Toyota · 1967–present

Toyota Century

The Toyota Century (Japanese: トヨタ・センチュリー, Hepburn: Toyota Senchurī) is a line of full-size luxury cars and limousines produced mainly for the Japanese market, serving as Toyota's flagship car within Japan. Globally the unrelated Lexus brand houses Toyota's flagship luxury model. Production began in 1967, and the model received only minor changes until redesigns in 1997 and 2018. The Century derives its name from the 100th birthday of Sakichi Toyoda (born 14 February 1867), the founder of Toyota Industries. It is often used by the Imperial House of Japan, the Prime Minister of Japan, senior Japanese government leaders, and high-level executive businessmen. The Century is comparable in purpose to the Austin Princess/Daimler DS420, Cadillac Series 70, Mercedes-Maybach, Hongqi, Rolls-Royce Phantom, and Russian ZIL limousines. The first-generation Century was available with only a V8 engine (the third post-war Japanese-built sedan so-equipped) at its introduction in 1967 until a full platform redesign in 1997. The second generation was only installed with a Toyota-designed and -built V12, an engine bespoke to the Century, until 2018, when the power-train reverted to a V8 with the addition of Toyota's hybrid technology. While the Century is a full-size luxury sedan, it is not available at Japanese Lexus dealerships; it can only be purchased at specifically identified Toyota Store locations. The Century does not feature Toyota's typical oval logo on any of its badges; instead, it uses a phoenix logo unique to the Century. The gold phoenix logo is called the Hō'ō (鳳凰) or Fushichō (不死鳥) from Sinospheric mythology, representing the Imperial House of Japan, and the image can be found throughout Asia, such as the Kinkaku-ji in Kyoto. The appearance of a black-painted Century is iconic in Asian countries, perceived to denote conservative success. As such, while the model has received some modifications, its external styling has remained largely consistent since introduction. The closest Japanese competitor was the Nissan President, with a similar status reputation although, during the 1960s and 1970s, the high market positioning was also shared with the Mitsubishi Debonair. In the 1970s, two other Japanese competitors introduced large sedans — the Isuzu Statesman de Ville and the Mazda Roadpacer (both derived from Holden products) — which were short-lived. The Century nameplate introduced the SUV body style in 2023. The nameplate was spun off into a separate brand in 2025.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: Toyota Crown Eight

All Toyota Century data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years → + Compare

First generation (G20/G30/G40; 1967)

The original Century was based on the 1964 Crown Eight, which featured the 2.6 L V8 Toyota V engine, and appeared almost two years after the October 1965 introduction of the 4-litre Nissan President. Apart from minor cosmetic changes and engine upgrades, the design remained largely untouched during its 30-year production run. This appearance has also inspired the designs of subsequent versions, as it remains desired by its clientele. The Century used an electromagnetic door latch that integrated a door lock, and the interior and exterior door handles were electrically operated. The Crown Eight used a button for interior use to release the latch mechanism, while the Century provided a conventional door release handle that remained electrically operated. The Century was given the "VG20" model designation, inheriting the "VG10" designation from the predecessor model. The 1967 Century was equipped with an upgraded version of the Crown Eight engine, the 3.0 L 3V. In April 1973, the 3.4 L 4V was introduced. It was replaced by the 4V-U two years later, benefitting from the installation of emission control technology Toyota called "TTC". Only column shifters were available at first, with a manual being the base option. The manually shifted versions (Type A and Type B) were discontinued in 1973 and August 1974 respectively. The 3.4-litre V8 received fuel injection in November 1978 (4V-EU), enabling the car to meet the 1978 Emissions Standards. This also meant that the chassis code was changed, to VG35. The engine was once again changed to the 4.0 L 5V-EU in November 1982 (VG40), along with major facelift. Note that the 3V, 4V, and 5V do not refer to the number of valves in the engine but simply denote model names in the Toyota V engine range. On the "C" pillar there is a badge

Second generation (G50; 1997)

The Century received a complete redesign in April 1997, although the new model contained similar design cues to the previous generation. This model is powered by a 5.0 L 1GZ-FE V12, rated at 206 kW (276 hp; 280 PS) in Japanese models and 220 kW (295 hp; 299 PS) at 5200 rpm in export models. Torque was rated at 460 N⋅m (339 lbf⋅ft) at 4000 rpm for both Japanese and export versions. It was initially equipped with a 4-speed A342E automatic, until a 6-speed "intelligent" transmission arrived in 2005. The suspension was upgraded to double wishbone control arms for the front and rear wheels with airbag support springs. The Century remains the first and only Japanese front-engine, rear-wheel-drive production car equipped with a V12, and it has Toyota's first V12 engine. This generation no longer offered a selection of level of equipment preferred, and has either a floor-mounted or column-mounted transmission selector. From 2003 through 2004, the V12 engine was briefly offered with the ability to use CNG fuel. Toyota began limited official exports of the G50 Century to Europe and Asian markets including China and the Middle East in November 1998, positioning it as an executive car for company and government officials. About 100 left-hand drive cars were produced for export, with some going to the United States for promotional and testing purposes. Several were in use as corporate cars for Toyota's North American executives. As of 2023, the G50 remains the only generation of the Century sedan to have officially been exported and sold outside of Japan. The Century was Toyota's most luxurious model at its inception in 1967, and maintained this status throughout the 20th century. In its day, it was positioned above the Lexus line-up, and was the most luxurious and prestigious Toy

Third generation (G60; 2018)

The third generation Century was unveiled at the October 2017 Tokyo Motor Show. The car then went on sale on 22 June 2018, with prices starting from ¥19,600,000 (approximately US$180,000 at June 2018 exchange rates) to the top grade Century Limousine at ¥60,000,000. The Century's production is limited to 50 per month, and it is built in a "nearly hand-made" fashion. Unlike the previous generation, the G60 Century is no longer available outside of the Japanese market due to the G50's failure to sell overseas. It shows that its appearance was influenced by the Century Royal, which was produced at the request of the Japanese Imperial Household Agency to be used by senior members of the Imperial House of Japan in 2006. The full model update maintains the visual tradition of the Century model, while incorporating appropriate technological upgrades and advances such as Toyota Safety Sense P-series collision avoidance support, and Toyota T-Connect. The traditionally installed side-view mirrors above the front wheels, a standard feature that started with the first generation, have been replaced with door mounted units, incorporating turn signal lights. The GRMN version was unveiled on public roads in September 2018. The exterior features a white body with aerodynamic parts and aluminium wheels. The car appears to have been lowered slightly. The front end has been slightly redesigned, and the GRMN badge. 2 Century GRMN's was produced. The white version was introduced as the headquarters car or chairman's car at the 95th Hakone Ekiden in 2019. The black version was exhibited at the 2019 Tokyo Auto Salon. However, there are no plans for a commercial release, nor have the specifications been revealed. A special order, the Convertible was used for the coronation of the Emperor Nar

Century SUV (G70; 2023)

The Century-badged SUV model was unveiled on 6 September 2023. It is built on the front-wheel drive-based GA-K platform shared with the North American market Grand Highlander and the Lexus TX. A 3.5-litre 2GR-FXS V6 engine with plug-in hybrid drivetrain is standard, producing 303 kW (412 PS; 406 hp). Development was led by Yoshikazu Tanaka as chief engineer, along with Design Division General Manager Tatsuya Sonoda. It uses Toyota's E-four four-wheel drive system. In its marketing materials and official releases, Toyota avoided the 'SUV' label to the vehicle. The company described it simply as the "New Century", and according to Tanaka, a "new concept for chauffeur-driven mobility." He explained that the G70 Century adopts this body style to maximise backseat space. In January 2024, Toyota unveiled a unique Century SUV convertible model during the Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo, designed to accompany athletes during Sumo competitions in Japan. The idea of this vehicle was proposed by former yokozuna Hakuhō, who has close relationships with Toyota's chairman Akio Toyoda. On 23 June 2025, the Century SUV received a dimming feature for rear passenger windows. On 22 June 2026, The Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi replaced the previous Century G60 sedan with a Century G70 SUV. Markets. ==== Japan ==== The Century SUV launched in Japan on 6 September 2023, with orders beginning the same day. In Japan, the SUV is sold alongside the G60 sedan at select Toyota dealerships employing specialized sales and service staff called "Century Meisters". China. The Chinese-market version of the Century SUV was introduced at Auto Guangzhou 2023 on 17 November 2023. Slated to be sold through the Lexus dealer network as an imported model, it is the first Century model to officially be export

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name

Toyota Century

Manufacturer

Toyota

Production

November 1967 – present (limousine), September 2023 – present (SUV)

Class

Full-size luxury car (F), Ultra-luxury car

Body style

4-door limousine, 5-door SUV (2023–present)

Layout

Longitudinal front-engine, rear-wheel-drive (limousine), Transverse front-engine, four-wheel-drive (SUV)

Predecessor

Toyota Crown Eight (G10)

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

Sources

• Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1165401CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_CenturyCC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1372302759 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2000-2004_Toyota_Century_5.0_TA-GZG50_(20241208).jpgCC BY-SA 4.0 · Photo: オーバードライブ83 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Manufacturer website (link only) — https://toyota.jp/century/Link only; no content copied · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.

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