Toyota Celsior

Introduction

The Toyota Celsior, produced from 1989 to 2006, is a full-size luxury sedan primarily for the Japanese domestic market. Internationally, it is better known as the Lexus LS. The Celsior was Toyota’s flagship sedan, offering unmatched comfort, refinement, and advanced technology. It became a symbol of prestige in Japan and helped establish Toyota as a competitor to European luxury brands.

Exterior

The Celsior featured a sleek and elegant exterior design with smooth lines, chrome detailing, and a commanding presence on the road. Its long wheelbase, wide body, and aerodynamic styling reflected luxury and sophistication. Later generations incorporated HID headlights, larger alloy wheels, and refined bumpers, enhancing its premium appeal.

Interior

Inside, the Toyota Celsior delivered an exceptionally luxurious experience. The spacious cabin featured high-quality leather, wood-grain trim, and advanced amenities such as power-adjustable seats with memory, multi-zone climate control, and premium sound systems. Higher trims included features like air suspension settings, rear-seat entertainment, and reclining rear seats for ultimate comfort.

Safety Features

The Celsior was equipped with advanced safety systems for its time. Standard features included multiple airbags, ABS with electronic brakeforce distribution, and reinforced body construction. Later models added traction control, stability control, adaptive cruise control, and even early pre-collision systems, showcasing Toyota’s commitment to innovation.

Engine Trims

The Toyota Celsior was powered by smooth and powerful V8 engines. Early models featured a 4.0L V8 producing around 250 hp, while later versions offered 4.3L V8 engines delivering up to 290 hp. These were paired with advanced automatic transmissions, with rear-wheel drive as standard. The emphasis was always on refinement, smoothness, and quiet operation.

Maintenance

Maintenance of the Celsior is straightforward given Toyota’s engineering quality, though luxury components can increase costs. Regular servicing of the engine, suspension, and electronics ensures reliability. Air suspension and electronic systems in higher trims may require additional attention but contribute to the car’s premium experience.

Competitors

The Toyota Celsior competed with luxury sedans such as the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW 7 Series, Audi A8, and Nissan President. Its blend of reliability, luxury, and advanced features made it one of the most respected sedans of its era.