Toyota rarely misses when it comes to being a force to be reckoned with in nearly every car genre (their failed Toyota 7 race car notwithstanding). Toyota shows us it can hang out with the best of them in the truck arena with the Tacoma and Tundra. Also, Toyota also knows how to be economical, too, with classics such as the commuter-friendly Toyota Camry. Sports cars? The Toyota Supra has you covered. But, what about a luxury sedan - where does Toyota fit in?
A luxury car is defined as one that takes comfort and quality a step further. Cars with performance and added premium amenities in mind are often classified as luxury cars. They also place a higher emphasis on ride comfort more than how the vehicle handles.
The Toyota Century embodies luxury in a way that most gearheads associate with German cars. The Century has been Toyota's luxury sedan mainstay since 1967. It exhibits an air of success and understated elegance. Pitted against German luxury sedan competitors such as Mercedes-Benz or Audi, the Toyota Century has its very own unique brand of opulence.
Here is why the Toyota Century is just as luxurious as any German sedan, and why you'll end up wanting one.
The Toyota Century: Elegance Re-Defined
Imagine a car so grand and opulent that you won't see royalty or government leaders in anything else? There is a reason why we are aware of the Toyota Century as being one of the most luxurious sedans in Japan. In fact, we've got several.
The Toyota Century has undergone a few different redesigns since its inception, but with a gentle hand. Why mess with a good thing? Over the years, Toyota has added some subtle attributes that grant the Century with newer flair, yet allows it to retain its unmatched excellence that this luxury sedan is known for. In true artisanal fashion, the Century's badge has remained more or less the same since this distinguished car was born in 1967.
Toyota stays away from having the Century be a marker of excess, and instead takes a muted approach. There is something to be said for elegance that doesn't boast about it! And with a price tag of $180,000, the Century is a bit more relatable than some of its peers.
Attention to detail is the name of Toyota's game with the Century, and only around 50 of these cars roll off the assembly line each month at the plant in Japan's Shizuoka Prefecture. You definitely can't rush or be careless about the design and production of the Toyota Century. The paint job on the Century is thorough and detailed - hand painting and polishing makes the Toyota Century really shine, pun intended.
The Toyota Century's Lush Interior Touches
The dignified way that Toyota has intentionally crafted the Century makes other luxury sedans want to take note. The design of the Century has to keep its passengers in mind. The backseat has to be in tip-top shape for driving around important government officials, the prime minister of Japan, and Japanese royalty. The backseats recline and usually are outfitted in wool cloth - leather is apparently not quite quiet enough to sit upon.
Passengers will find a 20-inch display screen to allow for feature control and to watch movies: better than anything you'll find attached to the back of an airplane seat. The Century's passenger seats have massagers built in, along with climate controls to optimize comfort. The doors open via electronics, because we all know how conspicuous the sound of a door opening and closing mechanically can be, right? And that, my friends, sums up the luxury of a Toyota Century in just one sentence.
Should You Buy A European Luxury Sedan, Or A JDM Luxury Sedan?
While the Toyota Century is only available for sale in Japan (unless you fork over some hefty import fees and taxes), we should never ignore the luxury side of the Japanese auto market.
Most gearheads are familiar with the likes of Audi, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Porsche as examples of classic German luxury. The JDM has their fair share of luxurious sedans that you should consider, too! For any impressive Mercedes E-Class, you can easily find a Japanese equivalent that is worthy of your consideration.
You'll want to be on the lookout for sedans from premium Japanese carmakers such as Infiniti and Acura, or even Lexus. Even though the Toyota Century is in a timeless league of its own compared to other luxury sedans, an effortlessly stylish Infiniti Q50 isn't a bad choice.
But, don't think that we still won't be drooling over the "Japanese Rolls-Royce": Toyota's luxury sedan, the Century.