2023 Toyota Crown Hybrid Sedan

The new 2023 Toyota Crown Hybrid Sedan is sure to be a winner. It offers the comfort of a sedan, the drive-height of a crossover, sporty handling, the fuel economy of a hybrid, and standard AWD – all for a starting price of just under $40,000

There’s a choice of two different hybrid systems, including Toyota’s first-ever hybrid MAX, with a hunky 2.4L Turbo Hybrid engine and 340hp.

Built on Toyota’s GA-K platform (TNGA-K), the all-new Crown has an elevated stance that comes in-part from standard 19-inch or available 21-inch wheels – the largest ever on a Toyota sedan – for a clear view of the road.

All Hybrid and All Wheel Drive

The 2023 Toyota Crown is available in three grades: XLE, Limited and Platinum.

The XLE grade comes equipped with the 2.5-liter Toyota Hybrid System, electronic on-demand All-Wheel Drive, three selectable drive modes, 19-inch alloy wheels, heated and powered woven fabric front seats and the all-new Toyota Multimedia System with 12.3-inch touchscreen and 6 speakers.

The Limited grade adds on  multibeam LED headlights, a fixed panoramic roof, leather seats that are heated and ventilated up front and heated in the rear, 11-speaker JBL Premium audio system, rain sensing windshield wipers and Front and Rear Parking Assist with Automatic Braking (PA w/AB).

There is also an available Advanced Technology package that adds dark metallic 21-inch, 10-spoke alloy wheels, a Panoramic View Monitor and digital key (with a subscription).

The Platinum grade includes everything on XLE and Limited and raises the bar with the Hybrid MAX powertrain, full-time electronic All-Wheel Drive, adaptive variable suspension, six selectable drive modes, advanced park, and unique 21-inch machined 10-spoke alloy wheels with black accents.

All three grades are equipped with Toyota’s new Audio Multimedia System and Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 as standard.

Safety Features and Other Technology

Since Toyota is marketing the 2023 Crown Hybrid as a family car, it’s important that the Rear Seat Reminder comes standard on all models, to help prevent forgetting a child strapped into a car seat.

The feature can note whether a rear door was opened after the vehicle has been turned on, with a reminder message in the instrument cluster after the engine is turned off, accompanied by chimes.

I also love Toyota’s hands-free Advanced Park System, which is standard on the top Platinum grade is Toyota’s Advanced Park System.

Sensors identify an open parking space, then once activated by the driver, the system controls steering, shifting, acceleration and braking for hands-free parallel or reverse/forward perpendicular parking.

All three grades come standard with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 (TSS 3.0), which includes a suite of driver assist features.

The Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection is capable of detecting motorcyclists and guardrails in certain conditions. When making a turn or approaching an intersection, the system is designed to detect certain forward or laterally approaching vehicles and provides audio/visual alerts and automatic braking in certain conditions.

Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) is standard, slowing you down automatically when the vehicle ahead slows down.

Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist is designed to notify the driver via audible and visual alerts and slight steering force if it senses the vehicle is leaving the lane without engaging a turn signal. When DRCC is set and engaged, Lane Tracing Assist uses visible lane markers or a preceding vehicle to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane.

Automatic High Beams are designed to detect preceding or oncoming vehicles and automatically switch between high beam and low beam headlights.

Road Sign Assist is designed to recognize certain road sign information using a forward-facing camera and display it on the multi-information display (MID).

Proactive Driving Assist is a new feature. When operating conditions are met, this system provides gentle braking and/or steering to help support driving tasks such as distance control between your vehicle and a preceding vehicle, pedestrian or bicyclist.

Other standard safety features include Blind Spot Monitor (BSM), which is designed to help detect and warn you of vehicles approaching or positioned in the adjacent lanes, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) for added peace of mind by helping to detect vehicles approaching from either side while backing out and alerting you with a visual and audible warning.

To aid outward visibility, the Platinum grade comes standard with Panoramic View Monitor, which provides a 360-degree overhead view of the vehicle’s surroundings. That feature is available as part of the Advanced Tech Package on the Limited grade.

Hybrid Powertrain Choices

Toyota made “hybrid” synonymous with fuel efficiency more than 20 years ago with the first-generation Prius and has been expanding its hybrid and EV line-up ever since, with 16 models now available.

There are two different hybrid powertrains: Hybrid MAX or the Toyota Hybrid System (THS).

Hybrid MAX is Toyota’s all-new performance hybrid that builds on previous hybrid research puts out a manufacturer estimated 340 horsepower and a 400 lb-ft. of torque and a powerful torque-filled acceleration for a 0-60 time of 5.7 seconds.

Exclusive to the Platinum grade, it pairs front and rear electric motors with a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine and direct shift 6-speed automatic transmission. 

Hybrid MAX produces powerful torque at low RPM for sporty, exhilarating driving and has an EPA-estimated 30 MPG combined city/highway fuel economy rating.

The XLE and Limited grades are equipped with the conventional Toyota hybrid system that pairs front and rear electric motors with a 2.5-liter engine and an EPA-estimated 41 MPG combined city/highway rating.

The XLE and Limited grades come standard with Toyota’s Electronic On-Demand All-Wheel Drive.  The Platinum grade comes with Full-time Electronic All-Wheel Drive, two highly efficient systems that take maximum advantage of the hybrid powertrain’s benefits.

On the Platinum grade, Full-Time Electronic AWD paired with HYBRID MAX delivers power to the front and rear wheels via a front mounted hybrid motor, a rear-mounted, eAxle electric motor. and a  direct shift six-speed automatic transmission.

This new AWD system enhances the drive force of the rear wheels and provides the feel of rear-wheel-drive maneuverability, straight line stability and responsive acceleration.

Built on Toyota’s GA-K platform (TNGA-K), the all-new model  has an elevated stance that comes in-part from standard 19-inch or available 21-inch wheels – the largest ever on a Toyota sedan.  It sits four inches higher than the Toyota Camry.

Performance, Handling, Comfort

The 2023 Toyota Crown Hybrid sedan uses a combination of lightweight, high-strength materials, like a ring frame structure, a combination of plate spot and laser welds on the body, and the use of structural adhesive to support rigidity.

Suspension tuning is optimized to minimize vibration.

Toyota Crown’s handling is bolstered by an electronically controlled brake system featuring Active Cornering Assist (ACA), which engages the stability control to reduce understeer in certain cornering situations, so the driver feels the enhanced agility, not the system’s operation.

There are  standard 8-way power adjustable driver and front passenger seats. Front seat adjustments include slide, recline, tilt, height adjust and lumbar support (driver seat only). Rear seats include ample cushioning and bolster support for maximum enjoyment.

Standard heated front seats that can be adjusted to three levels. Limited and Platinum add standard ventilated front seats and heated rear seats to the list of creature comforts. The seats offer comfort and style, with Softex and black woven fabric seating on the XLE, and leather seats standard on the Limited and Platinum grades.

Dual zone climate control, standard for all grades, is accessed via a thin illuminated control panel that runs along the dashboard, just below the multimedia screen, along with other frequently used functions.

All grades also receive a 12.3-inch color touch screen.  Drivers can select different displays with the push of a button, including a Hybrid System Indicator showing the driver system output and regeneration status to encourage eco-driving habits.

There’s also voice activation for some features, including mapping points of interest.   Google POI data is integrated to ensure up-to-date search capability.

As used on other Toyota hybrid models, the display suggests optimal amounts of acceleration for eco driving.

Toyota Crown Platinum and Limited grades include a standard fixed panoramic moonroof. For added function and ambience, in-cabin LED lighting adds a premium feel. Illumination includes overhead and front/rear footwell lighting, cup holders, USB ports and door handle accents.

There’s a bunch of connectivity for your personal electronic devices.

On the driver’s side, a vertical-type wireless Qi charger with enhanced space efficiency comes standard. There is also a standard USB-Type A and 12V charging port inside the console. A separate dual USB-Type C terminal is also standard on the passenger side. For rear seat passengers, two USB-Type C ports are standard.

Toyota Audio Multimedia allows for simultaneous dual Bluetooth phone connectivity with support for wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ capability. A Wi-Fi Connect subscription offers 4G connectivity for up to five devices.

The standard backup camera features projected path and dynamic gridlines.

With a Remote Connect subscription, a Digital Key is standard on the Platinum grade and available as part of the Advanced Technology package on the Limited grade.

An active Remote Connect subscription allows drivers to access the Digital Key via the Toyota app to unlock the doors and trunk or start the vehicle using a smartphone as a key. The Digital Key also provides the ability to share keys with friends and family.

The 2023 Toyota Crown also offers available ToyotaCare, a complimentary plan covering normal factory-scheduled maintenance, for two years or 25,000 miles, whichever comes first, regardless of mileage.

2023 Toyota Crown Hybrid Pricing

Toyota Crown comes well-equipped at a Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) starting at $39,950 for the XLE grade, $45,550 for the Limited grade and $52,350 for the Platinum grade.

The 2023 Toyota Crown is expected to arrive at Toyota dealerships in early 2023.