This is your 2023 Toyota Crown, returning unrecognizable after a long hiatus from our shores. The Crown debuted in Japan in 1955, making it Toyota’s oldest passenger car name. Akin to a Japanese E-Class, over the Crown’s 15 continuous generations in its homeland it’s known for launching new technology to Toyota's range, as a chauffeured ride for potentates, and for being a taxi. Toyota sold it in the U.S. from 1958 to 1972. The closest we’ve been to it since then was the Lexus GS, which used Crown platforms and powertrains.
TranscriptJONATHAN RAMSEY: Say hello to an old friend who went away, got a makeover, and came back unrecognizable. This is the 2023 Toyota Crown. Now, Crown is Toyota's oldest passenger car nameplate, introduced in 1955 on a front engine rear wheel drive passenger car.
It was the first passenger car developed entirely in Japan, Toyota's first mass market passenger car. And over 15 continuous generations in Japan, it's been known for introducing technology to the lineup. That includes speed sensitive steering, airbags, and a front wishbone suspension. The closest we got to it since it left our market in 1972 is the Lexus GS.
The XLE and limited trims come with the Toyota hybrid system that we know from plenty of other vehicles. It comes with a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder, shifts to a six-speed continuously variable transmission. It has 236 system horsepower, which is 17 more than the RAV4. Combined fuel economy, because it's focused on frugality, it's 38 miles per gallon, which is 2 less than the RAV4.
The big first for this car is the hybrid max powertrain. This is a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. Combined system horsepower is 340 horsepower. It shifts through a six-speed automatic with a new multi-plate wet clutch that replaces the torque converter, gives you better response, but that brings combined fuel economy down to 28 miles per gallon.
Now, with the return of the Crown, Toyota says it is reimagining the full sized sedan. What does that mean? Since this effectively replaces the Avalon, we're getting a high-riding Avalon. Dimensions-- it is about 2 inches shorter than Avalon. Everything else is within about an inch, except for ride height, which is 4 inches higher and the roof, which is 4 inches higher.
Hip point as well is 4 inches higher, which gives you that commanding seating position that buyers of vehicles like these enjoy. You also get all-wheel drive. Every Crown runs both axles, has the ability to. The base system on the XLE and limited is E4. And that sends 100% of the torque to the front normally, and sends up to 80% to the rear when you need it.
The other new thing for this vehicle is E4 advanced. That's in 72% maximum to the front and up to 80% in back. On E4 advanced, though, you get a water-cooled electric motor in back. That gives you better response and apportions the pork in a much more dynamic way than you get on the regular E4.
Also, it's been a while since we've had a, well, bi-tone Toyota come out. But on the platinum edition, only platinum trim, you get this bi-tone paint job, which is black from front to back, with any one of these special colors on the side, including a new Bronze Age. And for anyone who wants to know what makes this not a cross tour, a trunk, not a liftback.
And we're told it can fit three golf bags without putting the back seats down. So I am 5'11. And with the driver's seat where I like it, plenty of room. You have to step up to the limited and platinum to get the panoramic roof, so the XLE should have even more room, but I'm totally happy here.
This is your new Crown premium sedan. Now, part of the premiumness will probably come through in the noise abatement measures Toyota says it took. We don't have a decibel level, but the company says it stressed occupants being able to have easy conversation and enjoy the music. Speaking of music, the XLE comes with these bass six-speaker system. The limited and the platinum come with a JBL 11-speaker system.
Now, every crown comes with a 12.3-inch driver display and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen. This is Toyota's latest infotainment-- wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, over-the-air updates. On the platinum, you also get standard bird's eye view that can be optioned on the limited. As for the interior, on the XLE, you get black fabric only. On the limited, you get fabric and soft text trimming. And on the platinum, you get black leather and this tasty piping.
Only the platinum, because it comes with a six-speed transmission, has paddle shifters. I also get two extra driving modes on the XLE. And limited, it's normal sport and eco. On the platinum, normal sport, eco, sport plus, comfort, and custom allows me to set the car up with that racy rear motor in back and the all-wheel drive all the time, the way I might like it if I want to have fun.
What we're going to find out, though, and only find out then when the car goes on sale later this year, is whether this is the high-riding sedan to succeed where others have not. Welcome back, Crown.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander adds another three-row SUV to its line-up that fits between the smaller Highlander and the larger truck-based Sequoia. It features styling closely related to the RAV4, with a wide stance and crisp lines. Three powertrains are available including a non-hybrid turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder, a hybrid …
The 2024 Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 is a big, lovable luxury beast. Under the hood, it’s packing a biturbocharged 4.0-liter V8 making 603 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque, propelling this three-row SUV from 0-60 miles per hour in a swift 4.1 seconds. But it’s not all about speed. With an …
The winner of Autoblog’s 2023 Technology of the Year competition is Mercedes-Benz’s Dolby Atmos audio system. It defeated a number of impressive other new technologies like BMW’s Theater Screen, Ford’s Remote Rev and more. Dolby Atmos Spatial Audio has been present in theaters and home theater setups for quite some …
The 2023 Lotus Emira is finally here! Arriving now in limited quantities after multiple supply-chain delays, this V6-powered First Edition gets 400 horsepower out of its supercharged Toyota engine, which is mated to an old-fashioned, six-speed manual transmission. The engine's mounted in the middle -- right where you want it …
The 2024 Honda Ridgeline is getting the TrailSport treatment along with a number of key interior updates for the entire lineup. The big news is obviously the new Ridgeline Trailsport, which adapts many of the same elements of the all-new Pilot TrailSport and the recently revealed updated Passport TrailSport. That …
The Maserati MC20 represents a rebirth of the Maserati brand. It’s the Italian marque’s supercar and represents a true flagship product that will get folks excited about every other new Maserati on its way. Everything about the two-door coupe, from how it looks, to how it drives, passes the supercar …
For 2024, the Honda Passport picks up some improvements for the off-road focused TrailSport trim, as well as a style-focused Black Edition. The TrailSport's upgrades include all-terrain tires on 18-inch wheels as well as retuned shocks, springs and anti-roll bars for better off-pavement performance. The Black Edition is the new …
The 2024 Honda Prologue will be Honda's first widely-available electric car available in the U.S. While it is based on the Chevy Blazer EV, it has a number of unique qualities, starting with its unique exterior and interior styling that are much cleaner and more reserved than the Chevy. Honda …
The 2024 Acura Integra Type S is the Acura branded variant of the Honda Civic Type R. It gets the same turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder and six-speed manual transmission with 320 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. It does have a number of differences, though. The design is different with a …
The F150 is a significant refresh for 2024 and features a new tailgate, bed dividers and an updated design. The tailgate can now swing out -- Ford joins the tailgate wars with Ram and GM -- and the headlights give the F150 a fresh look. The Tremor and Raptor are …
Ford brought three trims of its refreshed 2024 F-150 to the Detroit Auto Show, including the Tremor, Raptor R and Platinum. The Tremor shows off Ford’s fancy, new Pro Access Tailgate and a new modular bumper with a Ford Performance winch kit on it. Meanwhile, the Raptor R showcases Ford’s …
The 2025 Ford Mustang GTD is the most extreme Mustang and also one of the most extreme road cars ever made. Its body is largely made out of carbon fiber, and it's rocking a 5.2-liter supercharged V8 under its hood that is promised to make over 800 horsepower. Ford created …
The 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE 350 4Matic SUV is a very pleasant luxury EV to pop around in, and while it isn’t particularly sporty to drive, it sure is a relaxing space to spend time in. The EQE SUV is a similar size and class as the gas-powered GLE, though its …
