Home
Toyota
Crown
News
2023 Toyota Crown Revealed: A Hybrid Sedan That Thinks It's A Crossover
Riding high with two hybrid powertrains, the new Crown is an intriguing addition to the Toyota range.
Jeff Perez 
By: Jeff Perez
Jul 15, 2022 at 1:00am ET
Add Motor1.com as a preferred source in Google
- (https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.motor1.com%2Fnews%2F598310%2F2023-toyota-crown-hybrid-details%2F&text=2023%20Toyota%20Crown%20Revealed%3A%20A%20Hybrid%20Sedan%20That%20Thinks%20It%27s%20A%20Crossover&via=motor1com)
- copy
Share
Comment
While the Toyota Crown isn't a recognizable name to most Americans, it's still a hugely popular vehicle in Japan and other foreign markets. While available in the US for a short time until the 1970s, the Crown has survived sixteen generations in its home market since then, with the latest iteration introduced in 2018.
Now the Crown is back in the American Toyota lineup, but it's not what we were expecting.
The US-bound 2023 Crown is a lifted mid-size sedan with BZ4X-inspired styling cues and a Lexus-esque interior. It even comes with a two-tone paint job on the top trim level and your choice of two Toyota hybrid systems. But for as odd as it may look, the new Toyota Crown packs luxury, amenities, and even a modest amount of power.
Gallery: 2023 Toyota Crown
33
All Hybrid All The Time
Toyota is offering two different powertrains for the Crown at launch. The base XLE and mid-range Limited trims come standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired to Toyota's fourth-generation hybrid powertrain technology. That setup includes two electric motors with a dedicated EV mode for short-distance, low-speed travel, returning up to an estimated 38 miles per gallon combined. An electronic continuously variable transmission is the lone gearbox option.
The top-end Platinum model turns up the power slightly with the new Hybrid Max powertrain, which combines a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder gas engine with two electric motors. That gives the fanciest Crown a total output of 340 horsepower, but this version only returns a manufacturer-estimated 28 mpg combined. And this trim ditches the eCVT, in favor of an old-school six-speed automatic with paddle shifters.
All three versions offer standard all-wheel drive, but the Platinum model's Hybrid Max powertrain introduces an E-Four Advanced all-wheel-drive system for the first time in the Toyota lineup. This unique layout transfers as much as 80 percent of the available power to the rear wheels, which gives the Platinum Crown a more dynamic edge.
And there’s even more tweaking to the suspension. Whereas the XLE and Limited grades utilize a traditional front strut and rear multi-link suspension setup – common across the board for Toyota's TNGA architecture – the Platinum employs a standard Adaptive Variable Suspension, which Toyota says minimizes body roll and improves agility. There are also two additional drive modes on the Platinum, including an Individual setting for extra adjustment.
Choose Your Crown
Polarizing styling notwithstanding, there are a few ways to customize the exterior of the new Crown. The standard shoes on the Crown XLE and Limited models are two-tone 19-inch wheels, while the available Advanced package on the Limited adds 21-inch wheels specific to this trim. But it's the Platinum Crown that packs the most unique styling cues; the two-tone paint job pictured here is exclusive to the top-end model and comes with standard 21-inch, 10-spoke wheels with black accents.
The Crown's interior is far less eye-popping than the exterior, with the base XLE opting for black Softex faux leather throughout. The Limited and Platinum models, meanwhile, go for real cowhide with standard heating and ventilation in the front chairs, heating in the rear, and a standard sunroof.
What do you think?
View
Comments
The latest iteration of Toyota's infotainment system also finds its way inside, with a 12.3-inch touchscreen gracing the dash. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come along, as does 4G wi-fi capability. Every version of the Crown will also boast the Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 suite.
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.
More From Toyota:
Toyota GR bZ4X Under Consideration As A High-Performance Electric SUV
2023 Toyota Corolla Gets New Hybrid Models, AWD
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motor1.com?
Take our 3 minute survey.
- The Motor1.com Team
Share this Story
- (https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.motor1.com%2Fnews%2F598310%2F2023-toyota-crown-hybrid-details%2F&text=2023%20Toyota%20Crown%20Revealed%3A%20A%20Hybrid%20Sedan%20That%20Thinks%20It%27s%20A%20Crossover&via=motor1com)
- copy
GO TO COMMENTS
(
)
Got a tip for us? Email: tips@motor1.com
View all comments ( )
Popular
12 Crossovers That Are Surprisingly Good At Off-Roading
Porsche's Boss Isn't A Fan Of Tesla's Marketing Stunts
Subaru Wants To Save The Gas Engine With A More Efficient Boxer
Honda Secretly Showed Dealers Its Future Models, Including The Element. Here's What They Said
Scout Is Finally Building Real Vehicles At Its $2-Billion Factory
Latest Stories
- Nearly 37,000 Lincoln Navigators Recalled Over Phantom Passenger Seat Movement Nov 12 - Recalls -
- Theon Design Expands US Presence As It Celebrates A Decade Of Porsche Restomods Nov 12 - Aftermarket / Tuning -
- Honda Secretly Showed Dealers Its Future Models, Including The Element. Here's What They Said Nov 12 - Industry -
- Scout Is Finally Building Real Vehicles At Its $2-Billion Factory Nov 12 - Manufacturing / Production -
- Ferrari 499P Modificata Makes Auction History With $9.9 Million Sale Nov 12 - For Sale -
- Ford's Expedition Tremor Overland One-Off Is A Test Bed For What Might Come Next Nov 12 - Los Angeles Auto Show -
- Subaru Wants To Save The Gas Engine With A More Efficient Boxer Nov 12 - Industry -
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
Average New Car Prices Just Hit Another Record: $51,000
Nearly 37,000 Lincoln Navigators Recalled Over Phantom Passenger Seat Movement
Scion Is Back, And It's Bringing A Tiny Kei Truck To America
Theon Design Expands US Presence As It Celebrates A Decade Of Porsche Restomods
12 Crossovers That Are Surprisingly Good At Off-Roading
Honda Secretly Showed Dealers Its Future Models, Including The Element. Here's What They Said
Is Body-On-Frame Really Better For Off-Roading?