Tuesday, October 24, 2023

2023 Toyota Crown Luxury Hybrid: The Japanese Brand Brings Sexy Back In A Quasi Sedan


Highlight: The Crown replaces the conservative style Avalon.

Test Vehicle's MSRP: $50,445 (Base Model – XLE): $41,045

Seating Capacity: 5

Standard Safety Features: airbags; ABS; traction control; a stability control system; a rear camera; a tire pressure monitoring system; an electronic blind spot monitoring system; and a hill start control system

Standard Equipment (Base): 19-inch wheels; AWD; a hybrid engine; a manual operated tilt/telescopic steering; a leather shift knob; a push button ignition start; a keyless entry system; a 12-inch touchscreen infotainment screen; a dual zone automatic climate control system; fabric seats with pseudo leather trim; power front seats; a subscription-based navigation system; and heated power outside power folding exterior mirrors



Standard Equipment (Luxury):  a heated steering wheel; heated rear seats; a JBL 11-speaker system; heated/ventilated front seats; leather seats; rain-sensing variable intermittent wipers; a panoramic fixed roof with a power sunshade; parking rear assist system with automatic braking; and tire pressure sensor

Options: 21-inch wheels; panoramic 360-degree camera; digital key combability; and special color

Other Trim Levels:

Platinum

Standard Audio On Test Vehicle: a 6-speaker audio system with AM/FM/HD with SiriusXM

Bluetooth Connectivity: Standard

USB Connectivity: Standard

Apple/Android Connectivity: Standard

Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty: 3 years or 36,000 miles

Powertrain Warranty: 5 years or 60,000 miles

Engine/Horsepower: a 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder/236-horsepower (hybrid powertrain)

Recommended Fuel: regular

Standard Fuel Mileage: 42-city/41-hwy (test model)



What’s New: The stylish and athletic Crown replaces the Avalon, bringing a fresh approach to the dwindling large car segment.

Why:

Stylish design for a large car

Sits higher than a traditional car

A fresh and modern interior design and layout

Roomy vehicle

Load of technology

A high level of safety driving aids

A variety of trims

Fuel efficient with hybrid engine

A fixed panoramic sunroof

Heated and ventilated front seats

Heated rear seats

21-inch wheels available on Platinum trim

340-hp turbo engine on Platinum model

A modern and contemporary design

Only available in an AWD configuration

But: 

The hybrid powertrain reserved for the XLE and Limited trims seems severely underpowered

The larger 2.4-liter turbocharged 340-horsepower hybrid engine is only reserved for the higher level Platinum trim

No power sunroof in the (test model)

No heated rear seats (test model)

While this is the luxury trim, the Crown doesn’t offer the ride quality of a luxury vehicle

The voice activated system is sketchy when operating the infotainment system

No longer priced under $40,000 like its predecessor the Avalon

Verdict: 

While all but two of the automakers have backed out of the large car segment, Nissan and Toyota are the lone rangers. Up until the arrival of the Toyota Crown, which replaced the aging Avalon, Nissan’s Maxima was the only stylish alternative.

The all-new sexy looking Crown, with its athletic bulges, replaces the grand-parent -like Avalon. Despite Toyota’s attempt over the years to spruce up the Avalon, offering a TRD trim, it was never going to make the cut, appealing to a market who needed something larger than the popular midsize Camry. However, the new design direction of Toyota shows it’s not an either-or proposition. The Japanese brand can offer style, comfort and reliability packaged as a large car. 

The Crown, which is new to the states in terms of the nameplate, has served as a symbol of affluence in its home country for decades. This model year’s sexy Crown arrives as an all-wheel drive sedan, with a higher ground clearance like a Subaru or the old AMC wagon, separating itself from a traditional sedan. The Crown, also looks like a supersize Toyota Prius. Both vehicles exude the styling direction we all knew Toyota was capable of. 

Competition:  2023 Nissan Maxima

 

2 comments:

Motor Mazad said...

It's refreshing to know that Toyota is still committed to the large car segment when many others have backed out. The Crown's unique blend of style, comfort, and reliability in a large car is impressive, and it's great to see them leading the way in this category. The fact that it's all-wheel drive with higher ground clearance adds to its appeal, making it a versatile choice for various driving conditions. Thanks for the informative review, and I'm excited to see Toyota's efforts to redefine the large car category while keeping an eye on developments from motormazad.

anosh said...

كشف تسربات المياه بالرياض be a major headache for homeowners and businesses alike. From the costly water bills to potential property damage, finding and fixing leaks quickly is essential. That's where water leak detection companies come in.

After Two Decades, The Iconic Honda Returns In 2025

  Honda Preludes future and past. (Photo Credit: Honda) After being absent from the Honda lineup for over two decades, the iconic Prelude re...