Introducing the 2023 Toyota Crown: It may not make the most sense when sedans are America’s least favorite body style in 2022, but Toyota believes it has a formula that will win customers over. The 2023 Crown comes in where the 2022 Avalon left off and takes on a raised quasi-crossover persona. With an overall height that is about 4 inches taller than the Camry and Avalon, the Crown combines the traditional sedan shape with a seating position that will please drivers who prefer a higher vantage point. It will also be all-wheel drive only and hybrid-only, two things that truly set it apart from the Avalon. Two hybrid powertrains will be on offer: the THS 2.5L 4-cylinder hybrid shared with the other TNGA-K platform vehicles (Camry, RAV4, Highlander, Sienna, Venza), as well as the new 2.4L turbocharged 4-cylinder ‘Hybrid MAX’ powertrain first seen in the 2023 Lexus RX 500 F Sport Performance. That model will produce 340 horsepower and get 28 mpg combined (the standard THS hybrid will net 38 combined).
Many expected the Crown to be a liftback in the same vein as the Kia Stinger or Volkswagen Arteon, but alas it actually sticks with a traditional sedan trunk. That puts it more in line with the late Volvo S60 Cross Country. Upon close examination, it appears to be hiding a pretty spacious trunk area. Toyota has not provided the size of said trunk or the official ground clearance at this time, but they claim it is “just below an SUV”. The standard ‘E-Four’ AWD system (on the THS hybrid models) will be motivated by a rear electric motor that can split torque from 100:0 to 20:80 front-rear. The Hybrid MAX’s Advanced E-Four AWD can split between 70:30 and 20:80 front-rear.
Other notable features of the 2023 Crown are optional 21-inch wheels, a 6-speed automatic transmission on Hybrid MAX models, an optional adaptive variable suspension, and a standard 12.3-inch audio multimedia display. Toyota has not announced an on-sale date yet, but claims it will be out “later this year.” If the leaks from the beginning of the year were true, look for it to hit dealership (at least in New York) by October.
Introducing the 2023 Toyota Crown here.