Hey, car lovers – remember when the only place you could see a Toyota Century was in photos of Japanese emperors or behind tinted windows in Tokyo? Well, buckle up. Toyota just dropped the Century SUV in America, and it’s the most exclusive, over-the-top luxury rig the brand has ever sold here.
This Isn’t Your Average Highlander on Steroids
The Century name has been Toyota’s ultimate flex since 1967 – think of it as Japan’s version of a Rolls-Royce or Bentley, but even more low-key. For decades it was sedan-only and never officially sold outside Japan. Now, for the first time ever, Toyota is bringing the Century badge to the States… but only as this massive, ultra-plush SUV.
Only 100 examples are coming to the U.S. in the first year. That’s it. One hundred. If you have to ask how many have already been spoken for by CEOs, pro athletes, and old-money families, you’re probably too late.
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What Actually Makes It Special?
Imagine a Cullinan-level interior wrapped in Toyota’s legendary build quality and bulletproof reliability. The Century SUV is hand-built at the same plant that makes Lexus LS sedans, but with way more attention to detail. Every single panel gap is measured by hand. Real talk – craftsmen use a 300-year-old Japanese sword-making technique to polish some of the wood trim. No, I’m not making that up.
Here’s the quick spec sheet that’ll make gearheads cry happy tears:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Engine | 3.5L V6 Plug-in Hybrid |
| Total System Power | 406 horsepower |
| Transmission | e-CVT |
| Length | 208.5 inches (longer than a Suburban) |
| Rear Seat Recline | Up to 45 degrees (yes, really) |
| Rear Doors | Power sliding “hospitality doors” |
| Sound System | 18-speaker custom setup |
| Price (est.) | $180,000 – $220,000+ depending on options |
| Production | Fully hand-assembled in Japan |
The Back Seat Is the Real Star
Forget driving – this thing is made to be driven in. The rear seats recline almost flat, come with massage functions, heating, cooling, and even a touchscreen fridge between them. There’s a 55-inch partition screen if you want full privacy, and the wool headliner feels like you’re sitting inside a high-end hotel suite.
Oh, and the ride? Toyota claims it’s quieter than a Rolls-Royce Phantom at 70 mph. They actually put microphones inside competing cars, measured the decibels, and beat them. That’s the level of petty we love to see.
So, Who’s Actually Buying These?
Word on the street is that a bunch have already gone to tech billionaires in California who want something stealthier than a Bentley Bentayga, NBA stars who need the extra headroom, and a few East Coast finance bros who think “quiet luxury” means spending $200K on a Toyota.
If you’re just a regular millionaire (sorry, not billionaire), good luck. Toyota is hand-picking buyers. You don’t walk into a dealership and order one like a loaded RAV4 – you basically have to get invited.
Bottom Line – Peak Japanese Luxury Has Arrived
The Century SUV isn’t about going fast or flexing on Instagram. It’s the ultimate “I’ve already made it, I don’t need to prove anything” vehicle. In a world full of loud Lambo SUVs and flashy Maybachs, rolling up completely silent in a blacked-out Century with no badging louder than a tiny phoenix emblem is the new power move.
If you’re one of the lucky few who snag one, congrats – you just bought the most exclusive Toyota in history. For the rest of us, we’ll be over here staring any time one glides by on the street, wondering who’s chilling in the back with the seats fully reclined and a cold drink from the built-in fridge.
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