Typically reserved for Japanese elites, the Toyota Century has only been updated three times in the 50-plus years of its production. Debuting at Japan's Tokyo Motor Show back in October 2017, the 2018 Toyota Century was a sight for sore eyes, and it meant the Century finally got its third-generation upgrade after 21 years. As you might imagine, the redesign definitely didn't come cheap. We're talking a pricing of 19,600,000 yen, or when you take United States exchange rates into account, a little over $178,000.
Designed specifically with the comfort of rear-seat passengers in mind, the Century is a chauffeur model along the lines of a Mercedes-Maybach or Rolls-Royce. With an original sales goal of 50 Centurys per month, Toyota packed its new Century with a Hybrid Synergy Drive powertrain, including the 2UR-FSE 5.0-liter V8 engine. The hybrid system maintains the displacement of the prior V12 engine, though the electric motor includes a combined system output of 425 horsepower.
In terms of rear-seat capabilities, the 2018 Century offers a serious upgrade to previous generations. Thanks to the roof's vertical drop off and the 2.5-inch wheelbase, passengers are treated to more head and legroom.
Then, there's the power-adjustable leg rests, a high-end audio system with 20 speakers, the 12-inch television, seats with massage function, power curtains, and a seven-inch touchscreen control. As you can see, when it comes to luxury cars, the new Toyota Century was specifically built with the styling, performance, and amenities of a true VIP vehicle.
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2018 Toyota Century Price Comparison
To give you an idea of how expensive the Toyota Century is, let's take a look at how it stacks up against some other luxury sedans.
BMW 5 Series: $52,600
Lexus LS: $75,000
Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe: $122,800
Rolls-Royce Ghost: $312,000
This post was originally published on June 25, 2018.