The 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 or 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.
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. 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 in blue with a gothic-style "C" for Century with a label "V8" below. The suspension used trailing arms for the front and rear wheels with airbag support springs.
In 1971, automatic climate control became available, an innovation. Along with the change of engine in April 1973 (VG21) a host of other changes took place. The electromagnetic locks were updated, and taillights were changed from a three-bulb sequential turn signals, adding an amber turn signal bulb on the outer edge and front disc brakes.
The Century sedan wasn't enough for those heady days, and in October 1989, the Century Limousine appeared. This was longer for an overall length of , on a wheelbase, approximately the same dimensions as a Cadillac de Ville series, Lincoln Town Car, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, or a Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit. The Limousine also received a standard padded vinyl roof and an opera window in the centre pillar, where the stretch was placed. It also uses 150 mm wider rear doors, for a more balanced design and ease of entry. An annual production of 60 was planned.
Chassis codes
- VG20: 3.0 L 3V V8, 1967–1973
- VG21: 3.4 L 4V V8, 1973–1975
- VG30: 3.4 L 4V-U V8, 1975–January 1977
- C-VG30: January 1977–November 1978 (1977 Emissions Standards)
- E-VG35: November 1978–1982
| production = April 1997 – January 2017
| designer = Akira Shimizu
| assembly = Japan: Susono, Shizuoka (Toyota Motor East Japan)
| width =
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. , 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 Toyota. In contrast to other luxurious cars (such as those from Maybach or Rolls-Royce), the Century has not been positioned and marketed as a sign of wealth or excess. Marketing literature states roughly that, "the Century is acquired through persistent work, the kind that is done in a plain but formal suit."
Like other cars in the top of the luxury class, the Century is designed with the rear passengers in mind. Hence, the rear seats recline and the front passenger seat (in right-hand drive cars only) has a fold-down centre section so that a passenger in the back may stretch their feet forward. The rear seats are equipped with a massage system. The doors are equipped with a soft-close mechanism, allowing the door to pull itself completely closed electrically when the latch makes contact with the striker. with the LS 600h L at ().
The second generation Century was discontinued on 4 February 2017, after almost 20 years of production. 9,573 vehicles were built from 1996 (the launch year was 1997) to the final figure of 100 cars in 2016.
<gallery widths="200" heights="150" caption="Second generation (G50)">
Toyota Century (rear), Paris, France.jpg|Century rear
1997_Toyota_Century_03.jpg|1997 Century driver's seat. The steering wheel design was adopted for various Toyota models throughout the 2000s.
1GZ-FE.jpg|1GZ-FE V12
</gallery>
Century Royal (G51; 2006)
The Century Royal is the official state car currently used by the Emperor of Japan, being a specially prepared Century, a one-off () custom car. This special version has wool cloth upholstery, internal granite entry steps and Japanese washi paper headlining for the passenger compartment, as well as undisclosed security measures. The front passenger compartment is upholstered in leather.
The suspension consists of double wishbones for both the front and rear wheels, supplemented by air-bag support springs. The engine used is the 5.0 L-V12 shared with the standard Century with power rated at and of torque at 4000 rpm. For various state functions, additional conventional Century sedans are used with a designated "Imperial" number roundel.
The limousine stretches around 20 feet in length and 6.5 feet across.
Chassis codes
- GZG50: 5.0 L 1GZ-FE V12
- GZG50L: 5.0 L 1GZ-FE V12 (LHD export)
- GZG50R: 5.0 L 1GZ-FE V12 (RHD export)
- GZG51: 5.0 L 1GZ-FE V12 (Century Royal)
thumb|left|The [[Akihito|Emperor Emeritus in a conventional Century, labeled Imperial 8]]