Buyer's guide
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Buyer's guide & specs
Quick answer
The Toyota Celsior was launched in Japan on 9 October 1989 as the domestic version of the Lexus LS 400 and sold in three generations until 2006. All are four-door, rear-drive V8 sedans: the 1UZ-FE (260, 265, then 280 PS) in the first two and the 3UZ-FE (280 PS) in the third.
Background
The Toyota Celsior was Toyota's top owner-driver sedan in Japan from its launch on 9 October 1989 until sales ended in 2006. It came in three generations, all rear-wheel-drive V8 sedans: XF10 (UCF10/UCF11), XF20 (UCF20/UCF21) and XF30 (UCF30/UCF31). Toyota's history page describes the first as the Japanese domestic specification of the Lexus LS 400.
In each generation (XF10, XF20, XF30) the lower UCF code covers the A and B grades (and, where offered, the eR versions), and the higher code covers the C grade with air suspension. The wheelbase is the same within a generation: 2,815 mm, 2,850 mm and 2,925 mm. A designation such as E-UCF11-AEPQK is Toyota's full model code for a launch C.
Equipment changed by release date, so ask for the build month. The first generation (XF10) was facelifted in August 1992. The second (XF20) changed engine, gearbox and safety equipment in July 1997. The third (XF30) was restyled on 4 August 2003 and revised for emissions on 27 July 2004.
Quick read
Constants
Chassis history
Dates are Toyota's Japanese release dates. Each generation's own page covers its grades, options and checks.
First generation (UCF10/UCF11; on sale Oct 1989, catalogued to Oct 1994)
Second generation (UCF20/UCF21; 1994–2000; on sale Oct 1994, catalogued to Aug 2000)
Third generation (UCF30/UCF31; on sale Aug 2000, sales ended 2006)
Identification
Generation names are broad families. The factory chassis codes below identify the variants represented in JDMBUYSELL's current Toyota Celsior guide data.
Confirm the complete code on the vehicle's frame or VIN plate; drivetrain, body, and market variants can use different prefixes within one generation family.
Market
This guide covers the Japanese Celsior and uses Toyota's Japanese release dates and ratings. Export Lexus LS ratings, equipment and model years are separate and are not used on these pages. Where a generation page compares an export figure, it is labelled as a comparison.
Specs
Figures are from Toyota's Japanese catalogues, releases and history pages. PS is metric horsepower.
Same rating after the Aug 1992 facelift. 87.5 × 82.5 mm, 10.0:1.
87.5 × 82.5 mm, 10.4:1.
10.5:1; catalogue final drive 3.266.
91.0 × 82.5 mm, 10.5:1 (Aug 2003 catalogue).
| Type | Availability | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4-speed automatic (ECT-i) | First generation; second generation until the July 1997 update | Electronically controlled with two-way overdrive. Final drive 3.916 and reverse 1.880 on the Aug 1993 C F package catalogue. |
| 5-speed automatic | Second generation from July 1997; third generation until August 2003 | Super ECT with flex lock-up on the 1997 cars; final drive 3.266, reverse 3.431 (Jul 1997 B catalogue). |
| 6-speed automatic (Super ECT) | Third generation from August 2003 | Sequential shift via an S position; lock-up operates in fifth and sixth. |
Lineup
Grades are as Toyota's catalogues list them.
| Generation | Trim | Engine | Key features |
|---|---|---|---|
| XF10 (UCF10/UCF11, 1989–1994) | A specification | 1UZ-FE 4.0L V8, 260 PS | Coil-spring suspension. Launch: 4,995 × 1,820 × 1,425 mm, 1,690 kg, five seats. |
| XF10 (UCF10/UCF11, 1989–1994) | B specification | 1UZ-FE 4.0L V8, 260 PS | Coil springs with Piezo TEMS electronic dampers. Launch: 1,730 kg, 215/65R15 tyres. |
| XF10 (UCF10/UCF11, 1989–1994) | C specification | 1UZ-FE 4.0L V8, 260 PS | Electronically controlled air suspension (UCF11). Launch: 4,995 × 1,820 × 1,400 mm, 1,750 kg. Leather seats and moonroof optional. |
| XF10 (UCF10/UCF11, 1989–1994) | C specification F package | 1UZ-FE 4.0L V8, 260 PS | A package on C. Adds dual air conditioning and a rear power seat; launch weight 1,790 kg. Leather and moonroof optional. Toyota's August 1992 and August 1993 C F catalogues list the passenger airbag as optional, while its safety history says it became standard in 1992. Verify the actual car. |
| XF20 (UCF20/UCF21, 1994–2000) | A specification | 1UZ-FE 4.0L V8, 265 PS in the cited pre-July 1997 catalogue; 280 PS with VVT-i from July 1997 | UCF20. Launch weight 1,640 kg; 4,995 × 1,830 × 1,435 mm; 2,850 mm wheelbase. |
| XF20 (UCF20/UCF21, 1994–2000) | B specification | 1UZ-FE 4.0L V8, 265 PS in the cited pre-July 1997 catalogue; 280 PS with VVT-i from July 1997 | UCF20 on coil springs. Launch weight 1,660 kg. |
| XF20 (UCF20/UCF21, 1994–2000) | C specification | 1UZ-FE 4.0L V8, 265 PS in the cited pre-July 1997 catalogue; 280 PS with VVT-i from July 1997 | UCF21 with double-wishbone air springs. Launch: 4,995 × 1,830 × 1,415 mm, 1,680 kg, 225/60R16 tyres. Driver and passenger airbags, ABS and traction control; leather and moonroof optional. |
| XF20 (UCF20/UCF21, 1994–2000) | C specification F package | 1UZ-FE 4.0L V8, 265 PS in the cited pre-July 1997 catalogue; 280 PS with VVT-i from July 1997 | October 1994 catalogue: E-UCF21 package on C, 1,710 kg, dual air conditioning and rear power seat; leather and moonroof optional. |
| XF20 (UCF20/UCF21, 1994–2000) | A specification eR version | 1UZ-FE 4.0L V8, 265 PS in the cited pre-July 1997 catalogue; 280 PS with VVT-i from July 1997 | Aug 1996. UCF20 on coil springs; leather, moonroof and 16-inch alloys listed standard; 1,680 kg. Side airbags standard; traction control optional. |
| XF20 (UCF20/UCF21, 1994–2000) | 10th Anniversary Edition (B eR, C) | 1UZ-FE 4.0L V8 VVT-i | May 1999 limited-period run. Five-speed Super ECT, BBS alloy wheels, top-shade rear window, exclusive colours, logo key. |
| XF30 (UCF30/UCF31, 2000–2006) | A specification | 3UZ-FE 4.3L V8, 280 PS | UCF30 on coil springs. Launch: 4,995 × 1,830 × 1,490 mm, 1,780 kg; Cd 0.26. About 5% of first-month orders. |
| XF30 (UCF30/UCF31, 2000–2006) | B specification | 3UZ-FE 4.3L V8, 280 PS | UCF30 on coil springs; launch range only. Heritage-table weight 1,790 kg; Cd 0.26; door easy-closers; about 20% of first-month orders. |
| XF30 (UCF30/UCF31, 2000–2006) | A/B eR versions at launch; eR specification from August 2003 | 3UZ-FE 4.3L V8, 280 PS | Launch A/B eR packages use Europe-tuned coil suspension and 17-inch wheels; launch B eR weighs 1,830 kg. About 80% of first-month A/B orders chose eR. From August 2003, the standalone eR specification uses 245/45R18 tyres. |
| XF30 (UCF30/UCF31, 2000–2006) | C specification | 3UZ-FE 4.3L V8, 280 PS | UCF31 with air suspension and speed-sensitive lowering. Launch: 4,995 × 1,830 × 1,470 mm, 1,800 kg; Cd 0.25; 573 L luggage (VDA). About 75% of first-month orders. |
| XF30 (UCF30/UCF31, 2000–2006) | C F package Interior Selection | 3UZ-FE 4.3L V8, 280 PS | Packages on C. Aug 2003 catalogue lists dual air conditioning, rear power seat, leather, single moonroof and 17-inch alloys; 1,870 kg. |
Gallery
Editorial
Choose the generation first, then the build date. The XF10 is the 260 PS first generation. The XF20 splits at the July 1997 update, when output rose from 265 to 280 PS. The XF30 changes at the August 2003 update.
On any of them, check the frame number and the plate against Toyota's catalogue grade, ask for the timing-belt record, and verify equipment on the car rather than from the grade name.
FAQ
Citations
Sources last verified: