Toyota Century Receives First Major Update Since 2018

The Century has slowly evolved into Toyota’s true ultra-luxury brand—sitting above Lexus and carrying a level of prestige in Japan that few cars can match. New body styles are arriving, but the heart of the Century brand remains the same—the classic sedan that has carried the name for more than half a century.

The current G60 generation arrived in 2018 and has been basically untouched since then. Seven years later, it’s getting a light refresh. No big changes, but enough tweaks to keep it fresh.

Toyota gave the sedan its newest Safety Sense setup, and the improved Pre-Collision system now recognizes more potential dangers, including bikes, pedestrians, and motorcycles. It can also operate in intersections. Proactive Driving Assist has been added as well, helping the car ease off the throttle or gently steer if someone steps out unexpectedly or if the driver approaches slower traffic or a corner a bit too quickly.

Inside, the only change is an 8-inch infotainment screen with connected navigation. No new materials or colors, which honestly fits the Century’s “keep it timeless” philosophy.

The powertrain stays the same, too. It’s the self-charging hybrid setup borrowed from the old Lexus LS 600h: a naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 paired with an electric motor for a combined 425 hp, sending power to the rear wheels through an eCVT. Air suspension and active noise control remain standard, as you’d expect.

The sedan is still Japan-only. Pricing now starts at ¥23 million (about $149,000), which is roughly ¥2.9 million more than the previous model. Meanwhile, the SUV starts at ¥27 million ($174,000).