2023 Toyota Crown

Let there be light. The Crown’s interior may be a symphony of grey, but at least it’s bright. The large rear doors help to draw plenty of light in, while a two-section panoramic glass roof does likewise. Space is also present in abundance, typified by a center console with space for two cupholders, a bin and a deep recess for wireless device charging. Try not to dwell too much on the caliber of finishings, though – Toyota has gone backwards from the Avalon in terms of plastics quality and the quantity of soft-touch surfaces.

Five adults will comfortably fit into the Crown, though anyone north of six feet tall might feel hemmed in due to that rakish roofline. At least there’s good thigh support and generous legroom back here, while front-seat occupants are treated to armchair levels of comfort. Less positive news comes at the back of the car, where an awkwardly shaped aperture reveals a trunk whose 15 cubic feet of space includes various slopes and bulges.

More refinement than performance. It speaks volumes about Toyota’s priorities for the Crown that acoustic glass is standard, with extensive sound absorption everywhere from its window seals and door apertures to the engine bay and wiring harnesses. This is a car designed to soothe rather than stimulate. Ride quality has been prioritized over handling – there’s a smoothness to the ride that inevitably results in wallowy road manners and a fair amount of body lean.

Two AWD hybrid powertrains are offered, though the larger 2.5-liter gas engine is also slower. Like its turbocharged 2.4-liter sibling, it’s paired to front and rear electric motors, with the two engines generating 236 and 340 hp respectively. The turbo unit is far more impressive, hitting the 60 mark in under six seconds and delivering punchy mid-range acceleration. The 2.5-liter version is fast enough for most people, though. It also achieves superior fuel economy of 41 MPG combined, versus 30 from its sibling.

A comfortable companion. The Crown’s interior is less dynamic than its external appearance, though that might be a positive if you’re not enamored by its looks. An easy-to-use 12.3-inch infotainment screen and identically sized digital instrument cluster are standard on every model, lending the dash a modern aura.

Base XLE models pack heated front seats with eight-way power adjustment, navigation and wireless smartphone mirroring. In terms of safety, every Crown comes with automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cross-traffic detection, adaptive cruise and lane control systems, road sign recognition and automatic high beams. Do note that it hasn’t been crash-tested yet.

If your budget stretches to $46,645, you can enjoy the mid-range Limited trim’s aforementioned panoramic sunroof and ventilated leather seats. It seems unnecessary to spend over $53,000 on Platinum’s adaptive suspension and self-parking technology. While the Crown’s warranty is only three years and 36,000 miles, two-thirds of that includes free maintenance, and the hybrid powertrain is protected for eight years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Final thoughts. A hybrid sedan is unlikely to set the pulse racing, and the Crown is no exception. Toyota has prioritized comfort over driving pleasure, though the turbocharged 2.4-liter engine does deliver a satisfying amount of poke.

The presence of six driving modes on higher trims is a red herring – most buyers will set their car to Normal or Comfort and leave it there forever. A compliant ride and extensive sound-deadening add to the general aura of refinement, alongside the twin benefits of AWD stability and Toyota’s legendary build quality – interior plastics notwithstanding.

We can quickly summarize the people who shouldn’t consider a Crown: those with children over six feet tall, keen drivers, fans of RWD oversteer, and shopaholics who’ll resent the compact trunk’s awkward loading area. Assuming the looks don’t set your teeth on edge, this well-engineered hybrid sedan demands very few compromises of its owners. If Toyota can improve on the cabin materials and soften the design slightly, the Crown could easily become a market leader.

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