This is your 2023 Toyota Crown, unrecognizable return after a long hiatus from our shores. The Crown debuted in Japan in 1955, becoming Toyota’s oldest passenger car name. Like the Japanese E-Class, through 15 consecutive generations of Crown in its homeland, it is known for rolling out new technology to the Toyota range, such as a chauffeured ride for the prestigious and for being a taxi . Toyota sold it in the US from 1958 to 1972. The closest we’ve been to it since then was Lexus GSusing Crown’s platform and powertrain.
This 16th generation of Crown continues the model’s trend of novelty, the first of which are three new body styles in Japan: A wagon, an SUV and a premium sedan along with a version. latest of the standard sedan. We will have one of them, the high-rise sedan.
A few years ago, a wave new vehicle comes with a disclaimer, “Looks better in person.” The 2023 crown has taken off its hat before that era. Standing next to it in the studio, it looks like a intersection. In fact, its form will make headlines as an electric crossover, another variant of the upgraded lozenge that balances aerodynamics, packaging and market tastes. . Crown even has a flat floor, small details from the front bumper to the rear suspension hidden behind the aerodynamic panels.
But it’s not electricity. And when we asked Toyota if it was conceivable to have an electric Crown, we were told the automaker has no plans to combine an electric powertrain with the TNGA platform- K of Crown in the US.
Besides Avalon
Before we dig deeper, let’s take a look at some comparisons. First, because it’s an effective alternative to Toyota AvalonToyota has sized it like Avalon. The Crown is about two inches shorter than the soon-to-be-retired sedan, and the width and wheelbase are less than an inch apart between the two cars. The all-important roof and hip heights – for the US car salesman’s seat – are both four inches taller than the Avalon.
Second, some might wonder how this isn’t a cross-town reboot of Honda Accord Crosstour. This is a full-size sedan advertised as premium, Crosstour is a mass-market midsize sedan. Crosstour starts at around $29,000, Crown will be significantly more expensive. And even though the Toyota looks like a forklift, it has a trunk, unlike Honda’s motobike. There is a significant difference in experience. On the surface, we wouldn’t fault anyone for summarizing, “So it’s a bigger, nicer Crosstour with a trunk.”
There will be three versions, XLE, Limited and Platinum. The XLE and Limited ride on 19-inch wheels, the Platinum comes with an exclusive set of 21-inch wheels. An Advanced Technology package for the Limited can get that midsection on its own 21-inch rims. Platinum is also the only trim that offers two-tone paint, which combines black in the middle and one in five color Besides.
Every Crown here will be a full-time all-wheel drive hybrid. The XLE and Limited will come with Toyota’s Hybrid System, the same system we’re used to with some other Toyota models but with upgrades like high-yield nickel-metal-hydride. the battery. A naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder gets help from two electric motors, sending its power to the front wheels through a continuously variable transmission. The E-Four AWD system is available on request, using an electric motor to drive the rear wheels. Torque split ranges from 100% front to 20:80 front to rear.
Combined system power is 236 hp, 17 hp more than RAV4 Hybrid. Combine energy saving is 38 miles a gallon, two less than the RAV4 Hybrid. This one can drive alone on battery power, but only at low speeds and for short distances – think parking lots and towing into controlled communities after a night out. If not, it’s Casual, Sport and Eco.
The Platinum comes with an all-new Hybrid Max powertrain tuned for performance. A 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and a rear water-cooled engine boost combined power to 340. Instead of a CVT, a six-speed automatic with a multi-disc wet clutch instead of a torque converter improves dynamism, an electronic motor in that transmission fills the power in when shifting gears.
The E-Four Advanced system offers a constant all-wheel drive system, with the front wheels reaching up to 70% of drive torque. The torque split could go the other way 20:80, as with the simple E-Four AWD, but with increased output, more action is sent to the rear. The powertrain adds three more modes, Sport+, Comfort and Custom. Performance drops fuel economy to 28 mpg combined.
MacPherson struts at the front work with a new multi-link suspension at the rear. On the Platinum, the adaptive variable suspension is tuned to minimize pitch and roll.
Near luxury, but not Lexus
Inside, the XLE comes in black textile, Limited with black Softex, chestnut or macadamia, Platinum with black leather. All trims get a 12.3-inch driver display and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen running Toyota’s latest software, which means benefits like OTA updates, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. wireless.
Since Toyota has Lexus For protection, the premium cabin we’ve experienced on the Crown Platinum does the best it can with different black materials and a bit of contrasting trim. We suspect the larger part of the premium perception will be the dynamic experience, which the automaker says has gone to great lengths to reduce noise, vibration and harshness. We were told that instead of highlighting the decibels, engineers paired design details and suppressed audio to create a “quiet atmosphere that allows for easy conversation or listening to music.” more detail”. For example, the steering has been fitted differently for better handling and less vibration, and every Crown has soundproof glass.
All three versions come with dual-zone climate control and heated eight-way power front seats. Limited and Platinum add ventilation for the front doors and heating for the rear. The XLE does with the base, six-speaker sound system, the Limited and Platinum have 11-speaker JBL sound.
On the Limited trim, opting for the Advanced Technology package mounted on those 21-inch wheels is also featured in Toyota’s Bird’s Eye View Camera with Perimeter Scan. Panoramic cameras are standard on the Platinum, as is the Advanced Park System that can place the Crown into an empty space.
Every trim also comes with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, which includes driver aids like blind-spot monitors and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control. Improved sensors will mean better behavior from lane assist.
Toyota isn’t ready to say anything about pricing yet, but it’s obviously going to be expensive. Avalon XLE Hybrid 2022 starts at $38,920 after destination. We won’t be surprised with a $43,000 to $50,000 range across the entire lineup when Crown starts arriving. authorized dealer before the end of the year.
Related videos:
