The 2023 Toyota Crown combines sedan style with the cut of a sports car yet appears to hold SUV ancestry, as shown in its grand, imposing appearance and elevated seating. From all outward appearances, the Crown is a new addition to Toyota's lineup, at least in North America. Although the Crown line of automobiles was initially available in 1972, it has been conspicuously absent for several decades.
So, while this may make this new model seem entirely different, it's both a comeback for an innovative new sedan and a replacement for the position previously occupied in the Toyota range by the discontinued Avalon.
The Crown is available in three trim levels: XLE, Limited, and Platinum. All trims have all-wheel drive as standard. In addition, while all three come with standard hybrid power, there are slight differences in the engines offered for the XLE and Limited trims. This article will take you through the different options available and give you a rundown on the performance of this automobile to give you a good idea of what to expect from this new entrant to the Toyota line, available at Longo Toyota of El Monte, California.
Engine and Powertrain
Let’s start at the heart of the car — the engine. For the XLE and Limited trims, the 2023 Toyota Crown has a pair of conventional hybrid powertrains, with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine combined with three electric motors and a sophisticated addition of the continuously variable automatic transmission. The Platinum trim offers a hybrid max powertrain, a 2.4-liter cylinder, an electric motor, and a complete power delivery of 340 horsepower.
All the models offer a hybrid powertrain, but only the top-end Platinum model is available with the hybrid max powertrain. This 2.4-liter engine pairs with a rear-axle electric motor to produce 340 horsepower. It also uses a six-speed automatic transmission. The XLE and Limited trims go from zero to 60 mph in 7.6 seconds, whereas the more powerful Platinum engine can manage it in 5.7 seconds.
Each trim's engine is reasonably efficient. The basic powertrain, available on the XLE and the Limited editions, will achieve approximately 42 mpg in the city and 41 mpg on the highway. The hybrid max powertrain for the Platinum model offers roughly 29 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on highways. The hybrid max also always operates in all-wheel drive, with 30% of the torque primarily distributed to the rear wheels. Overall, the car is more sedan than SUV in the engine department, giving you efficiency and style in the cities and on freeways.
Interior
The Crown’s interior is salubrious, with aluminum metallic trim marking the black plastic dashboard. While the interior is broadly similar across the different trims, the XLE has black woven fabric seats. In contrast, the Limited and Panoramic trims offer a panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, and leather upholstery in black or black with chestnut. The Limited and the Platinum models come with a moonroof, with the latter trim having a Bird's Eye View Camera system that gives you a panoramic overhead view of the car. The Limited can also provide this system through the optional Advanced Tech additions.
The elevated position of the driver and passengers is an advantage, but it includes the drawback that it might lead to a lower level of headroom for taller passengers. All trims have heated seats as standard and dual-zone climate control. Legroom is adequate for front and rear seats, at 42.1 inches for the front passengers and 38.9 inches for the rear.
The headroom is 38.2 inches and 37.5 inches for the front and rear, respectively, which is quite adequate compared to other cars in its class. The trunk offers 15.2 cubic feet of storage, a reasonable amount for a sedan, and the rear seats fold for extra cargo space.
All trims feature the 12.3-inch infotainment touch screen as standard, with the Toyota interface: Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and smartphone connections. These connect to a second 12.3-inch display with digital gauges for the driver. In addition, a wireless smartphone charging pad, USB-C ports, and onboard Wi-Fi are standard. For the XLE trim, there is a basic six-speaker stereo, upgraded to an 11-speaker JBL stereo for the Limited and Platinum editions. You have a high-tech, effective set of safety and support systems in all trims, including emergency braking, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high-beam headlamps.
Exterior
As shown, this car falls somewhere between a sedan and an SUV, with added elegance and grandeur. The body forms a sharp, fastback sedan shape, and the cladding around the wheel and the lower body suggest an SUV. Essentially, the aim is to give you the benefits you can get from an SUV in traffic while offering you the smooth handling of a sedan.
Overall, the look is stylish on all the trims. There's a high shoulder line and tall roof, with a wide grille on the nose that adds to the imposing impression and grandeur. Two-tone paint is available for all trims. The XLE and the Limited models have 19-inch alloy wheels, but 21 inches are optional for the Limited trim and come standard on the Platinum.
Hidden extras add to its look — such as the chassis holding MacPherson struts in the front with multi-linked rear suspension in the rear. The hybrid max also offers thicker anti-roll bars than the XLE, and adaptive variable suspension is available on the Platinum model, allowing the car to float over the road and ensuring a smoother ride.
Despite being a new entrant into the Toyota line, this 2023 Crown impresses and looks like it has real staying power. The best way to experience this automobile in all its newly produced glory is to see it up close, and you can best do this by reaching out to our dealership at Longo Toyota of El Monte.
