TOYOTA CROWN vs TOYOTA CENTURY - NEW FLAGSHIP vs OLD FLAGSHIP - HOW MUCH HAS THINGS CHANGED?

The new flagship sedan within Toyota is the all-new Toyota Crown, but in Japan, the true flagship is the Toyota Century - positioned well above the Crown models. Would it not be interesting to compare the all-new Toyota Crown to the old Toyota Century from Japan? This is the question David wanted to explore as he embarked on a fascinating comparison between the 2023 Toyota Crown and 2002 Toyota Century - imported from Japan. David compares everything to see how things have changed over the last two decades in terms of the definition of world-class luxury.
Automotive Press is owned and managed by David Koichi Chao, a global expert in the field of automotive evaluation, engineering, and strategy. With over 35 years of engineering experience, David is able to review vehicles from unique perspectives utilizing technical and specialized methods. David is a board member and a director at AJAC (Automobile Journalist Association of Canada).
David is known around the world as an authentic specialist of Lean/Agile Thinking, and travels all around the world to review vehicles and teach latest engineering methods. Born and raised in Japan, David has an engineering degree from University of British Columbia and post-graduate education from MIT and Harvard Business School in Boston.

[@mie-]

that’s like comparing a distinguished elegant men dressing a suit (Century) 🎩 with a young boy with a reflective sweatsuit (new crown) 🧢

[@dtna]

I just can't get used to the two tone paint.

[@RyanLarivee]

You and Kirk make the most informative Toyota videos. Keep up the good work both of you.

[@KirkKreifels]

Thanks Ryan! We can't wait to show you the Tokyo Motor show in October!

[@faheemabbas3965]

@@KirkKreifelswhat do you expect to see at the Tokyo Auto show? Reveals or anything? Keep it up

[@AutomotivePress]

Thank you Ryan! Kirk and I love doing videos together so you can expect a lot of content from Japan in October!

[@zackz1985]

@@AutomotivePressI feel like a dad watching your video lol

[@seanh2390]

great content … would have liked seeing the engine in the Century

[@ziv2liv]

I don't think those two cars are in the same league. Flagship or not, the Century is an executive vehicle aimed at dignitaries and corporate executives who use chauffeurs. Toyota put emphasis on those who sit in the back, not those who sit in the front. The Crown on the other hand is just another luxury car, that's all, perhaps more like the LS500.

[@KirkKreifels]

Wish the Crown had the Century interior haha. 🤞 we'll see century suv but I'm not holding my breath

[@faheemabbas3965]

Kirkio! I’d love for the Century SUV come to the US even though it’s highly unlikely…

[@AutomotivePress]

Even if it's not coming here, I can't wait to see the reveal Kirk!

[@elizabethwhite4606]

David, the eye-catching uniqueness and rarity of the Toyota Century, beautiful interior, and powerful V-12 engine would be an incredible vehicle to be able to drive once in a while. I really appreciate the larger engine. The Toyota Crown is nice, and the design of the rear end is very stylish and different.

[@ag4eng]

The Century is pure gold.

[@reggievpham5853]

Now I really want the Century

[@jimmyamico4713]

Hi David! I love the Old Flagship Toyota Century! I even like the Toyota crown, but not as much again, and very informative, helpful, and outstanding video… You truly are the king… 🇯🇵❤️🤍🇨🇦

[@rightlanehog3151]

David, We are still waiting for the Toyota Century vs Buick Century video you promised. 😉🤣

[@timothyjackson3874]

lol

[@timothyjackson3874]

The century for pleasure, the Crown for daily.

[@little123456788]

V12 vs 4-cylinder. There is no comparison.

[@gtsison]

The Crown is the US flagship. The Century sedan is still being produced till now together with the new SUV.

[@Shambles7698]

New century will be SUV really looking forward to it soon

[@Norwegianization]

Sir, which toyota hybrid do you recommand to buy second hand?

[@sophaman9193]

Thanks for sharing your video David! I used to owned most of the Japanese cars but right now I stick with toyota products I used to owned a 1987 Cressida beautiful car I just sold last year and also I owned a 1998 camry v6 and 2010 2.4 matrix and last year I bought a brand new 2022 venza hybrid limited I love it beautiful car to drive excellent on gas. Keep a good work David take care bye from milton Ontario Canada 🇨🇦

[@alichaudhry12]

if you're visiting japan how would go about booking a century factory tour?

[@AutomotivePress]

Century factory is closed for tours. I was lucky to have visited there in the past.

[@alichaudhry12]

@@AutomotivePress Thank you for the reply, big fan. I'm hoping to go there next April and as I noticed the new factory was pretty close to the formula 1 track, was hoping two birds...

[@CA-nm7mb]

Older Lexus and Toyotas built in the 1990’s- early-mid 2000’s was the brands absolute best era in terms of build quality, reliability and and overall feeling. Having wool material for interior of the Toyota Century is nothing new. That’s how the old luxury cars used to have their interiors done up in. Old Cadillacs, Lincoln’s, Packards, Buicks, used broadcloth and or wool material for the seats, and door panels from the 1920’s-1950’s. It was a more popular choice over leather for many years because of how comfortable the material was on hot and cold days, plus it wore very well and didn’t fall apart like leather in hot climates. Velour material made its way on interiors of American cars starting in the 1970’s which isn’t exactly wool like, but it’s super soft, nice feeling and is super comfortable to sit on. I love the century! Old school build quality and luxury at its finest. It just looks so inviting and calming inside compared to modern luxury sedans that all most l feel cold, and harsh on the inside with rock hard firm seats. Give me plush thickly padded and cushy seats any day! Enough with this modern way of doing luxury.

[@michaelruys5021]

Does this replace the Avalon or is this an addition to the line?

[@claydand2420]

I enjoy and respect the unique perspective in presentation. I've only owned a few toyota trucks and my wife had a matrix. No complaints. I've always been attracted to the avalon and a few lexus models. I think toyota has another winner with the Crown. Looks beautiful. I would consider one after my lincoln town car hits the 500,000 mile mark.

[@mrkhan2983]

would to see review on Toyota Mark X

[@frankmartin1325]

The most attractive part of the Crown is the higher stance, in a world of SUV, it's nice to be at the same bumper level.

[@danakern2440]

I prefer the "outdated" look and quality of the old school Toyota and Lexus flagships

[@bngr_bngr]

Where does that put the Mirai since it’s at a higher priced model?

[@shane6115]

This is the reason I drive a Lexus hybrid, in 5 years of driving 5 oil services 1 HiD bulb and 4 new tyres.

[@mirai_T]

Please review the new Century esp Century SUV ❤

[@mund1photo]

Are these old Century's a good buy ?

[@faheemabbas3965]

They are if they’re well taken care of and aren’t rusting away. Check for rust.

[@AutomotivePress]

Depending on your definition of a good buy - they don't depreciate too much but they also don't appreciate either...

[@tl266]

The Century should have the two-tone...not the Crown!

[@inthendwealldie]

About the current Crown I thought the previous JDM 15th generation Crown looks much better, that 2018-22 Crown. The previous generation strangely reminds me of some Benz S Class with the front and back headlights, Toyota luxury, but with a Japanese twist. Too bad we never got the 15th gen with that Crown emblem/logo in the front and on the rims, the JDM Crown logo looks pretty cool. The current Crown legit looks like a Prius or a Corolla to me if I saw it on the street, and didn't know about it, esp with no Crown badges anywhere and just the usual Toyota badge. I also feel like it looks pretty plain looking, it also looks like an American car to me. I get some Ford Fusion, Taurus vibes from it

[@bruceli9094]

It's Toyota. It's Japanese. SHUT UP AND TAKE MY MONEY!!

[@SuperSaqer]

If only they continued exporting it!

[@dopesquatch]

The panel gap on a 2002 thats been driven around a bunch

[@Ricky_H]

東富士工場では、マークII、チェイサー、クレスタのラインにいましたが、工場内でセンチュリーの製造エリア（当然ラインには乗っていない）がありました。いつも２，３人の方が１台に付きっ切りで造っていらっしゃったのを覚えています。９０年代の事です(笑)。　　あの、”いつかはクラウン”が今ではハイブリッドのみ…時代は変わりましたねー。

[@ceciliaabdalla4954]

Thank you for making great amazing cars that bring people peace and happiness

[@seikocitizenwatches]

I’d take the 2002 Century

[@mike_adams]

3.3 to 3.5 MM gaps for a Japan built flagship is shockingly large. Expected below 3

[@AutomotivePress]

Don't forget that these are hand-built, so actually more difficult to get the gaps to be small. And this Century was built in 2002!

[@edwarddejong8025]

WOULD love to have a wool interior car. I don't like vinyl or leather in hot climates. They didn't bring in the Crowns that i wanted to see. They brought in the most boring one.

[@kevinvarghese5716]

much i didnt know about toyota. before watching this video i assumed the land-cruiser was the flagship

[@funlovingJohn]

2:00 / 23:05 TOYOTA CROWN the one I drove had a sticker price of $58,000 for compact car. My new Lexus 300H cost $49.000 a full size car that gets a lot better gas mailage than the Crown. Dump the Crown and replace it with Century.

[@silvervuong4135]

If Toyota offers light interior color, I'll pick that; for now choose 4Runner. I already put in order and just wait for 2 more months ...... Made in Japan...STRONG!! CAMRY AND HIGHLANDER are made in USA... kinda shame.... I don't like those

[@creativeusername7951]

The Crown is not the new flagship. The Century is still the flagship line.

[@mrkhan2983]

this crown has lost the classic tank feel like old versions .. 4 cyl Hybrid . cost cutting strategy

[@ABucc]

No comparison. Toyota destroyed the Crown name by making this latest version. The Toyota Crown used to be a beautiful looking luxury car with class, even better looking than the Lexus. Now it looks like a half a$$ Carolla.

[@hyehyesun9980]

the most disappointing approach in toyota history is this so called new Crown, its a clown really!

[@ennispep]

This crown is ugly if i want a crossover i would just get a crossover. They just show off the real toyota crown sedan looks 1000 times better