Toyota News: Toyota Crown Hybrid, the Stop Gap Product Till EVs

[G. David Felt]

1955 Toyota Motor Corporation introduced the Toyota Crown sedan to the Japanese market and holds the distinction of being the longest-running passenger car nameplate affixed to any Toyota model, along with being the first vehicle to be exported to the U.S. in 1958.

1955 Toyota Crown

The Toyota Crown was on sales in the U.S. in both 2-door and 4-door till 1972 when it was discontinued for the U.S. market.

1972 Toyota Crown

Official Marketing Image

Upon being pulled back to the Asian rim and specifically the Japanese market, the Toyota Crown moved up stream to be the top-of-the-line auto for executives while a lower trim levels with self-opening and closing rear doors are used to this day in Japan as Taxis.

Crown History

July 15th, 2022 Toyota announced the return of the Toyota Crown to the U.S. with Bold Style and a New Hybrid Max Powertrain. Specifically at the time Toyota released the following details:

• Reimagined Sedan with Bold Styling, Premium Comfort and Elevated Ride Height
• Three Grades, XLE, Limited and Platinum, All with Standard Electronic On-Demand AWD
• Hybrid Powertrain Standard with Choice of First-Ever HYBRID MAX or Toyota Hybrid System
• HYBRID MAX on Platinum Pairs a 2.4-L Turbo Hybrid Engine with Rear eAxle for 340 HP
• Spacious Interior and Quiet Ride, with Standard Adaptive Variable Suspension on Platinum
• Platinum Grade Offers Unique Bi-Tone Paint and Standard 21-inch Wheels
• Toyota’s All-New Audio Multimedia System with 12.3-inch Touchscreen Standard

On October 25th, 2022 Toyota released further details about the Toyota Crown specifications for the Hybrid Max platform and some of the interior. See link for full details of exterior and interior by trim level in attached PDF: 

2023-Toyota-Crown-Product-Information_FINAL_11302022.pdf

Crown Product-Information

• Hybrid - XLE & Limited - 236 combined net HP - 0 - 60 mph (91-octane fuel) 7.6 seconds
• Hybrid Max - Platinum - 340 combined net HP and 400.4 lb-ft combined net torque - 0 - 60 mph (91-octane fuel) 5.7 seconds
• Hybrid XLE & Limited - 2.5-liter Dynamic Force 4-cylinder paired with electric motors
• Hybrid Max Platinum - 2.4-liter inline 4-cylinder turbo charged with electric motors
• AWD Hybrid XLE & Limited electric motors torque
  • Front - 88 kW / 149 lb-ft
  • Rear - 40 kW / 89 lb-ft
• AWD Hybrid Max Platinum electric motors torque
  • Front - 61 kW / 215.4 lb-ft
  • Rear - 58.6 kW / 124 lb-ft
• Battery Pack
  • Nickel-metal hydride battery
  • 230.4V
  • Capacity 3hr 5.0Ah
• Drivetrain layout and transmission type
  • Hybrid - Electronic On-Demand All-Wheel Drive with ECVT
  • Hybrid Max - Full Time Electronic All-Wheel Drive with Direct Shift 6AT speed automatic transmission
• Auto Weight
  • Hybrid - Curb weight 3980 lbs. / GVWR 5020 lbs.
  • Hybrid Max - Curb weight 4343 lbs. / GVWR 5285 lbs.
• Basic Limited Warranty Coverage
  • 3-year / 36,000-mile Comprehensive
  • 5-year / 36,000-mile Powertrain
  • 5-year / unlimited mileage Corrosion Perforation
  • 10-year / 150,000-mile Hybrid Battery
  • Toyota Care - Complimentary maintenance plan with purchase or lease of every new Toyota. For 2-years or 25,000 miles, whichever comes first, every new Toyota will be covered for all normal factory scheduled service, as well as 24/7 roadside assistance.

Toyota Crown will be available on dealer lots this early 2023 with the following starting prices:

• Crown XLE Hybrid AWD - Starting from $39,950
• Crown Limited Hybrid AWD - Starting from $45,550
• Crown Platinum Hybrid Max AWD - Starting from $52,350

Full 2023 Toyota pricing can be reviewed here in their 2023 Toyota Full-Line Pricing:

2022-2023-Toyota-Pricing.pdf

Toyota says that their Crown Hybrid AWD system found in the XLE and Limited will have a manufacture-estimated 38 MPG. The E-Four AWD Hybrid system is a drive-by-wire system with CVT and has a front / rear wheel driving force distribution starting with 100:0 and 20:80 ensuring enhanced fuel efficiency and comfortable driving performance.

Crown XLE/Limited Exterior / Interior

Toyota Crown Platinum Exterior / Interior

E-Four Advanced AWD, paired with Hybrid Max on the Platinum trim delivers power to the front and rear wheels via a front mounted hybrid motor and to the rear wheels via through a rear-mounted eAxle electric motor. The front and rear wheel drive force is precisely controlled between 70:30 and 20:80. Toyota says their rear motor, which generates power through water cooling, makes it possible to maximize torque to the rear wheels. This new AWD system enhances the drive force for the rear wheels providing a feel of RWD maneuverability, straight line stability with comfortable turning and responsive acceleration.

The interior has a large two panel sky roof and upgraded interior materials and electronics.

Toyota Crown overall height comes in at 60.6 inches, compared to the Camry at 56.9 inches. Overall length of the Crown is 194 inches, 72.4 inches wide, and a wheelbase of 112.2 inches.

Toyota is calling the Crown a First Class Cabin with standard 8-way power adjustable driver and front passenger seats. Heated front seats are standard on all three trim levels. Limited and Platinum have standard ventilated front seats and heated back seats. The XLE comes with Softex and back woven fabric for the seats where leather is standard on the Limited and Platinum.

All Crowns come standard with dual zone climate control and a 12.3 color MID. The panoramic roof is standard on the Platinum and Limited models, optional on the XLE. All trims come with in-cabin LED lighting. Various charge ports can be found throughout the Crown and a Wireless vertical-type charging spot is on the driver's side.

The Platinum comes standard with a Bird's eye View camera with Perimeter Scan which offers a panoramic overhead view of the auto's surroundings. This can be purchased on the Limited as part of the Advanced Tech Package. All three trims have a standard backup camera system. Limited and Platinum come standard with a Smart Key System that works on all four-doors.

According to hotcars.com, they are reporting that the all-new Crown family of autos that is rolling out across the Asian rim has had a new addition to the U.S. market. 

Many have known that the Toyota Avalon is a dead product for Toyota. The Crown Cossover that we have covered above here is the Avalon replacement. What was not known till now according to the hotcar.com website is that the Crown family is coming to the U.S. The Crown Family has the following four Hybrids from Left to Right in the photo below.

Crown Crossover, Crown Sport in red is a smaller compact SUV, Crown Orthodox sedan in grey and then the Crown Estate SUV in a golden yellow.

Crown Crossover aimed at everyone, especially families.

Crown Sport has a target audience of the youthful out of college crowd.

Crown Orthodox sedan is the larger mature sibling focused on luxury and smoothness, aimed at those that love the back seat, preferring to be chauffeured around. This car is the popular choice for executives across the Asian rim.

Crown Estate full size SUV is your conventional SUV aimed at the larger families, those liking a lifestyle SUV.

All four Crown models are expected to be rolled out over the next 18 months.

All four models will be built on the Toyota TNGA platform that is a Hybrid / ICE platform. Toyota has promised that the Crown family of autos will have the highest standard for minimal vibration for the smoothest ride possible along with Toyota Safety Sense making the Crown family of autos the safest, driver assisted top-notch fun to drive autos on the market.

This is a global launch in 40 countries with expected sales of 200,000 first year.

Toyota's President Toyoda stated: " Customers from around the world will now get a chance to drive this historic Japanese nameplate... born out of passion, pride and progress."

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[G. David Felt]

Interesting that the Crown product line will require Premium fuel, 91 octane. 

[riviera74]

Looking at some of those historic pictures of the Crown, it does have a Lexus LS look to them, particularly from 1990 until today.

Is the Crown supposed to be a lower-priced LS or is it just replacing the Avalon, or is there more to this car?

[G. David Felt]

1 hour ago, riviera74 said:

Looking at some of those historic pictures of the Crown, it does have a Lexus LS look to them, particularly from 1990 until today.

Is the Crown supposed to be a lower-priced LS or is it just replacing the Avalon, or is there more to this car?

The Crown is their executive Limo with custom interiors in Japan. It is the high end of the Toyota / Lexus family as Crown was only sold as a family in Japan and the Crown Limo was the only thing sold outside of Japan for executive / Limo service use in the Asian rim. Yes, I do believe the style that Lexus has here in the U.S. is from the earlier versions of the Crown in Japan.

I do find it very interesting that while it is an Avalon replacement here, it has the potential to be the true high end of Toyota and as one who has been in the Crowns in Japan, it would clash with Lexus for luxury sales.

It will be very interesting to see how Toyota handles this here with their Lexus lineup. Course Lexus is to convert to all EVs by 2030 where Toyota does not see the need to leave ICE or Hybrid till 2045 to 2050. So, it could be just keeping all things alive moving forward as their custom-built Executive Crowns in Japan are all Hybrid now too.

[Drew Dowdell]

I was wondering how Toyota was going to make a business case for the Crown with just one expensive sedan, but it looks now like they are making it sub-brand with several models, so that makes more sense.

I attended a press presentation for the Crown via Zoom back in December and it was interesting.  The powertrain is very compelling, but I'm not yet sold on the looks.  I'm also not sold on that being a "first class cabin".  It's nice and all, but I look to Genesis for first class cabins... even high end Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade for what a first-class cabin should look like.

This is a Hyundai Sonata Limited.

 

[G. David Felt]

7 hours ago, Drew Dowdell said:

I was wondering how Toyota was going to make a business case for the Crown with just one expensive sedan, but it looks now like they are making it sub-brand with several models, so that makes more sense.

I attended a press presentation for the Crown via Zoom back in December and it was interesting.  The powertrain is very compelling, but I'm not yet sold on the looks.  I'm also not sold on that being a "first class cabin".  It's nice and all, but I look to Genesis for first class cabins... even high end Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade for what a first-class cabin should look like.

This is a Hyundai Sonata Limited.

 

This Hyundai put the Toyota Crown to shame. Yup, Toyota Faithfull will buy it, but that is a hard sell to everyone else I think.

[ccap41]

I'd really like to see one of these in real life. They seem to awkward and weird in pictures/videos but I have a feeling they may be one of those vehicles that still has a pretty good "presence" in person. Right now, they do absolutely nothing for me but I feel like they may be decent in person. 

[oldshurst442]

I actually like the silhouette on this.  

Like I have stated plenty times already, it seems like OEMs are designing their CUVs to be more sedan-like.  We maybe finally going away from the sport utility styling and back to sedan styling again.  And I applaud ANY effort that does away with the crapastic  classical CUV stylings. 

Change the type of headlights in the front for an LED cluster package system that we have today and the Eagle hasnt aged one bit...

 

 

However...cant Toyota figure out how to do decent front ends?   Honestly!!!