Overview
Two years after its launch, the Toyota Crown is back and hasn’t undergone any significant alterations. The Crown is a bit of a tweener, not quite a full-size sedan but significantly larger than a standard midsize sedan, much like the Avalon it replaced. However, Toyota has made a number of changes to set it apart from the majority of other sedans.
The lower body covering lends SUV-like features to the otherwise fastback-like design of the Crown. The wide grille on the nose, which is modelled after the face of the Toyota Venza but appears to be burdened by an overbite, gives the exterior an almost exquisite appearance. Notably, the Crown now presents as an elevated sedan with a sitting position 4.0 inches higher than the Camry and a matching roofline to the original Venza, which was a high-riding wagon. Two-tone paint gives an exquisite touch to the top trim.
All Hybrids Toyota Crowns
There are two hybrid versions of the Crown available, both with four-cylinder engines and standard all-wheel drive. While one of them leans more toward performance, the other emphasizes efficiency. The engine produces 236 horsepower and achieves an estimated 41 mpg in the XLE and Limited models. That’s remarkable for a large car, especially with all-wheel drive as standard. Toyota provides the Hybrid Max, a performance-focused hybrid powertrain for the Crown, with the Platinum trim level. It generates a robust 340 horsepower, but the combined fuel economy will be reduced by 11 mpg.
The Crown aspires to be a quasi-luxury vehicle due to its features and price, which puts it in price parity with the Lexus ES. In addition, the Volkswagen Arteon, although being a midsize sedan by definition, has more room in the back seat than other cars in its class. It also boasts a luxurious interior. We also advise looking at the Hyundai Sonata and Honda Accord hybrid models. They are less expensive yet nevertheless offer comparable interior space and great fuel efficiency.
Engine Transmission and Performance
All Crown models have a hybrid drivetrain, but only the top-tier Platinum model is equipped with Toyota’s latest Hybrid Max system, which combines an electric motor mounted on the rear axle with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder to provide 340 horsepower overall. A less potent 236 horsepower hybrid powertrain with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder and three electric motors is available for the XLE and Limited versions. All-wheel drive is standard on every trim level, with the XLE, Limited, and Platinum using continuously variable automatic transmissions (CVTs) and the Platinum using a six-speed automatic. The Crown’s acceleration with the standard engine is sufficient; on the test track, it reached 60 mph in 7.2 seconds. The Platinum trim’s 5.1-second launch to 60 mph demonstrates how much brisker it is thanks to its more potent arrangement.
Interior Comfort and Cargo Space
Comfort is something that The Crown excels at. An adjustable suspension system was included with the Platinum model. It offers a superb ride on almost any surface you can throw at it. Even the sportier settings felt quite cushy but reduced some of the body motions; the softest settings worked excellent on some of the worst road surfaces.
In addition, the cabin has excellent wind and road noise insulation. The Platinum trim’s improved Hybrid Max powertrain to be fairly quiet, but when you press the gas pedal hard, the normal hybrid becomes substantially noisier. The comfort of the rear seats is another area where we believe the Crown is lacking a little. It’s roomy, but the rear seatback angle is odd, so you’ll need to fiddle around a little to find a position that’s rather comfortable.
The trunk of the Crown has an average capacity of 15.2 cubic feet. If you need more cargo room, the rear seats may be folded down. The modestly sized middle armrest bin up front can be opened from either the driver’s or passenger’s side thanks to two hinges.
Infotainment System and Connectivity
All models are equipped with a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen that runs Toyota’s most recent, significantly upgraded software interface. The infotainment software incorporates Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which provide a wireless link with cellphones. Digital gauges are displayed on a second 12.3-inch display in front of the driver, and the Crown also offers USB-C ports, onboard Wi-Fi, and a wireless smartphone charging pad. Limited and Platinum variants receive an 11-speaker JBL stereo in place of the six-speaker one seen in the base XLE trim.
Prices of the 3 Different Models
Compared to Toyota’s other four-door models, all three of the Crown’s trim levels offer a more luxurious experience. Exclusive to the top-tier Platinum model, the more potent Hybrid Max powertrain is the most exciting option.
The XLE version goes for $41,445, Limited version for $47,045 and Platinum for $54,465
