Toyota has recently unveiled the all-new Crown in Japan, a model that has been in production since 1955 and is considered the flagship sedan of the Japanese automaker. The new Crown is a radical departure from its previous generations, as it adopts a high-riding fastback design that blends elements of a sedan, a wagon, and an SUV. The new Crown also features a hybrid-only powertrain that offers both performance and efficiency, as well as a state-of-the-art infotainment system that supports wireless connectivity and over-the-air updates. We will look closer at the new Toyota Crown and see how it compares to its rivals in the mid-size luxury car segment.
The Design: A Bold and Unique Statement
The new Crown is based on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform, which also underpins models such as the Camry, the RAV4, and the Lexus ES. The new platform allows for a lower center of gravity, improved rigidity, and enhanced handling. The new Crown also has a longer wheelbase than its predecessor, which translates to more interior space and comfort.
The exterior design of the new Crown is striking and unconventional, as it combines a sloping roofline, a large rear hatch, and a raised ground clearance. The front fascia features a wide grille with horizontal slats, slim LED headlights, and large air intakes. A wavy beltline, pronounced wheel arches, and chrome accents characterize the side profile. The rear end features LED taillights across the tailgate, a roof spoiler, and dual exhaust tips.
The 2024 Toyota Crown has three trim levels: XLE, Limited, and Platinum. The XLE and Limited models have 19-inch alloy wheels, while the Platinum model gets 20-inch ones. The Platinum model also has a more aggressive front bumper, blacked-out grille and mirrors, and a rear diffuser.
The interior of the new Crown is luxurious and spacious, with high-quality materials and finishes. The dashboard is dominated by a 12.3-inch touchscreen that integrates the instrument cluster and the infotainment system. The infotainment system supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as over-the-air updates for software and maps. The system also features a voice assistant that can recognize natural language commands and provide information on various topics.
The 2024 Toyota Crown offers plenty of comfort and convenience features, such as an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, wireless charging pad, head-up display, panoramic sunroof, and ambient lighting. The Platinum model adds ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, leather upholstery, wood trim, a JBL premium sound system, and a 360-degree camera.
The new Crown also boasts a range of advanced safety and driver-assist features, such as adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go function, lane-keeping assist, lane-change assist, blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, road sign assist, parking assist with automatic braking and airbag deployment notification.
The Performance: A Hybrid-Only Powertrain
The new Crown is powered by one of two hybrid powertrains: the Hybrid MAX or the Hybrid. The Hybrid MAX is exclusive to the Platinum model and consists of a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and an electric motor that delivers a combined output of 340 horsepower. The Hybrid MAX is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and an all-wheel-drive system.
The Hybrid powertrain is available on the XLE and Limited models and consists of a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and three electric motors that deliver a combined output of 236 horsepower. The Hybrid powertrain is paired with an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (CVT) and an all-wheel-drive system.
According to Toyota, the Hybrid MAX can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds, while the Hybrid can do it in 7.8 seconds. The fuel economy ratings for the Hybrid MAX are 22 mpg city / 29 mpg highway / 25 mpg combined (10.7 / 8.1 / 9.4 L/100km), while the ratings for the Hybrid are 42 mpg city / 41 mpg highway / 41 mpg combined (5.6 / 5.7 / 5.7 L/100km).
