As a long-time car enthusiast and reviewer, I was eager to get behind the wheel of the 2023 Toyota Crown, a model replacing the venerable Avalon in Toyota’s lineup. While the Avalon may have faced declining sales, it was a benchmark for comfort and refinement. Could the Crown, with its unique blend of sedan and crossover design elements, truly be a worthy successor? After a week of driving, I have some thoughts.
A Look Inside: Spacious and Well-Appointed
Stepping inside the Crown, I was immediately struck by the spacious cabin. With a 112-inch wheelbase and an overall length of 196 inches, there’s ample room for both front and rear passengers, a characteristic carried over from the Avalon. The interior is well-appointed, with leather and soft-touch materials elevating the ambiance beyond the Camry. The 12-inch touchscreen takes center stage, offering a modern and intuitive user interface.
Performance and Fuel Efficiency: The Hybrid Advantage
My tester came equipped with the standard hybrid powertrain, pairing a 2.5L four-cylinder engine with an electric motor for a combined output of 236 horsepower. While not a rocket ship, it provides adequate power for everyday driving. The real star here is the fuel economy. I consistently averaged an impressive 39.5 MPG, on par with the much smaller and less powerful Corolla Hybrid.
For those seeking more thrills, Toyota offers the Crown with the potent iForce MAX hybrid powertrain, boasting a combined output of 340 horsepower. While I haven’t had the opportunity to test this configuration, the performance figures suggest a more spirited driving experience.
Ride and Handling: Comfort Takes Priority
The Crown prioritizes ride comfort over sporty handling. It glides smoothly over road imperfections, making it an excellent choice for long journeys. However, pushing it through corners reveals its limitations, with noticeable understeer and tire squeal, even at moderate speeds. This is not a car designed for carving canyons, but that’s okay.
Styling and Design: A Matter of Taste
The Crown’s exterior design is polarizing, to say the least. While the raised ride height and fastback roofline aim for a unique blend of sedan and crossover aesthetics, the overall execution falls short. The Avalon, in my opinion, was a much more handsome car.
Pricing and Value: A Tough Sell
Here’s where the Crown falters. Starting at over $40,000 and reaching over $50,000 for the top-of-the-line Platinum trim, it finds itself in a tough spot. While it offers plenty of features and technology, it doesn’t feel significantly more luxurious than the Avalon it replaces, and it faces stiff competition from rivals like the Lexus ES 300h and the Genesis G80.
Conclusion: A Mixed Bag with Potential
The 2023 Toyota Crown is a capable and comfortable sedan with impressive fuel economy, especially in the standard hybrid configuration. However, its polarizing styling, uninspiring driving dynamics, and high price point may make it a tough sell for some buyers. The more powerful iForce MAX version could add some much-needed excitement to the lineup, but it comes at a significant price premium.
Ultimately, while the Crown isn’t a bad car, it’s hard to argue that it’s a significant improvement over the Avalon it replaces.