Car tint companies hate this one, not-so-simple trick Toyota is using on the Century. No, not the sedan, but the lesser-known SUV it’s been selling for nearly two years. Japan’s answer to the Rolls-Royce Cullinan now has dimming side windows for the rear occupants. It's a feature we’re used to seeing on sunroofs rather than doors. The adjustable glass opacity even extends to the quarter windows for an extra level of privacy.
So, how does it work? Toyota adds a film between two transparent laminated glass panels. Tokyo-based AGC has developed what it calls the Digital Curtain, specifically for the posh SUV, claiming it’s the first time this technology has been used on door windows. Voltage applied to the film controls the distribution and orientation of material within it, enabling instant switching between three levels of transparency.
The material sandwiched between the glass is said to be invisible to the eye and blocks up to 99% of UV rays. Rear-seat occupants can adjust the dimming function, choosing between transparent, semi-transparent, and opaque modes. Although this clever feature was announced a couple of years ago, it's only now available to order on the 2026 Century in Japan.
You might recognize the tech as SPD (suspended particle devices), which become instantly transparent when an electrical current is applied. When powered off, the glass remains opaque. AGC describes it like this: “Thin-film technology in which particles inside laminated glass become aligned when an electrical voltage is applied, making the glass structure transparent.”
Electrochromic glass isn’t new, considering it debuted in 2005 on the Ferrari Superamerica. The tech later appeared on select Mercedes models in the 2010s with AGC’s Magic Sky Control. It has since made its way into mainstream cars, such as the Renault Scenic E-Tech Electric, the Rafale, and more recently, the new Nissan Leaf crossover. In the Century SUV, however, it’s limited to the side windows. The luxobarge’s panoramic sunroof is a conventional glass panel, although it does have an electrically operated sunblind.
The Century isn’t just any luxury SUV. Toyota spends three and a half hours inspecting each vehicle, with final checks conducted by a single master inspector. Unsurprisingly, it’s not cheap, as pricing starts at 27,000,000 yen ($182,500) before options are applied. And yes, those options are plentiful, including lace seat covers as a nod to the "real" Century sedan.
Toyota has also been teasing a Century SUV featuring a minivan-style sliding rear door, along with a high-performance Gazoo Racing variant. Company chairman Akio Toyoda owns the GRMN-badged version, which remains a one-off for now, though he has hinted it could eventually reach customers.
While previous generations of the Century were largely limited to Japan, the SUV is also available in China and could make its way to other markets.
Source: Toyota
