Crowning Achievement: 2023 Toyota Crown is a Lifted Sedan with a Bold Style and New Hybrid Max Powertrain
The 2023 Toyota Crown returns to the U.S. as a reimagined full-size sedan with electronic on-demand AWD, and elevated ride height.
The all-new 2023 Toyota Crown is a bit of a challenge to define. It has a lifted ride height and all-wheel drive. But it has a distinct sedan body. Perhaps we can call it a Sedan Utility Vehicle or SUV for short? Oh wait, that might be confusing. Well, no matter what you call it there is no questioning that this is a bold new vehicle for Toyota. It is a premium vehicle that offers two hybrid powertrain options, a comfortable and quiet interior, plus it is loaded with technology. The Crown will be available in three grades: XLE, Limited and Platinum. The top Platinum trim will be the first Toyota to offer the Hybrid Max powertrain system. More on that in a bit.
In case you are wondering about the name, the Toyota Crown first debuted in 1955 as Toyota’s first mass produced passenger vehicle. The name Crown was chosen to represent innovation and pushing the limit at Toyota. The Crown first came to the U.S. in 1958 but has not been sold here since 1972. Now 50 years later it is coming back to our shores. And like the Crown models before it, the 2023 Toyota Crown is looking to lead the way as an innovative and technology-driven product. There is a lot to cover with this new model so let’s get into the details.
Hybrid Power
Two hybrid powertrains will be offered on the new Toyota Crown. The base system is the fourth generation Toyota Hybrid System (THS). This pairs a 2.5L 4-cylinder with two electric motors. This powertrain is connected to an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission. You will find this hybrid powertrain in other models such as the RAV4 Hybrid. In the Crown it is expected to produce about 236 horsepower and offer a 38-mpg combined city/highway rating. But the big news is the all-new Hybrid Max that is exclusive to the Platinum trim.
Max Power
The new Hybrid Max system combines a 2.4L turbocharged engine with a front electric motor and a rear wheel eAxle that’s equipped with a high output water-cooled electric motor. The system is expected to deliver a stout 340 horsepower with a respectable 28-mpg combined city/highway rating. The Hybrid Max system also includes three selectable drive modes. SPORT+ mode for when you have the car out for an early Sunday morning drive and want to hit the back roads. This setting puts an emphasis on steering response, flat cornering, and a sense of stability. COMFORT mode is when you just want to chill. This mode provides a more supple drive that emphasizes passenger comfort. There is also a CUSTOM mode that enables drivers to adjust system settings individually so you can set the car up exactly how you like it.
All-Wheel Drive
All 2023 Toyota Crown models come with all-wheel drive. XLE and Limited grades come with E-Four AWD and the Platinum grade comes with E-Four Advanced. E-Four AWD drives the rear wheels with a rear motor, to provide traction when needed in slippery conditions. With this system power can be varied from as much as 100 percent to the front wheels to a ratio of 20 percent to the front and 80 percent to the rear. E-Four Advanced is a sportier setup. It delivers power to the front and rear wheels via a front mounted hybrid motor and to rear wheels through a rear-mounted eAxle electric motor. This system is paired with a direct shift six-speed automatic transmission. The base system can be 100 percent front-wheel-drive, but the E-Four Advanced system has more of a rear-wheel-drive balance. Power can be routed front and rear between a ratio of 70:30 and 20:80.
Toyota New Global Architecture K
The new Toyota Crown rides on the TNGA-K platform that underpins several other Toyota products. But the Crown is lifted to crossover SUV heights. The overall height is 60.6 inches which is nearly four inches higher than the Toyota Camry. The XLE and Limited have a front strut and rear multi-link suspension setup. The Platinum adds an adaptive variable suspension that uses variable oil pressure shock absorbers that help to better provide a more comfortable ride and better performance. The XLE and Limited ride on 19-inch wheels with 21-inchers being an option on the Limited. The Platinum comes standard with 21-inch machined 10-spoke wheels with black accents.
Two-Tone Paint
We already listed a number of the extra features that come with the Platinum grade but this one might be the most unexpected. A Toyota-first two-tone paint option. Selecting this option gives you black paint that extends from the hood to the trunk. This option can be paired with Oxygen White, Heavy Metal, Supersonic Red or an all new, two-tone only Bronze Age color. Exciting to see Toyota offer a bold color choice on the Crown. We are curious to see how many people take advantage of it. But we know we would.
Serenity Now
Toyota made a quiet cabin a priority with the all-new Crown. And they didn’t focus on just reduced decibel levels they aimed for a calm atmosphere for enjoy music and having an easy conversation with passengers. Acoustic glass, sound absorbing insulation and body sealing material are utilized to help reduce unwanted sound. This includes a sound absorbing pad placed between the engine bay and cabin. Toyota engineers looked extensively at how noise is transmitted into the cabin and insulated all those spaces to keep the cabin as serene as possible.
Premium Cabin
We already know it will be quiet but the overall look and feel of the cabin is what you would expect in a premium automobile. All models get heated front seats, the Limited and Platinum up the comfort level with seat ventilation. The upper two trims also get standard leather. All 2023 Toyota Crown models get dual zone climate control and a 12.3-inch customizable color driver display. There is in-cabin LED lighting and wireless Qi charging along with standard USB ports to keep everyone charged up.
Technology
The Toyota Crown will feature Toyota’s all-new, North American developed audio multimedia system. “Featuring a 12.3-inch touchscreen, the system offers an improved user experience and a wide range of enhanced connectivity and convenience features, including being Over-the-Air (OTA) updatable. Users can interact with the new system’s design through touch and voice activation.” The XLE will get you a 6-speaker sound system. But audiophiles will want to step up to the Limited or Platinum to get the standard JBL premium audio system with 11 speakers, including a rear subwoofer, powered by an 8-channel amplifier. This system was tuned specifically for the acoustics in the Crown. All grades come with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0. The Platinum comes with Toyota’s Advanced Park System.
When and How Much?
We expect the 2023 Toyota Crown to arrive at dealers this fall. Pricing has not been announced at this time. We would guess that the Crown XLE would start with an MSRP in the low to mid $40K range. The Platinum with the advanced powertrain, suspension and other features will likely be in the $50K range. That will all be revealed at a later date. But what we know now is that Toyota has a bold new product on the way, and we can’t wait to get behind the wheel.
Images: Toyota
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