Luxury with a Sense of Outdatedness: Toyota’s Shijie SUV Priced at 1.23 Million, Considering BYD’s Tang U8?

Toyota has revealed its new Century SUV named “Shijie” in the Chinese market, which is considered the sedan version of the Toyota Century. The car is set to be imported and launched in China by the end of the year, with an estimated price of 1.23 million RMB. However, with import costs and potential dealer markups, the final price in China may be much higher. The Shijie is 5205 millimeters in length, positioning itself against models such as the BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS, providing competition with the BYD Tang U8 in the Chinese market.

The Shijie represents a test for Toyota, considering the expected price and the competition it faces from domestically produced models like the BYD Tang U8, known for its cost-effective approach.

In terms of design, the car continues the super-exclusive style of the Toyota Century, featuring a rectangular front grille with the iconic phoenix emblem, exuding a dignified and symmetrical style. The interior also maintains a sense of dignity, with embedded screens and a full LCD instrument panel, but it presents a somewhat outdated feel, especially compared to upcoming releases from other companies.

In terms of intelligent driving systems, Toyota provides its Toyota Safety Sense system. However, compared to the experiences of Toyota owners in China, there is still a significant gap in performance compared to domestic automakers.

The comprehensive power of the Shijie is 303 kW, with an all-electric range of 69 kilometers, powered by a 3.5T plug-in hybrid system and intelligent four-wheel drive.

In conclusion, the introduction of the Shijie in the Chinese market presents a challenge for Toyota as it enters the realm of super-luxury SUVs. The market will ultimately judge its success, considering its price, features, and competition, particularly from the likes of BYD’s Tang U8.