2023 Toyota Crown Platinum
Class: Midsize Sedan
Shade: Bronze Age/Black
Miles pushed: 160
CG Report Card
Room and ComfortA-
Energy and PerformanceB+
Match and FinishB-
Gasoline EconomyB+
ValueA-
Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus different automobiles in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim stage evaluated, and will not mirror Shopper Information’s impressions of all the mannequin lineup.
Large & Tall Consolation
Large GuyA
Tall GuyB
Large & Tall consolation rankings are for entrance seats solely. “Large” ranking primarily based on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” ranking primarily based on 6’6″-tall male tester.
Drivetrain
Engine Specs340-horsepower 2.4-liter
Engine TypeTurbocharged 4-cylinder hybrid
Transmission 6-speed Computerized
Drive WheelsAWD
Noticed gas financial system: 28.4 mpg
Driving combine: 60% metropolis, 40% freeway
EPA-estimated gas financial system: 29/32/30 (mpg metropolis/freeway/mixed)
Snow Efficiency: N/A
Base value: $52,350 (not together with $1095 vacation spot cost)
Choices on take a look at car: Particular paint ($425), two-tone paint ($550), mud guards ($149)
Value as examined: $53,474
Fast Hits
The good: Roomy and cozy cabin, sporty character
The great: Good gas financial system, simple ingress and egress, long-trim consolation
The not so good: Cabin supplies appear and feel reduce charge
Tom Appel:
As a way to talk about how good the all-new Toyota Crown its, we have to spend a while figuring out precisely what the Crown is. It’s a bit sophisticated. Moreover, there’s the query as to how properly the Crown matches within the showroom house as soon as occupied by Toyota’s wonderful Avalon giant sedan. Right here’s the deal:
The Crown is a sedan—don’t let anybody let you know in any other case. It options 4 doorways and a trunk, and it’s roughly sedan formed. We are saying roughly as a result of the sloped rear roofline and raised experience top give the Crown a crossover-ish look that’s by no means an accident. Word that in Japan and in different Asian markets, the Crown is bought as we see it right here, and as a wagon. We’ll see the latter arrive within the States because the Crown Signia for the 2025 mannequin 12 months.
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As for changing the Avalon in Toyota’s lineup, contemplate this: The Avalon was a sedan in a market the place sedans are on the wane. Plus, Avalon patrons weren’t getting any youthful, and stepping into and out of the low-set Avalon was turning into a chore for mannequin loyalists.
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And whereas Toyota has by no means known as the Crown a direct substitute for the Avalon, it’s priced and sized to be precisely that. And, trying like a sedan, and boasting elevated seat heights, the Crown addresses each points that had develop into a barrier to Avalon gross sales. However, even when the Crown does enchantment to the geriatric set, there’s an ideal deal right here to enchantment to youthful American drivers as properly.
There’s an previous saying within the automotive enterprise, “You possibly can’t promote a younger man an previous man’s automotive.” Taking that to coronary heart, Toyota noticed to it that, although the Crown will possible meet the wants of returning Avalon house owners, it’s something however an previous man’s automotive.
New for 2023, the Crown is little modified for ’24. Minor tweaks for the brand new 12 months embody some up to date inside bits, and expanded availability of the Advance Know-how package deal. The Crown is obtainable in XLE (round $42,000), Restricted ($47,000), and topline Platinum ($54,000) trim ranges. All come customary with AWD and a hybrid powertrain.
The XLE and Restricted make use of a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder 236-horsepower engine mated to a CVT-automatic transmission. The Platinum is powered by Toyota’s “Hybrid Max” turbocharged 2.4-liter engine rated at 340 horsepower and makes use of a 6-speed computerized transmission.
In evaluating the Crown to the outgoing Avalon, we thought a few useful lists would possibly assist make sense of issues. Take a look:
Relative to the Avalon, the Crown is…
Extra enjoyable to drive
Extra gas environment friendly
Simpler to enter and exit
Simpler to see out of
Doubtless higher handing in deep snow
Relative to the Crown, the Avalon is…
Extra inexpensive
Extra spacious within the rear seat
Extra luxuriously appointed
Extra refined (quieter, smoother) beneath the hood
Extra historically a premium automotive
Whereas we’ll miss the Avalon’s easy 3.5-liter V6, the Hybrid Max engine serves up loads of prepared energy, and provides the Crown of sense of sporty vitality the Avalon by no means had. Moreover, on the street, the Crown is surprisingly quiet and easy driving, matching—or practically matching—the dynamic refinement of the Avalon.
The place the Crown shines, particularly in Platinum trim, is in dealing with. Whereas nobody would have ever accused the Avalon of being sporty, the Crown takes corners with shocking athleticism, and feels properly planted on on/off ramps, even when hustled.
The Crown cabin is one thing of a blended bag. We discover the front-row seats particularly snug, and as we’ve famous, stepping into and out of the car is simple. Likewise, we discovered the infotainment methods to be simple sufficient to function, and the massive touchscreen simple to learn, even in direct mild. And, we thank Toyota for together with a correct quantity knob on the dashboard. Additionally, large reward for the super-handy slot-style cellphone charger which each retains the gadget in place and prices it and an honest clip.
As we famous early, the Crown cabin just isn’t the fashionable affair that the Avalon’s was, however the deftly employed two-tone cabin therapy goes a good distance towards protecting up the mid-grade supplies used, and comes off trying reasonably sporty. Likewise, the JBL-brand audio system is solidly high-quality, if not fairly premium stage.
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One annoyance: We did discover the headlight low beams considerably dim in rural driving, and located ourselves utilizing the “highs” for as a lot of our drive as potential. The dearth of sunshine output appeared odd in a contemporary car.
One shock: In usually vigorous driving, our take a look at Crown Platinum averaged 28.4 mpg, and spectacular determine given the ability and AWD. This compares favorably to the 20.9 mpg we noticed within the final V6-powered Avalon evaluated by Shopper Information.
Whereas we mourn the passing of the fashionable and refined Avalon, we totally respect the Crown, and acknowledge its place in a contemporary Toyota lineup. The brand new Crown is each sensible and sporty, and can function an fascinating step-up for buyers seeking to improve from their Camrys and perhaps even RAV4s. And whereas Crown costs common about $2000 greater than the Avalon on a trim-for-trim foundation, the usual AWD and hybrid drivetrains assist justify that premium. Toyota isn’t in search of large gross sales quantity from Crown, which is form of a disgrace, as a result of it’s actually a high-quality experience. And, hopefully now you respect what precisely the Crown is.
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2023 Toyota Crown Gallery
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