New Toyota Century SUV To Get Split Headlights, Quirky Honeycomb Grille

Sep. 05, 2023 9:05 AM ET byRex Sanchez Teaser /3 Comments

This teaser follows the previous one that revealed the SUV's rear end.

A new teaser featuring the 2024 Toyota Century SUV's front fascia has dropped, revealing design cues that set it apart from its sedan counterpart.

At the front is the Century badge with the Phoenix logo on the dynamic honeycomb grille. While the front end features the same boxy silhouette as theCentury sedan, this upcoming model comes with split headlights with four subtle daytime running lights (DRLs). The sedan version gets a single squared-off headlight housing and a multi-slatted grille.

Theprevious teaser photorevealed a D-pillar accentuated by a chrome trim slanting upwards, confirming it will come with a tailgate. The split light housing motif, including the DRL styling, was also seen at the back. To top it off, the door handle is held by a chauffeur - fitting for a Century-badged vehicle.

Not much is known about the new model, but previous rumors suggest the Century SUV will be underpinned by the same platform as theHighlander. As such, the upcoming model could use a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with a pair of electric motors tuned to complement its premium ethos.

Another powertrain we could see is the 3.5-liter V6 hybrid found in the flagshipLexus LS. The engine that won't likely be offered is theunique Toyota V12once made available in the Century sedan.

Currently, the Century is powered by a V8 hybrid - which could also make its way to the SUV.

The arrival of the Century SUV should not come as a surprise since Toyota has been building SUV counterparts of its popular nameplates to satiate the global crossover/SUV craze.

The development of the Century SUV looks to mimic what Rolls-Royce has done with the Cullinan and Bentley with theBentayga. It will join the company's ever-growing range of chauffeur-driven vehicles, along with the Alphard and Vellfire.

The Century nameplate has been produced mainly for the Japanese market but since Americans love big cars, this could be a more rational entry than the Century sedan for Toyota.

All will be revealed tomorrow when the Toyota Century will debut via a YouTube livestream.