Toyota unveils Century SUV

Following the teaser earlier this week, Toyota finally unveiled the stately Century sport utility vehicle (SUV).

The said SUV was inspired by the original 1967 Toyota Century sedan, which was a premium chauffeur-driven car. Using the same concept, the new model — the carmaker noted — will continue to meet customer expectations in the years to come while pursuing the essence and inheriting the dignity, quietness, and ride comfort befitting the nameplate.

Further, the Toyota Century SUV will be fully customizable — depending on the region and the needs of the vehicle’s target market.

Notable features offered by the Toyota Century SUV include a Rolls-Royce Cullinan-like exterior with plenty of luxurious appointments such as an elegant honeycomb grille with a phoenix badge at the center. To each of its sides are four-lamp headlights that not only provide illumination but also give the automobile a strong and bold character.

It also wears a brushed aluminum lower front bumper with stylish latticework.

The side profile of the Toyota Century SUV features subtle yet striking chrome appliques surrounding the vehicle’s windows. Additionally, it also offers brushed aluminum accents on its wheel arches. The said trims complement the large wheels that bear the same phoenix badges.

Attention has been given to its rear doors as it is intended to be a ride for those who like to be driven. The said doors open at a wide 75-degree angle to provide excellent ease of entry and exit.

In addition, Toyota said that the Century SUV has convenient automatic retractable power steps and easy-to-grab C-pillar grips.

At the back, the Toyota Century SUV has a roof-mounted spoiler with a horizontal light bar third brake lamp. Its taillights also echo the same design with a four-lamp setup. The automobile’s lower rear bumper also mimics the same design cues found at the fore and on the side of the vehicle.

Finally, the rear end flaunts a bold “CENTURY” script.

Plenty of luxurious amenities await its passengers.

Based on the photos revealed by Toyota, the Century SUV comes complete with Century-branded treadplates, fully reclining second-row leather seats with “refreshment” functionalities, a second-row armrest with a digital screen, a sweeping cabin floor, a folding screen found at the back of the front-row seats, and a finely honed audio system.

Drivers, on the other hand, are treated to similarly luxurious features including leather first-row seating, a leather-wrapped multi-functional steering wheel, a digital instrument cluster, a decent-sized infotainment system, controls for the vehicle’s comfort amenities, and mood lighting.

Since sustainability is indeed the new luxury, the Toyota Century SUV is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 plug-in hybrid system, that according to the Japanese automotive brand, “achieves both a powerful and exhilarating drive while retaining the quiet driving suitable for a Century.”

Moreover, the plug-in hybrid powertrain can function as a battery-electric vehicle when traveling short distances.

The Toyota Century SUV is revealed to be fitted with a four-wheel steering system dubbed “Dynamic Rear Steering,” which provides easy handling at low speeds and seamless, natural handling at medium to high speeds.

And to ensure a comfortable ride in most driving conditions, the Toyota Century SUV is also equipped with a Rear Comfort mode, which assists braking control to suppress jolts when the vehicle comes to a halt.

The Toyota Century SUV will be launched initially in Japan this year. It is priced at ¥25 million or approximately P9.626 million.

Photos from Toyota

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