Used 2023 Toyota Crown

Just when it seems there are no new ideas under the sun, Toyota unveils the Crown, a raised hybrid sedan with AWD. We’ve seen a few high-riding sedans in years past, but none this big, with all-wheel drive, and a hybrid powertrain.

Watch our video review of the Toyota Crown

The Crown name was used on past Toyotas, but who needs a history lesson when there’s a distinctive new car to explore? Perhaps this is the beginning of the end of the SUV craze. Where people realize they don’t need so much interior space and would prefer something with better aerodynamics and is easier on gasoline. Probably not.

Toyota has confirmed that a plug-in hybrid Toyota Crown Prime is on the way.

The Crown effectively replaces the Avalon, which was approaching Lexus in terms of interior quality. This 2023 Crown edges even closer.

As is the current trend, the new Toyota Crown has dual 12.3-inch screens — one for driver information, the other for a new Toyota infotainment system that responds to voice commands and can be summoned by saying: “Hey, Toyota.” Wi-Fi and wireless charging are also available.

The elevated height of the 2023 Crown compared with a typical full-size sedan means the occupants’ hip point is higher, so climbing in and out is a bit easier and more dignified. The sloping roofline imparts something of a coupe-like profile, but impacts rear headroom a bit.

The new Crown full-size sedan is almost 4 inches taller than the familiar Toyota Camry midsize sedan. As far as the nose and tail are concerned, if this is the new direction for Toyota vehicles, we say bring it on.

The standard alloy wheel size for the 2023 Crown is 19 inches. The Limited is available with 21-inch rims, which suit the overall design arguably better. The Platinum has 21s standard.

The Platinum is available in 2-tone color schemes, with the hood, roof, and trunk all in black, paired to either Oxygen White, Heavy Metal (a kind of dark silver), Supersonic Red, or Bronze Age.

12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen
This focal point of a new user-friendly infotainment system is standard across the 2023 Crown lineup.

12.3-inch digital driver’s display
A complement to the infotainment screen, this standard feature can be configured to show various types of information, including navigation directions. It also has a special hybrid mode to help drivers achieve optimum fuel efficiency.

Heated front seats
These are standard across the Crown lineup and come with power adjustment as well. The Limited and Platinum trims add ventilation and leather seating surfaces.

Fixed panoramic roof
Adding some airiness to the cabin, this panoramic roof becomes standard at the Limited trim level.

JBL audio
Coming in at the Limited trim, this 11-speaker system is supplied by a company with a rich reputation in the sound reproduction world.

Advanced Park
A standard feature in the Limited model, this is a self-parking function for parallel or perpendicular spaces.

The first two trims of the 2023 Crown — XLE and Limited — employ a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine and two electric motors. The electric motors take their energy from a nickel-metal hydride battery pack. One of them powers the rear wheels. Every new Toyota Crown has this electronic form of AWD as standard.

We expect this new 2023 Toyota Crown to produce around 240 horsepower. Toyota estimates that it will average about 38 mpg.

The second gasoline/electric drivetrain in the 2023 Crown — exclusive to the top Platinum trim — is the Hybrid Max, which puts more of an emphasis on muscle than fuel economy. The engine here is a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder unit. Along with its electric motors, output is 340 horsepower.

Toyota never quotes torque figures for its hybrids but says maximum thrust is achieved between 2,000 and 3,000 rpm. Average fuel economy of the Crown Platinum is expected to be more like 28 mpg.

Toyota has confirmed that a plug-in hybrid variant of the Crown is coming to the U.S. market. We know very little about it so far, but we think its powertrain will be similar to the Toyota RAV4 Prime; a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine mated to two electric motors.

Toyota Crown XLE and Limited
2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine
Two electric motors
All-wheel drive
236 total system horsepower
EPA combined fuel economy: 41 mpg (42 city, 41 highway)

Toyota Crown Platinum
2.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine
Two electric motors
All-wheel drive
340 combined horsepower
EPA combined fuel economy: 30 mpg (29 city, 32 highway)

3-year/36,000-mile Warranty

The 2023 Toyota Crown is covered by Toyota’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty, which covers just about everything beyond normal wear and maintenance items. The powertrain is protected for 5 years with no mileage limit. Hybrid components are covered for 8 years or 100,000 miles, and the battery is covered for 10 years or 150,000 miles. In addition, all factory-scheduled maintenance is covered for two years or 25,000 miles.