The discontinuation of the Avalon flagship sedan by Toyota in 2022 was confirmed last year. For those anticipating a model above the Camry in Toyota’s lineup, the introduction of the 2023 Crown may come as a pleasant surprise. This new flagship vehicle seeks to blend characteristics of both a sedan and an SUV, catering to the prevailing preference of SUVs over sedans among buyers.
The Crown name might not be familiar to everyone, but it has been an integral part of the Toyota brand since 1955. It was the pioneer Japanese car to be sold in the United States back in 1958. The last time it was available in the US market was in 1972, making the Crown a novel name for most buyers today.
Toyota describes this new generation as a “Crown for a fresh era” after 15 previous iterations. This signals Toyota’s ambition to morph it into more than just a flagship sedan by incorporating a raised ride height to attract SUV enthusiasts, despite maintaining a silhouette closely aligned with sedans.
Enhancements include a heightened hip point for easier ingress and egress, along with substantial wheels to provide greater ground clearance compared to a typical sedan. The standard wheel size is 19 inches, while larger 21-inch wheels can also be opted for. The Crown exhibits a more distinctive style compared to other sedans in Toyota’s lineup, evident through its sleek fastback-inspired roofline.
Built on Toyota’s TGNA-K platform, which underpins various cars and SUVs within the brand, the Crown measures 194 inches in length and stands nearly four inches taller than the Camry.
Amid Toyota’s shift towards electrification, a strong emphasis on hybrids persists. Thus, the Crown exclusively offers two hybrid powertrain options. The base setup comprises a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with dual electric motors and a CVT. The more compelling alternative is the novel Hybrid Max system, uniting a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder motor with a front electric motor and six-speed automatic transmission, alongside a second electric motor powering the rear wheels. The Hybrid Max system pumps out a cumulative 340 horsepower.
Toyota projects a 38 mpg combined rating for the standard hybrid configuration and a 28 mpg rating for the Hybrid Max setup.
Given the SUV-inspired characteristics of the Crown, all-wheel drive is a standard feature. Departing from the traditional transfer case, rear-wheel electric motor deployment is utilized to provide all-wheel drive capability. The XLE and Limited editions feature E-Four AWD, while the Platinum variant is equipped with E-Four Advanced, empowering a distribution of up to 80 percent power to the rear wheels.
In continuation of the “premium” theme synonymous with the Crown, its interior offers a luxurious experience with ample room for passengers and a serene atmosphere. The front section hosts twin 12.3-inch screens catering to the digital gauge cluster and infotainment system respectively. The Limited and Platinum trims further enhance the experience with a panoramic moonroof.
The 2023 Crown comes equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 as standard, boasting upgraded system sensors for enhanced detection capabilities. The Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection has been refined to detect motorcyclists and guardrails. When negotiating turns or approaching intersections, the system can identify approaching vehicles and issue collision warnings.
Standard features include adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert with steering assistance, lane tracing assist, automatic high beams, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, and a rear seat reminder system.
The Platinum trim incorporates the Advanced Park System, which employs sensors to locate available parking spots and automatically maneuvers the vehicle into parallel or perpendicular spaces.
The new Crown aims to challenge conventional perceptions of a family sedan. Its ability to break free from the stereotypes that often plague sedans remains to be seen.
Pricing details for the new Crown have not been disclosed yet, but the 2023 Toyota Crown is slated for a later release this year.
