Toyota's Crown features lifted look, hybrid power

This review first appeared in the October 2023 edition of the Cruisin' News, "Oregon, Nevada and California's classic auto news & marketplace."

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Sacramento, California -- The names of venerable Toyota models roll effortlessly off the tongue: Toyota Corolla, Toyota Camry, Toyota Prius ...

Toyota Crown.

Did that last one trip you up?  Perhaps. Yet that model name has been in the global marketplace since the mid-1950s.

Let me explain.

The Toyota Crown's arrival in the United States edges the long-standing Toyota Avalon sedan to the sidelines. In a nutshell, the Crown sedan hopes to lure a diverse group of buyers who have grown accustomed to crossover SUVs, fuel-sipping powertrains and distinctive styling.

To that end, all three Crown trim levels feature hybrid systems, a "lifted" sedan look and some saucy styling on the front and back ends.  All-wheel drive is part of the package as well.

So while the Crown label has been around for decades, it's a newbie name to most on our shores.

My 2023 Crown Limited sedan was a fetching number in "Supersonic Red" paint and eye-catching round/angular cuts on the front and rear bumpers. It rode high on 19-inch alloy wheels. It's certainly not a staid-looking four-door vehicle.

And I couldn't complain about a hybrid system getting 42 miles per gallon in the city and 41 mpg on the highway. The old-school part of the hybrid system was a 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine.

On the move, the Crown was responsive and a few notches above peppy, rated at 236 horsepower. (Please note: The top-level Platinum model puts out 340 net horsepower.)

Accelerations in my tester were brisk, and the Crown demonstrated admirable darting ability when I wanted to get in and out of tight spots in a hurry.

The tester also doubled as a luxury liner with a strong list of standard features, including heated rear seats and a dazzling 12.3-inch multimedia control center that handled numerous chores.

Even with a nearly $3,000 Technology Package, the bottom line on the tested Crown's sticker came in at $50,648 ... or about $7,500 to $10,000 less than what one might expect in today's market.

All in all, a solid effort.

The zillion-dollar question: Will the changes/features found in the Crown prompt thousands of consumers to write checks for the car in the financial offices of dealerships nationwide?  Time will tell.

What I do know is that Toyota has a history of instituting shifts and making pivots that have proved lucrative.

It will be interesting to see if this Crown ends up being another jewel.