First Look – Toyota Crown Returns to the US

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Toyota has unveiled a full-size sedan, the 2023 Crown*, that it claims will deliver an “intuitive driving experience.” Marketing babble aside, this new premium sedan on paper offers acceleration and comfort in a new design. It is the first Toyota sedan to offer the HYBRID MAX**System, Toyota’s performance hybrid.

Available in three grades: XLE, Limited and Platinum, Toyota Crown will offer a choice of two different hybrid powertrains: HYBRID MAX or the fourth generation Toyota Hybrid System*** (THS). The HYBRID MAX powertrain, exclusive to the Platinum grade, is Toyota’s latest performance hybrid that puts out a manufacturer estimated 340 net horsepower.

It’s comprised of a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine and a direct shift 6-speed automatic transmission. It has a manufacturer-estimated 28 MPG combined city/highway fuel economy rating. XLE and Limited grades are equipped with THS, a more efficient hybrid system with a newly developed, high-output bipolar nickel-metal hydride battery (yes old tech, not lithium ion) that might live up to the manufacturer-estimated 38 MPG combined city/highway rating.

Built on a newly developed chassis based on Toyota’s GA-K platform, Crown has a raised overall height that’s nearly four inches higher than Camry. So it offers increased road visibility on what is increasingly SUV and pickup truck choked US highways.

XLE grade comes equipped with the 2.5-liter THS, AWD, three select-able drive modes, 19-inch alloy wheels, heated and powered woven fabric front seats and our all-new Toyota Multimedia System with 12.3-inch touchscreen and 6 speakers. It is available in five colors: Black, Oxygen White, Magnetic Gray Metallic, Heavy Metal and Supersonic Red, with a black interior.

Limited grade also comes equipped with XLE features and adds multibeam LED headlights, a fixed panoramic roof, Softex® and fabric-trimmed seats that are heated and ventilated up front and heated in the rear, 11-speaker JBL audio system, rain sensing windshield wipers and intelligent clearance sonar along with rear cross-traffic braking. There is also an available Advanced Technology package that adds dark metallic 21-inch, 10-spoke alloy wheels, a birds-eye view camera and digital key (with Remote Connect subscription). Interior colors include black, black and chestnut and macadamia.

Platinum grade includes everything on XLE and Limited and raises the bar with the HYBRID MAX powertrain, Adaptive Variable Suspension, six selectable drive modes, Advanced Park and unique 21-inch machined 10-spoke alloy wheels with black accents. The color palette adds a Toyota first bi-tone paint option, with black paint that extends from the hood to the trunk, that can be paired with Oxygen White, Heavy Metal, Supersonic Red or an all new, bi-tone only Bronze Age color.

Each grade of Crown will come with Toyota’s new Audio Multimedia System and Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 standard. It is expected to arrive in Toyota dealerships later this year.

*Crown first debuted in 1955 as the “Toyopet Crown,” Toyota’s first mass produced passenger vehicle. Since then, it has gained recognition in Japan as Toyota’s premium sedan. It was also the first Japanese car to land on American shores back in 1958, last being sold in the US in 1972.

**HYBRID MAX combines a 2.4-liter inline 4-cylinder turbo engine tuned to hit peak torque between 2000-3000 RPM, with a front electric motor that helps maximize torque production. A rear-wheel eAxle that’s equipped with a high output water-cooled electric motor is combined with the hybrid engine to directly transmit force to all four wheels. AutoInformed has not driven or tested the system, so it is unknown how well the front and rear motors work together and transition at varying speeds.

***The fourth-generation Toyota Hybrid System in the Toyota Crown combines a high-efficiency 2.5-liter DOHC four-cylinder engine with two electric motors in a highly compact system. The gas engine employs Variable Valve Timing-intelligent by Electric motor (VVT-iE) on the intake camshaft, and VVT-i on the exhaust camshaft. The variable range for the valve timings of both the intake and exhaust are set to maximize both fuel consumption and output.

Toyota Limited Warranty

• Toyota’s 36-month/36,000 mile basic new-vehicle warranty applies to all components other than normal wear and maintenance items.
• Additional 60-month warranties cover the powertrain for 60,000 miles and against perforation from corrosion for 60 months with no mileage limitation.
• Hybrid-related components that require repairs needed to correct defects in materials or workmanship are covered for 8 years/100,000 miles, whichever comes first from original date of first use when sold as new. The hybrid battery is covered for 10 years/150,000 miles, whichever comes first, and is transferable across ownership.
• The 2023 Toyota Crown also comes with ToyotaCare, a complimentary plan covering normal factory-scheduled maintenance, for two years or 25,000 miles, whichever comes first, and 2 years of Roadside Assistance, regardless of mileage.