2023 Toyota Crown will replace the Avalon as a lifted, hybrid sedan.

2023 Toyota Crown, A new hybrid sedan with up to 340 horsepower and standard all-wheel drive will soon be available in the United States under the Crown name, which has been used on automobiles in Japan since the 1950s.

With two hybrid engine choices, standard all-wheel drive, a ton of contemporary technology, and an odd lifted-sedan bodystyle, the new Toyota Crown will be available for the 2023 model year. The Platinum variant adds a 2.4-liter turbocharged inline-four and two electric motors for 340 hp, up from the standard engine’s 236 horsepower hybrid. The Platinum comes with a gorgeous two-tone color choice, an 11-speaker JBL audio system, and a heated and ventilated leather-trimmed front seat.

If you’re unsure about how to categorize the 2023 Toyota Crown, don’t worry. Toyota also isn’t. sedan or SUV? The teaser alluded to a question. Despite the fact that it is referred to in the press release as a “luxury sedan” with a “higher ride-height design.” We’re tempted to refer to the Crown as a “sport utility sedan” since it looks similar to the Volvo S60 Cross Country and Subaru Legacy SUS from the late 1990s. Whatever it is, The Crown will effectively replace the Avalon, which will be discontinued after 2022. The Crown offers a vibrant new look, two hybrid powertrain choices, and standard all-wheel drive in exchange of the Avalon’s stuffy personality.

MPG and horsepower hybrids

At launch, there are three trim levels for the 2023 Crown. A 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, three electric motors, and a new nickel-metal-hydride battery pack power the XLE and Limited. With two motors and an internal combustion engine connected by a planetary gearset that allows for continuous ratio change as it sends power to the front wheels, this is Toyota’s well-known hybrid configuration. The Crown also has a third electric engine, which drives the back wheels to provide all-wheel drive.

According to Toyota, this configuration generates 236 horsepower and achieves a combined 38 mpg. This hybrid vehicle also offers an electric-only (EV) mode that enables short-distance, low-speed travel.

The “Hybrid Max,” a new hybrid system with a 2.4-liter turbocharged inline-four hybrid powertrain and a six-speed automatic transmission, is an addition to the Platinum trim level. It uses a wet multi-plate clutch in place of the typical torque converter between the engine and the gearbox (like Mercedes-AMG does). A more responsive powertrain and more horsepower and torque are provided by an electric motor. A second electric motor, water-cooled and more powerful than the ones in the XLE and Limited, is mounted on the back axle, much like the basic hybrid system.

The gas engine delivers the highest torque between 2000 and 3000 rpm, according to Toyota, while the Hybrid Max system is said to produce 340 horsepower. While the regular hybrid sometimes uses front-wheel drive, the Platinum is constantly in all-wheel drive mode, sending up to 70% of the Crown’s power to the front wheels or up to 80% to the back. Toyota estimates a total fuel efficiency of 28 mpg, which is lower than the XLE and Limited’s ratings.

All Crowns feature strut front and rear suspensions, while the Platinum variant adds adjustable dampers. The Crown also has Active Cornering Assist, which reduces understeer in corners by using stability control. The XLE comes standard with 19-inch alloy wheels, while the Platinum has 21-inch 10-spoke wheels with black accents.

Characteristics of the interior

The Crown’s interior is simple and uncomplicated. A 12.3-inch touchscreen and a digital instrument cluster take up much of the dashboard. Fortunately, there is a row of actual physical buttons behind the screen that may be used to change the basic dual-zone temperature. A wireless charging pad, many USB connections, including two USB-C outlets for the back passengers, as well as other features are available in the Crown. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto have wireless connections, and up to five devices might have a 4G connection thanks to a Wi-Fi subscription service.

Eight-way electrically heated front seats with a fabric and synthetic leather mix are standard on the Crown XLE. In addition to the ventilated leather seats for the front passengers, if you upgrade to the Limited or Platinum, you can get heated rear seats. An optional 11-speaker JBL sound system is also available for the Limited and Platinum. The Limited’s interior comes in both black and chestnut or macadamia, but the XLE’s interior is only offered in black. Our short interaction with a Crown Platinum revealed that it was roomy and comfy, but we were shocked by how many harsh plastics were used inside. Toyota also emphasizes the peaceful interior of the Crown, which has acoustic glass and other sound-absorbing materials. But from the car we could not hear the music playing in the studio.

In addition, the Platinum and Limited models come with a panoramic sunroof, LED accent lighting inside, LED headlights, and rain-sensing wipers. Additionally, the Platinum and Limited’s Advanced Tech packages also provide the option of a bird’s eye view camera. A smart key and dark metallic 21-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels are also included with this option. A two-tone paint job with black paint on the hood and trunk is an additional option for the Platinum.

Pre-collision technology with pedestrian detection, dynamic radar cruise control, lane-departure warning with steering assistance, automatic high lights, and other technologies are standard on all Crowns. The Advanced Park system, which parks the Crown without requiring the driver to touch the pedals or steering wheel, is a feature of the Platinum grade.

The Crown will be on sale this autumn at dealerships; the cost will be revealed closer to the debut date. We anticipate that the XLE will start in the low $40,000s and the Platinum will approach $50,000, despite Toyota’s claims that the Crown is targeted at a more wealthy customer than its predecessor, the Avalon.