You’ve probably seen the headlines about the "Century SUV" lately. It’s flashy, it’s got sliding doors like a high-end minivan from the future, and it’s grabbing all the clicks. But here is the thing: the 2025 Toyota Century sedan is still the real boss. While the world chases crossovers, the sedan remains the quiet, stoic backbone of Japanese power.
It’s the car of the Emperor. It’s the car of the Prime Minister. If you’re a CEO in Tokyo and you aren't in the back of one of these, people might actually worry about your stock price.
Honestly, calling it a "Toyota" feels like calling a Patek Philippe a "watch." Technically true, but it misses the entire point. The 2025 model isn't just a car; it’s a cultural fortress on wheels. It’s built by hand in a way that would make most European luxury brands look like they’re rushing.
The V8 Hybrid vs. The Ghost of the V12
One of the biggest misconceptions floating around is that the Century still rocks a V12. I hate to break it to the purists, but that era ended with the second generation. The 2025 Toyota Century sedan continues with the 5.0-liter V8 hybrid system (the 2UR-FSE, for the engine nerds out there).
It’s basically the heart of the old Lexus LS 600h but tuned for "dignity."
What does "dignity" mean in horsepower? You’re looking at around 375 hp from the engine alone, with a combined system output closer to 425 hp. It’s not slow. 0 to 100 km/h happens in about six seconds. But you’ll never feel it. The eCVT is designed to make acceleration feel like being pushed by a very expensive silk pillow.
There is no "Sport+" mode here. Instead, you get a "Rear Comfort" mode. It literally adjusts the braking and suspension damping to ensure the person in the back seat doesn't feel the car coming to a stop. It’s obsessed with eliminating the "jerk" of physics.
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Why You Don't Want Leather Seats
Step inside a 2025 Toyota Century sedan, and you might be shocked to see wool. Not leather. Real, high-quality 100% wool upholstery.
In the West, we’ve been trained to think leather is the peak of luxury. In the world of the Century, leather is considered noisy and temperature-fickle. It squeaks when you move. It gets hot in the Japanese summer and freezing in the winter.
Wool is silent. It’s soft. It’s breathable.
Of course, if you really want leather, Toyota will give it to you. But the "Meisters" (the specialized craftsmen who build these) will probably think you have no taste.
The Madness of the Paint Job
You can’t just buy a Century off the lot. It’s not a Camry. You have to be "invited" or vetted in some cases, and the production is limited to about 30 to 50 units a month.
A huge chunk of that time is spent on the paint.
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The 2025 Toyota Century sedan features a seven-layer paint process. After the initial layers are applied, a craftsman wets-sand the body by hand while looking at the reflection in a bowl of still water to ensure there isn't a single ripple.
They call it a mirror finish, and they aren't kidding. Legend has it that the C-pillar is polished so perfectly so that a dignitary can check their tie or makeup before stepping out into a swarm of photographers.
Modern Tech in an Old-School Body
Don't let the boxy, 1990s-esque silhouette fool you. The 2025 version is packed with tech that actually matters for privacy:
- Smart Dimming Glass: A new update for 2025 allows the rear windows to go from transparent to opaque at the flick of a switch.
- Acoustic Insulation: There is literally a separate layer of noise-reducing clear laminated glass between the cabin and the trunk to stop "luggage noise" from bothering you.
- The Phoenix Badge: Every single "Hou-ou" (phoenix) emblem on the grille is hand-carved over six weeks by a master engraver.
The Pricing Reality
So, what does this cost? In Japan, the starting price is roughly 25 to 27 million yen.
That’s about $170,000 to $185,000 USD depending on the exchange rate. But here is the catch: you still can’t officially buy one in the United States or Europe. While some "gray market" importers are eyeing the 2026 window for older models, the 2025 remains a strictly JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) treasure.
There are rumors that a left-hand drive version might eventually hit the Middle East or China, but for now, if you want the 2025 sedan, you better have a Japanese address and a very patient chauffeur.
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Is the Sedan Dying?
With the release of the Century SUV, many thought the sedan was headed for the museum.
Actually, Toyota has doubled down. They view the SUV as a "global" luxury product for the new rich, while the sedan remains the "imperial" choice. It’s about heritage. The SUV is for the guy who wants to show off; the sedan is for the person who has nothing left to prove.
What You Should Do If You're Obsessed
If you’re genuinely looking to experience a 2025 Toyota Century sedan, you have a few options that don't involve moving to Tokyo:
- Look for Luxury Rental Services: In cities like Tokyo and Osaka, specialized car rental agencies now offer the third-generation Century for hire (with or without a driver).
- Wait for the 25-Year Rule: For those in the US, the original V12 models (1997-2017) are starting to become legal for import. They offer 80% of the 2025 experience for a fraction of the price.
- Monitor the "Meister" Dealers: Toyota has established "Century Meisters" at select Japanese dealerships. If you’re serious about a private purchase, these are the only people authorized to facilitate the customization process.
The 2025 Century isn't a car you drive to get from point A to point B. It’s a rolling sanctuary. In a world where luxury cars are getting louder, flashier, and more "digital," there is something deeply respectable about a car that just wants to be the quietest thing on the road.
To truly understand the 2025 model, you have to stop looking at the spec sheet and start looking at the gaps in the door panels. In a Century, those gaps are measured in microns, and the silence is measured in Zen.