An SUV with Sliding Rear Doors? Toyota’s Century Breaks All the Rules

Okay, Toyota — you officially have our attention. The Toyota Century SUV is making waves for one very unexpected reason: sliding rear doors.

Yes, you read that right. An SUV. With sliding doors. And honestly? It might be the coolest flex we’ve seen from Toyota in a minute.

Wait, what’s the Century SUV?

If you’re not familiar with the Century name, it’s a big deal in Japan — known as the go-to luxury ride for government officials, CEOs, and VIPs.

It’s traditionally been a high-end sedan, but now Toyota’s giving it an SUV makeover to match today’s demand for larger, more versatile vehicles.

The look? Bold, boxy, and refined — built to make a statement without trying too hard. And for the car fanatics out there: it’s based on the same platform as some Lexus models, so you know it’s solid.

Sliding doors: Gimmick or Genius?

At first, you might think, “Sliding doors? Isn’t that just… for minivans?”
But Toyota took it next-level. The Century’s optional sliding rear doors aren’t your typical clunky minivan setup.

They’re powered by this slick, rail-free mechanism from Aisin, which means they glide open smoothly without messing up the clean, luxury look of the SUV.

No ugly tracks. No awkward clunk. Just pure genius for city life and tight parking spaces.

A backseat that’s basically first class

Inside, the Century SUV is ridiculously extra — but in the best way.

It’s built for people who would rather be driven than drive themselves (but if you get to drive it, congrats, you’re living the dream).

Highlights include:

• Fully reclining rear seats (yes, with footrests)

• Big 11.6-inch screens for Netflix binging

• A removable touchscreen remote to control everything

• A mini fridge (because cold drinks are essential)

• An 18-speaker sound system for those luxury playlists

Plus, there’s even a glass partition between the back and the trunk to keep things ultra-quiet. And a special “Rear Comfort” mode that smooths out bumps so you can nap without getting jolted awake. It’s like a mobile VIP lounge.

Under the Hood

Powering this beast is a 3.5-liter V6 plug-in hybrid setup, good for about 406 horsepower. You can even cruise around town in electric-only mode for up to 43 miles. And thanks to four-wheel steering, it handles tight spaces with way more precision than most full-size SUVs.

Not cheap, but totally custom

The price tag? About $170,000.

Yeah, it’s a flex. But compared to a Rolls-Royce Cullinan? It’s basically a bargain. And Toyota’s letting buyers customize the heck out of it — from paint colors to the interior materials and door setups.

They even have special “Century Meisters” who will personally help you design your perfect ride.

Final Thoughts

The Toyota Century SUV is definitely a surprise for American car fans — not just because of its high-end price tag, but because of bold choices like the sliding rear doors.

For now, it’s only available in Japan, but here’s hoping it eventually makes its way to the U.S. market. This is one SUV we’d love to see up close.