The Toyoda (now Toyota) Model AA passenger car (left) and the Toyota Corolla Concept. November 7, Tokyo Big Sight (©Sankei by Takumi Kamoshida).
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At Tokyo Big Sight, where the Japan Mobility Show 2025 took place, crowds lined up at the booths of Toyota, Lexus, and the carmaker's newly standalone Century brand. One of the show's biggest head-turners was the reinvented Century, no longer a stately sedan, but an SUV with bold new styling.
Lexus, meanwhile, reimagined its flagship LS sedan as a striking six-wheeled minivan concept. With SUVs dominating displays across the exhibition floor, one question looms: Is the era of the sedan coming to an end?
Shaping the Next Century
First introduced in 1967 as Toyota's ultimate chauffeur-driven sedan, the Century has been the ride of choice for prime ministers and industry elites. But it's shedding its formal past. Following the launch of an SUV variant in 2023, Toyota revealed a sleek two-door coupe SUV at the 2025 show. "This is a car for the next 100 years," declared Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda.
Lexus, born in the United States in 1989 and now a global luxury brand, generated buzz with its futuristic take on the LS: a six-wheeled concept vehicle that blends luxury with radical design.
No Sedans at Hyundai
Korean automaker Hyundai, making its first appearance at the show in Asia, opted not to display any sedans. While sedans remain popular in South Korea, Hyundai has not confirmed any sedan models for the Japanese market. Instead, SUV models like the IONIQ 5 took center stage.
Chinese electric vehicle (EV) giant BYD stood out with SUVs like the ATTO 3 but also featured its redesigned sports EV sedan, the Seal. "By offering a variety of body types, we're expanding customer options," said a company spokesperson.
Corolla Concept Embraces the Classic Sedan
Amid a sea of SUVs, Toyota's new Corolla Concept makes a deliberate return to the sedan. While the current Corolla lineup includes SUV and touring variants, this concept revives the traditional low-slung silhouette.
"Even though it's more challenging to pack key components into a sedan's compact frame, we chose this form on purpose," a Toyota representative explained. Designed with future powertrains in mind, the concept aims to accommodate EVs and other next-gen technologies.
Also on display: a nod to Toyota's roots with the Toyoda AA, the company's first mass-produced passenger car.
Skyline Specials to Global Luxury Shifts
Nissan, which debuted new Elgrand and Leaf models, showcased a special edition of its classic Skyline sports sedan: the 400R Limited. Only 400 units will be produced, and orders begin on November 13. Its signature Wangan Blue body color drew attention.
Another sedan, the all-electric N7 from Dongfeng Nissan (a joint venture in China), created buzz during press previews but was not open to the public. Although the model has received over 17,000 orders in just a month in China, no plans for release in Japan have been announced.
Among overseas automakers, BMW displayed the latest 5 Series sedan, a long-standing flagship. By contrast, rival Mercedes-Benz skipped its core E-Class in favor of coupes like the CLA and the concept AMG GT XX.
The Sedan's Evolving Role
Electric sports sedans were the most prominent sedans on display. Traditionally associated with comfort and luxury, that image has shifted toward SUVs and minivans.
Though sedans have long served as a core vehicle form – important in terms of engineering, shifting user demands now call for sedans to take on new roles: environmentally friendly, sporty, and versatile.
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Author: Takumi Kamoshida, The Sankei Shimbun
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