{"id":237411,"date":"2023-09-06T15:25:34","date_gmt":"2023-09-06T15:25:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/automotobuzz.com\/?p=237411"},"modified":"2023-09-06T15:25:34","modified_gmt":"2023-09-06T15:25:34","slug":"new-toyota-century-suv-launched-to-be-every-chauffeurs-dream","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/automotobuzz.com\/car-reviews\/new-toyota-century-suv-launched-to-be-every-chauffeurs-dream\/","title":{"rendered":"New Toyota Century SUV launched to be every chauffeur\u2019s dream"},"content":{"rendered":"
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If you were a Japanese businessman or high-ranking politician over the last few decades, chances are you had a Toyota Century luxury saloon to whisk you around. Now, Toyota has unveiled an SUV to sit alongside the saloon, which it claims can still offer the \u201cdignity, quietness, and ride comfort befitting a Century.\u201d<\/p>\n
Although the Toyota Century saloon has never been sold in the UK, its reputation for opulent luxury in an elegant three-box limousine bodystyle is well known – sadly the SUV won\u2019t be sold over here either, so we\u2019ll have to admire it from afar.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Along with the Century SUV\u2019s size, a starting price of 25m yen in Japan (around \u00a3135,000) makes it a rival for large luxury SUVs like the Mercedes GLS and BMW X7. The Toyota takes a different approach to luxury than is the norm in this class though, just as the Century limousine did in competition with the Mercedes S-Class and BMW 7 Series.<\/p>\n
Toyota calls the Century SUV a \u2018chauffeur car\u2019 but if you do find yourself at the helm there\u2019s a plug-in hybrid 3.5-litre V6 providing \u201cexhilarating acceleration performance\u201d – actual performance figures haven\u2019t been revealed yet. The hybrid 5.0-litre V8 option from the saloon hasn\u2019t been carried over. There\u2019s also four-wheel steering, all-wheel drive and Toyota claims torsional rigidity has been over the saloon – although we\u2019re sure most Century SUV owners will hardly feel these changes from the back seat.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Inside, the steering wheel features the Century badge rather than a Toyota one and there\u2019s a large infotainment screen on the dash taken from Lexus, but there are still physical switches and buttons for the climate controls and other core functions.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
The SUV is a four-seater rather than a five-seater like the limousine and Toyota has clearly focused on giving back-seat passengers an easy time when getting in and out. The doors open to an unusually wide 75-degree angle and there\u2019s a generous side step.<\/p>\n
Once you\u2019re in the back of the Toyota Century SUV you\u2019ll find fully reclinable seats and a bespoke audio system aided by noise-reducing clear laminated glass that separates the cabin side from the cargo area. There are also TV screens for the rear passengers as well as a central fridge.<\/p>\n
What do you think of the new Toyota Century? Let us know in the comments below…<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n