The Toyota Crown has been around in Japan since the 1950s, but it will appear in America in 2023 as an all-new hybrid model, replacing the Avalon sedan. This newly designed AWD Crown offers a lifted body in a sedan package that is somewhere between a conventional sedan and a crossover SUV.
Adjusting the Crown
The Crown first appeared on Japan's roadways in 1955 as a mid-size luxury car and is the longest running nameplate of any Toyota model. It was also the first Toyota to be exported to the United States in 1958. The Japanese used the Crown as a police car as well as for transporting high ranking government officials. It has been a taxi cab in Japan and was also frequently used as a company car for upscale executives. Here in America, the Lexus LS took over the role as Toyota's luxury flagship in 1989.
Now the Crown returns stateside in its sixteenth generation, replacing the Avalon with a four-door five-seater that is both a remarkable sedan and a roomy crossover. To tick all the popular boxes, it is also an all-wheel drive hybrid hatchback. Two hybrid powertrains are available. The base powertrain includes a 236-horsepower hybrid system, and in Platinum trim, you'll get a 2.4-liter turbocharged inline four and two electric motors amping up the power to 340 horses.
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Toyota calls the Crown a premium sedan with a higher ride-height design and it debuts with three trim levels, the entry level XLE, the Limited, and the Platinum.
Under the Hood
Both the XLE and Limited variants include Toyota's 2.5-liter, four-cylinder gasoline engine paired with three electric motors that are powered by a new nickel-metal-hydride battery pack. Basically, two of the electric motors and the gas engine power the front wheels while the third electric motor powers the rear wheels. This version of the hybrid powertrain offers 236 horsepower for a combined EPA rating of 38 miles per gallon. An EV Mode allows you to drive using electric power only for short distances.
Bumping up to the Platinum trim gives you Toyota's Hybrid Max system with the larger 2.4-liter turbocharged inline-four gas engine and two electric motors married to a six-speed automatic transmission that takes the place of the torque converter in the base system. More powerful electric motors add horsepower and torque for a total of 340 horsepower. The Platinum version always operates in all-wheel-drive mode, sending 70 percent of the power to the front wheels. However, this beefier version takes a hit when it comes to fuel efficiency, bringing in a combined 28 miles per gallon.
Inside the Cabin
Both on the outside and on the inside, the new Crown is sleek, showcasing the latest Toyota design cues and offering upscale premium comfort and ample room for the family. Like many new hybrids and all-electric cars, the dash focuses on a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen and digital gauges. The touchscreen handles everything from GPS Navigation and driver assist features, to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A row of push buttons under the screen lets you adjust the climate control features.
You'll find a number of USB ports in the cabin as well as a wireless charging pad. The base model comes with eight-direction power front seats that come heated as standard in a leather-like material. The Limited and Platinum editions add heated seats for the rear passengers and ventilated leather seats up front.
Wrap it up!
The new Crown will be in showrooms by the end of this year, looking for a more upscale buyer than the old Avalon provided. Suggested retail will be in the $42,000 zone for the XLE trim, with the Platinum closing in on $50k. You'll find the new hybrid at a Lithia Motors Toyota dealer near you.
