Toyota Century SUV shows itself for the first time

Toyota has already designed the exterior of its SUV-bodied Century model and revealed it during the premiere of the next-gen Alphard and Vellfire minivans. In the official broadcast (see video), the company only showed a darkened silhouette of it, but Response.jp snapped a photo of the screen from a different angle and it turned out rather revealing.

In earlier news, Toyota confirmed that the next generation of its Century model would morph from sedan to SUV along with undergoing other ‘bold changes’. Judging by the presentation image, though, the vehicle looks very recognizable as a Toyota Century. It still has a laconic front end with an upright front grille and a clean, gently curving shoulder line. Like its four-door counterpart, the SUV features a broad c-pillar. We wouldn’t be surprised to see the second seat row pushed farther back to grant the seat occupants more privacy.

Rumor has it that the new Century SUV became possible thanks to the company’s decision to produce the Toyota Grand Highlander on the same platform. Unlike the Highlander, though, the Century may end up with only two seats in the back, designed with Bentley Bentayga or Rolls-Royce Cullinan levels or comfort and luxury in mind.

The premiere date remains to be announced.