TOYOTA Century Sedan Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

The Century was Toyota's most luxurious car in its lineup, easily overtaking any Lexus ever made by the same automaker, and was considered a state vehicle built for those seated in the back. Moreover, it didn't even feature a Toyota badge on it.

The Japanese car market needed a luxurious vehicle back in the late '60s, and Toyota gladly produced it. It was the first generation of the Century. Fast forward to 2018, and it reached its third generation, which was later constantly upgraded and updated to keep up with the latest technological achievements. It was considered by many the Japanese interpretation of a Rolls-Royce.

With a design that took its inspiration from its predecessors, the model launched in 2018 was a mix of old-school design and new technologies. At the front, Toyota installed modern LEDs inside a set of headlights that looked strikingly similar to the ones from the first generation. Moreover, the grille was redesigned but still resembled the old ones due to its egg-crate styling with vertical and horizontal slats. Toyota installed in the middle of it the Century-specific badge, which was the Phoenix bird, and it was handmade and hand-painted by a human artist. Moreover, the automaker used the same process for all Century's badges that were spread in and around the vehicle. From its profile, the sedan was big and similar in size to the Rolls-Royce Ghost. Despite using the same proportions as its predecessors, the third generation of the Century featured door mirrors instead of fender-mounted ones. But what it carried over from those models was the thick C-pillar behind the rear doors. Finally, at the back, the majestic vehicle had recessed LED taillights that emerged from the rear quarter panels to the trunk lid.

Toyota said that the interior of the Century was inspired by Japanese culture, and it's easy to understand why. Unlike European, British, or American cars, the Century featured wool upholstery. In fact, not just the four individual seats were covered in that, but also the door cards and the headliner. In addition, the automaker added wood trims on several areas but strangely put carbon fiber around the gear selector that was on the center console. Fronting the driver was a mixed instrument cluster that featured two large analog dials for the speedometer and tachometer and a TFT display between them. On the dashboard, atop the center stack, Toyota added a screen for the infotainment system. Unlike those installed in Lexus or other Toyota models, this one was a touchscreen and wasn't controlled via a trackball or touchpad. But the most important seats in the house were those in the back. There, the owner could recline their seat and move the front passenger seat forward to stretch their legs. To improve their customers' privacy, Toyota installed a set of curtains on the rear windscreen and rear side windows.

Unlike the second generation of the Century, which was powered by a V12, the third generation of this luxurious vehicle came fitted with a hybrid drivetrain that featured a V8 under the hood and an electric motor. Unlike that, this one was carefully adjusted and balanced, so it didn't send any vibration to the cabin. Power went to the rear wheels only via an eCVT gearbox.