While other automakers have given up on large sedans, Toyota has doubled down with a new full-size model that resurrects the legendary Crown flagship. Replacing the now canceled Avalon sedan in North America, the new 2023 Toyota Crown is a global top-end model for the brand and will be built at their Tsutsumi plant in Japan starting late this year.
Making the large sedan more appealing will be a taller silhouette and high seating position that reads more like a crossover from behind the wheel. The seating height is some four inches higher than that of the Camry offering easier entry and exit as well as better visibility.
There is much historical significance of the Toyota Crown which has been at the top of the brand’s food chain around the world from 1955 to 1972 – often called the Japanese Rolls Royce. It has been used to chauffeur dignitaries and was the first Toyota to come to the States in 1958.
While styling is familiar with Toyota DNA, the Crown is all-new with a styling and design treatment that speaks to its place in the showroom. Wheel sizes range from 19 to 21-inches, LED lighting standard all around as is generous use of premium trim elements. It features a fastback roofline that reads more grand tourer coupe than a traditional sedan.
The Toyota Crown will be exclusively available with two hybrid powertrains. Most notable is the first offering of the Hybrid Max powertrain on Platinum trim grade that features a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission. Between the two is a powerful electric motor and an additional electric motor is at the rear axle for what Toyota calls E-Four Advanced AWD.
The new Hybrid Max system offers up 340 horsepower and as much as a 28 mpg combined. More captivating is that the direct-shift automatic transmission will give the Hybrid Max Crow a more exhilarating driving experience offering the ability to be manually shifted and held in a selected gear. Additionally, Platinum will offer an expanded selection of drive modes including Sport +
Standard propulsion will be the latest generation of the venerable 2.5-liter gasoline engine and eCVT hybrid drive system with electric motors front and rear for AWD. With a new high-output bipolar nickel-metal hydride battery it’s expected to offer up to 38 mpg combined.
Built on the TNGA-K comes in at 194-inches of length with a 112-inch wheelbase which makes its footprint just slightly less than the outgoing Avalon. It features a MacPherson-type strut front and fully independent rear suspension and on Platinum grade has electronically adaptive dampers.
The interior strikes a conservative tone in its design theme even compared to the outgoing Avalon. Don’t be fooled however, it will come loaded with plenty of high-tech and creature comforts. Soft trims surround all major touch points and seating surfaces will range from SofTex vinyl to full leather trim.
A fully digital instrument cluster and a new 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment and human interface grace the dash. The latter will feature a full range of multimedia content and audio options, many part of a new subscription service.
Special attention has been given to sound-blocking with features like acoustic class, extra sound insulation and body sealing materials to assure a ride and driving experience befitting the Crown’s name.
The 2023 Toyota Crown starts production later this year and is due to arrive late in 2022 or early 2023.
