hp. The Century's identity prioritizes luxury with reclining massage seats, rich wool or leather upholstery, and a premium 20-speaker audio system, ensuring a tranquil cabin experience. The 2018 Century offers modern safety tech like Toyota Safety Sense, adaptive cruise control, and blind spot monitoring, blending tradition with innovation for a stylish driving experience. 

Toyota Century 2025 New Model

The 2025 Toyota Century combines luxury and modern technology in sedan and SUV forms. Built on Toyota's GA-K platform, the SUV is designed for chauffeured comfort, while the sedan maintains its elegance. Both models feature a hybrid powertrain with up to 43 miles of electric-only range. The car features handcrafted Kumiko wood, Nappa leather, and massage-function rear seats. It also has dual entertainment screens, a premium 20-speaker JBL system, and an updated infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay. Toyota's Century, a luxury vehicle, offers a blend of standard and executive trims, focusing on Japanese style and reliability, aiming for serene, first-class travel. 

Toyota Century SUV

The 2023 Toyota Century SUV is a bold, contemporary SUV that blends elegance and practicality. It features elevated ride height, wide-opening rear doors, optional sliding doors, advanced suspension, and a "Rear Comfort" mode. The 3.5-liter V6 plug-in hybrid offers 406 horsepower and 69 km of silent electric cruising. The rear cabin offers a personal sanctuary with reclining captain's chairs, massage functions, ottomans, and entertainment screens.

Toyota Century Royal

The Toyota Century Royal is a hand-crafted luxury limousine designed for the Japanese Imperial family, featuring custom wool upholstery and washi paper ceiling. Introduced in 2006, it replaced the aging Nissan Prince Royal and is limited to five units. The car wears the Imperial chrysanthemum crest, reflecting Japan's heritage and promoting silence and serenity.

Finally

The Toyota Century is a luxury car with a unique hand-built V12 engine, focusing on comfort, craftsmanship, and tradition. Despite its rarity outside Japan, hard-to-find parts, and high maintenance costs, the experience is worth it for those who appreciate timeless design. You can now check the Toyota Century stocklist for more available models.