Toyota’s Century has a specific set of skills, like Liam Neeson. But unlike a regular assassin it will instead put you to sleep by way of its silent, cosseting and comfortable ride; its torquey V8 engines intended to provide smooth cruising.
It’s a Japanese take on a Rolls-Royce or Mercedes-Benz S-Class, but the badge may be one reason that it isn’t a familiar sight on US roads – like the Volkswagen Phaeton some could find it hard to reconcile luxury with an economy automaker’s name on the trunk.
Rostislav Prokop – HotCars digital artist – gives the Toyota Century an SUV makeover for 2023, and with its suave new look and the market share of premium SUVs and crossovers on the rise, we think it would be a huge success.
The Toyota Century isn’t late – it’s right on time; so, here’s the lowdown on the new render that could keep Mercedes-Benz up at night.
UPDATED JUNE 2023: We revisit this iconic Japanese barge to check in on current Toyota Century values as well as see what the most luxurious Toyota SUVs the brand is offering for summer 2023.
The 2023 Toyota Century SUV Render Is Right On Time
By now it’s becoming a well-worn cliché to mention the unstoppable rise of the SUV, but with all automakers including marques like Ferrari and Maserati already on board, these types of vehicles are here to stay.
Not all SUVs are born equal, and regardless of our feelings for chunky, raised machines, some make more sense than others. The Toyota Century, born in 1967 and continuing to this day, is an opulent-yet-refined machine that would work as a luxury SUV akin to the Bentley Bentayga.
With its recognizable features translated to the newly-raised concept by Rostislav Prokop it retains its superior ethos, gains some added practicality and dwarfs lesser vehicles on the road as it floats effortlessly between meetings and golf practice.
Why We Want The Toyota Century SUV
Up front, that iconic face with the horizontal-barred grille and squared headlamps remains, the lower section of the bumper is square and muscular.
The wheels are Century rims, and up back the rear gets sculpted into an attractive design, similar to many other SUVs, but in way that says classy without shouting about it.
That’s the appeal of the Toyota Century SUV and its real-life counterpart, and why those who want quiet, swift progress with minimal drama could find this car exciting. It suggests luxury without shouting about it, but as for the powertrain we would have to leave it to Toyota’s engineers to select the right kind of engine.
The current Toyota Century has a hybrid powertrain with 425 hp from a 5-liter V8 and hybrid setup that provides the right ratio of power and drama.
How Much Does A Toyota Century Cost In 2023?
As appealing as a luxurious 5-liter V12 sedan is to most gearheads, there are a few reasons why you don't see many on the roads. The Toyota Century is a JDM car, which means it wasn't officially sold in the US. The second generation Century which began around 1997 in Japan, is now available to import into the States under the 25-Year Rule. Values for this big-engined barge are only around $20,000 at auction according to Classic.com. Bidding website Cars And Bids also lists various examples of the Toyota Century for under $20,000.
Despite its 5-liter V12, it wasn't intended as a performance sedan like a BMW 6-Series or 7-Series, and it won't handle like one. Quiet luxury and effortless progress are key to the Century experience.
Power from the 1997-generation's V12 is just under 300 hp, which should be adequate rather than rapid for the heavy sedan.
Toyota's big luxury SUV is the Toyota Sequoia while the biggest, most luxurious Lexus SUVs are the GX and LX.