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Toyota Crown Makes A Dramatic Return As A High-Riding Hybrid Crossover Sedan
As the Avalon was discontinued, many feared that Toyota will not bring in a replacement but little did we know that something even better was in the pipeline. Introducing the all-new 2023 Crown crossover sedan. With this entry from Toyota, the sedan still lives in the United States where large family sedans are a dying breed.
On the styling, the front is dominated by a gaping intake with attractive LED headlights above that. The hood sits high yet the roofline appears low. From the side, the sloping roof is a clear departure from the boxier Avalon, but there is actually a traditional trunk lid and not a hatchback-like liftgate. A set of 19-inch wheels on the base trim are replaced by 21s on pricier models. At the back, there is a super slim full-width light bar. Go for one of the top two trims and you’ll get a panoramic moonroof.
Inside, the XLE comes with a black fabric weave, the Limited with Softex in either black, chestnut, or macadamia, and the Platinum with black leather. All trims get a 12.3-inch driver’s display and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen running Toyota’s latest software, meaning boons like OTA updates and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Every version of the Crown will also boast the Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 suite.
Every Crown will feature a hybrid powertrain and all-wheel drive. The base system in XLE and Limited models pairs a 2.5-litre inline-4 with front and rear electric motors that outputs 236hp. The all-wheel-drive system will be capable of varying torque between 100/0 and 20/80 front to rear. Fuel economy estimates reach 38 mpg combined, which is significantly higher than the outgoing AWD Avalon’s 28 mpg combined. Drive modes will include Eco, Normal, Sport, and an EV setting that enables short periods of all-electric driving. A CVT is available on this engine variant.
Fancy Platinum models get a 2.4-litre turbo-4 mated with two electric motors for a total system output of 340 hp. Paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission, this grade is estimated to achieve only 28 mpg combined. Those electric motors can vary the torque split between a 70/30 front bias and a 20/80 rear bias. The turbocharged powertrain loses the base car’s EV drive mode but gains Sport+, Comfort, and Custom modes.
Toyota hasn’t announced pricing for the 2023 Crown yet, but expect more details in the coming months closer to the Crown’s on-sale date.
