It hasn’t been provided in the US since 1972, however the Crown is a vital mannequin for Toyota. Actually, it was the primary mass-market Toyota to ever be exported to the US in 1958. The 2023 Toyota Crown returns to compete within the struggling full-size sedan phase, however with a particular trick up its sleeve. In contrast to the discontinued Avalon, the Crown comes with normal hybrid energy and a raised look that makes it look paying homage to a crossover. Except for the short-lived Volvo S60 Cross Nation, we won’t keep in mind any trendy autos provided within the US that match this sedan-SUV mould that are not EVs a la Polestar 2 and Tesla Mannequin 3.
To search out out if the Crown’s distinctive proportions will breathe new life right into a dying automobile class, CarBuzz flew out to Nashville, Tennessee, to pattern it on some stunning nation again roads.
Is It A Sedan Or An SUV?
The Crown is an odd duck, making it troublesome to explain. It measures 60.6 inches tall, a large 3.7 inches taller than a Camry. Regardless of this, the Crown solely boasts 5.8 inches of floor clearance, simply 0.1 greater than its extra standard sibling. That is as a result of the proportions are misleading. It could appear to be a crossover, however the Crown’s added top primarily comes from a taller belt line, not a considerably lifted suspension.
If you happen to just like the look of a sedan however favor a better ingress/egress level, the Crown could swimsuit the invoice. Toyota will provide three totally different physique kinds in different markets, together with a conventional sedan and two SUVs, however this unusual pseudo sedan is the one one confirmed for the US.
Awkward form apart, we discover the Crown to look futuristic and opulent, particularly within the new bi-tone Bronze Age coloration pictured under. The 2-tone choices may be too Want For Velocity: Underground to sure consumers, but it surely does give the Crown a sporty look. 19-inch wheels come normal, whereas the higher trims journey on 21-inchers.
Close to-Lexus Inside
The Crown’s inside is as up-market as a Toyota could be earlier than it turns into a Lexus. Restricted and Platinum grades provide heated/ventilated leather-based seats in black or black with chestnut and macadamia, however we got here away enamored by the black woven cloth on the XLE. This high-quality material reminds us of the wool seats provided within the Japanese-market Century sedan; they’re smooth to the contact and breathe higher than leather-based.
A 12.3-inch touchscreen comes normal on all grades, as does an equally-sized digital gauge cluster show. The touchscreen is powered by the most recent Toyota infotainment system, that means it will get wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Legroom is plentiful in each rows, although taller journalists on the drive occasion complained that headroom was missing. At 5’8″, we had no points.
Two Flavors: Hybrid And Hybrid Max
All three Crown grades come normal with hybrid energy, however there are two distinct techniques accessible. XLE and Restricted grades embody a well-recognized fourth-generation Toyota Hybrid System with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and two electrical motors. This technique sends 236 mixed horsepower to an all-wheel drivetrain by way of an eCVT. If you happen to worth gasoline economic system, get the usual hybrid, because it’s rated for 42/41/41 mpg metropolis/freeway/mixed. Gasoline mileage comes on the expense of efficiency, as its 0-60 mph dash is not stellar, taking a sluggish 7.6 seconds.
The Platinum grade is the one one to get Toyota’s new Hybrid MAX setup, which dumps the naturally aspirated engine in favor of a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-pot. Mixed with a entrance electrical motor and rear eAxle, the Hybrid Max delivers 340 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque out to a everlasting AWD system that may cut up energy 70:30 as much as 20:80. Most importantly, this technique makes use of a six-speed computerized reasonably than a direct drive, which utterly transforms the driving expertise. Its gasoline economic system is not as spectacular (29/32/30), however the 0-60 time drops to simply 5.7 seconds.
Floats Like An Avalon
Toyota says the Crown just isn’t a alternative for the Avalon, however primarily based on its worth and place out there, Avalon homeowners will see this because the pure development from their present rides. If you happen to’re in search of a smooth, snug cruiser, the Crown suits the invoice; it floats over highway imperfections, particularly when outfitted with the adaptive variable suspension on the Platinum mannequin. Its steering is exact, although this lifted sedan won’t problem a Kia Stinger on a winding highway. We felt comparatively assured within the dealing with, although we think about the standard-height model that is provided in Japan would supply a extra exact driving expertise.
In a straight line, the usual hybrid system feels like several earlier Toyota hybrid we have pushed. It is fabulous when pushed timidly, but it surely sounds strained whenever you wish to go quick. As for the Hybrid Max, it adjustments the sport for Toyota hybrids. By including an precise transmission, you not have to listen to the engine groan underneath arduous acceleration. The shifts add a better connection to the automobile and the increase in energy makes a world of distinction when getting up to the mark or executing a passing maneuver.
Premium Pricing
Pricing for the Crown XLE begins at $39,950, making it costlier than the Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Kia Stinger, and Nissan Maxima however lower than the Volkswagen Arteon. However since none of these autos affords a hybrid drivetrain, the Crown feels prefer it’s in a category of its personal. Stepping as much as the Restricted grade for $45,550 provides a extra luxurious inside and know-how inside. If you would like the Hybrid Max drivetrain, the one strategy to get it’s to step as much as the Platinum for $52,350. That is pricier than a Lexus ES Hybrid, however the Crown does have noticeably extra energy.
Verdict
Our opinions in regards to the Crown are blended. On the constructive facet, it rides nicely and serves as a commendable Avalon alternative in a market that is restricted for full-size sedans. The usual hybrid system will not be speedy, but it surely delivers wonderful gasoline economic system with out utterly compromising efficiency. In the meantime, the non-compulsory Hybrid Max delivers acceleration we have by no means felt from a Toyota hybrid earlier than whereas managing to common 30 mpg.
As for the negatives, the Crown’s distinctive proportions won’t be to everybody’s liking, and the worth borders on premium territory. Practicality is considerably restricted, too, because the Crown has a conventional sedan trunk reasonably than a spacious liftback. 15.2 cubic toes of storage is ok, but it surely’s far lower than the Arteon and Stinger provide.
We think about the marketplace for the Crown is small, however there will definitely be some diehard sedan loyalists on the market who will find it irresistible. If the Crown succeeds, we hope Toyota will take into account bringing different variants to the US.