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As one of the very first Toyota models in the United States, the Toyota Crown is making a comeback for 2023 after over 50 years of absence. The Crown is now less of a sedan and more of a coupe-SUV-type vehicle. It's also back as a hybrid-only model, featuring two Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive hybrid powertrains. As the replacement for the now-defunct Avalon, the Crown has some pretty big shoes to fill. However, with established Crown models sold in its home country of Japan and other countries, the Crown hasn't gone anywhere over the past 50+ years, but it's simply making a classy and fashionably late showing to the American market.
2023 Toyota Crown
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- Turbo Hybrid Engine
- Standard AWD
- Inviting Interior
- Great Fuel Economy
- New Technology
- JBL Stereo
- Engine: 2.5 Liter or 2.4 Liter Turbo
- Drive Layout: AWD
- Horsepower: 236 HP or 340 HP
- 0-60mph: Not Yet Tested
- Torque: N/A
- Top Speed: Not Yet Tested
- Transsmission: CVT or Six-Speed Automatic
- Peppy Engine Choices
- Conventional Six-Speed Automatic On Turbo Models
- Loads of Room
- High Price
- Availability
- Options Add Up
2023 Toyota Crown Performance And Capability
Depending on which engine you order, you'll also get different transmissions. The standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder on the XLE and Limited trims is taken right out of other Toyota models like the Camry, the RAV4, and the Highlander, and it comes with a CVT as its only transmission choice. It has a net output of 236 horsepower. Opt for the Platinum trim and you'll get a new 2.4-liter turbocharged engine with a conventional six-speed automatic and you a net system output of 340 horsepower. Both engines are part of Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive engine family. AWD (all-wheel drive) is a standard feature on Crown.
Both engines offer plenty of power for the class. The standard 2.5-liter and CVT combination is perfectly fine and gets great gas mileage. This standard power plant features Toyota's conventional hybrid system with no turbo. Go with the 2.4-liter turbo, and expect much better performance and acceleration. Like the 2.5-liter, the 2.4 turbo is a hybrid engine, but it trades the usual Toyota hybrid CVT for a conventional six-speed automatic transmission. This adds to the excitement by providing the sound and feel of gear changes for the driver and passengers. So, if you're looking for the ultimate in performance from Crown, opt for the turbo engine.
Expect responsive handling and a low center of gravity with Crown. Riding on the TNGA-K (Toyota New Global Architecture) platform, this new platform has a very strong torsional strength and is extremely stiff. That translates to tight handling, a better ride, and a much better "screwed together feeling" than outgoing Toyota models from 5-10 years ago that rode on the previous "K" platform. MacPherson struts underpin the front suspension system, while multi-link underpins the rear suspension system. If you're eager to drive the Crown, but can't find one to drive just yet, test drive a Toyota Camry Hybrid. The Camry Hybrid is the closest relative to the Crown for engine and transmission choices. Just like the Crown, the Camry Hybrid also rides on the TNGA-K platform and has very similar build characteristics.
Engine Type | 2.5-liter or 2.4-liter Turbo |
Horsepower | 236 HP or 340 HP |
Torque | N/A |
Transmission | CVT or Six-Speed Automatic |
0-60 | Not Yet Tested |
Top Speed | Not Yet Tested |
Drive | AWD |
Mileage/Range | 42 MPG City and 41 MPG Highway with the 2.5 and 29 MPG City and 32 MPG Highway with the turbo |
Towing Capacity | N/A |
Exterior Design
The Toyota Crown's exterior is very striking, and elegant. You get an imposing grille along with strong creases both on the hood and the fenders. The headlights are jewel-type lamps that are definitely distinctive. Unique to this American version of Crown is the Toyota badge. In other markets, Crown has a unique badge different from the three-oval badge, however, in America, we get the standard Toyota logo.
The roof gives the impression of a coupe, but the headroom inside is average for a sedan. The Crown also features an accent piece on the bottom 3/4 of the doors that adds a little flair to the doors. The wheels, depending on which model you order, are either a flower-ish design or a striking turbine wheel. The back gets the designer's touch too with LED lamps and "Crown" spelled out along the trunk lid. A small "AWD" badge occupies the back left corner and like the front, the usual Toyota logo is present.
The Crown certainly stands out from the crowd in many ways in styling. Its sedan profile with a swanky SUV ride height makes this a truly unique vehicle on the road. Opt for the optional paint choices, and you get gorgeous metallic-flake paint with tons of depth. A black roof option also adds the latest in styling and again adds even more flair to this elegant sedan. While the optional paint is a bit pricey, it adds tons of charecter to this looker of a sedan and is really worth it.
Exterior Colors | Color | Price |
Standard | Black Magnetic Gray Metallic Oxygen White | Included |
Optional | Heavy Metal Supersonic Red Oxygen White with black bi-tone Heavy Metal with black bi-tone Supersonic Red with black bi-tone Bronze Age with bi-tone | $495 for the solid colors $975 for bi-colored |
Length | 196.1 in |
Width | 72.4 in |
Height | 60.6 in |
Wheelbase | 112.2 in |
Ground Clearance | 5.8 in |
Curb Weight | 4250 - 4306 lbs |
Interior Quality And Technology
The interior of the Crown is also equally as polarizing as the exterior. The 12.3-inch high-res touch screen dominates the center stack. The only button on that screen is a volume knob, which makes for a very clean look, but does hamper the usability of the screen at a glance. An available JBL stereo also will play your favorite tunes with clarity and depth with ease. Heated front seats are standard, with the option to get ventilated front and heated rear seats definitely making this a comfortable place to spend time in.
And on those chilly mornings, an available heated wheel keeps your fingers and hands warm. The Crown also features Qi wireless charging, along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so the need for cords is completely eliminated. And a digital key function allows you to use your smartphone as a key. An optional glass roof also lets a ton of light into the interior. Leather and accent pieces are abundant in Crown on higher trims. Although some of these accent pieces are faux materials (painted plastic) they do add a nice touch to the interior of the Crown. Overall, the interior of Crown feels like a big step up from Camry or the now-defunct Avalon.
Seating Capacity | 5 |
Headroom | 37.5 - 38.2 in |
Legroom | 38.9 - 42.1 in |
Shoulder room | 55.1 - 57.1 in |
Cargo Room | 15.2 cu-ft |
2023 Toyota Crown Price
The 2023 Toyota Crown in base XLE trim carries an MSRP of $39,950, plus $1,095 towards handling and destination fees. The range topping Platinum trim costs $52,350 MSRP.
Trim | Price |
XLE | $39,950 |
Limited | $45,550 |
Platinum | $52,350 |
Configure your 2023 Toyota Crown here.
Safety
The Crown packs lots of advanced safety features for the class. The following features come as standard on the Toyota Crown.
- Lane departure
- Forward collision alert
- Forward emergency braking
- Pedestrian braking
- Radar cruise control
- Lane tracing assist
- Road sign assist
- Automatic high beams
- Curve braking
Crown also features the standard safety features from Toyota, like ABS (anti-lock braking), TRAC (traction control), stability control, TPMS (tire pressure monitoring system) with tire-specific readout, and brake assist; all the modern goodies.
As far as airbags go, Crown has lots. There are eight airbags to be exact. Driver and passenger frontal airbags, side curtain airbags for front and rear seats, front seat-mounted torso airbags, and driver and passenger knee airbags. All eight airbags are standard in Crown. This vehicle has not been rated by IIHS or NHTSA yet for crash performance.
Main Competition
The Toyota Crown is really in a class all on its own. However, there is one competitor that competes within the same class as the Crown; the Volkswagen Arteon. In a world of shrinking full-size sedans, these are the only two that are aimed at the premium market with front-wheel drive bias systems. The Arteon is a premium vehicle that has the same basic silhouette as the Crown, and it also is the flagship for the VW product line.
Arteon offers a turbo engine too, but it's not a hybrid like the Crown. It offers seating for five and has a luxurious cabin. Arteon also has all the latest tech, just like the Crown. However, where Volkswagen sedan falls short is in fuel economy and power. The Toyota has fuel economy that zooms past Arteon and power that also outdoes Arteon.
FAQ
Q: Is the Toyota Crown available in USA?
The Toyota Crown is back in Toyota's USA line-up for the 2023 MY.
Q: Is the Toyota Crown the same as a Lexus?
No. The Toyota Crown is the flagship sedan of the Toyota line-up. However, Crown still doesn't offer the interior material quality of a Lexus. While this is still a very nice vehicle, Lexus models do step it up another notch.
Q: Is the Toyota Crown fast?
Either engine choice offers spunky performance. The standard 2.5-liter engine and CVT combination is perfectly fine and acceptable. However, if you're looking for that true punch, opt for the 2.4-liter turbo engine.
Q: Is the Toyota Crown fuel efficient?
Expect class-leading fuel economy with Crown. Crown is a standard hybrid, so fuel economy among gas sedans is fantastic.
Q: Is the Toyota Crown a 4-cylinder?
Yes. All Crown models have four-cylinder engines.
Q: Does the Toyota Crown have a Turbo?
Yes. The optional 2.4-liter engine is turbocharged.