The 16th generation Toyota Crown is now a sedan with crossover elements with other styles coming.
Not counting the Toyota Century (which is reserved for the Japanese Domestic Market), the Toyota Crown has been the epitome of the Japanese car company’s engineering prowess since the mid 1950s. The Toyota Crown has been marketed around the world to various degrees of success over the last half century. With the popularity of SUVs and the practicality of the Alphard and Vellfire, the Crown has been on the decline over the last few generations. Most people turn to European brands for sedans, and even the Crown has to share the spotlight with its Lexus counterparts.
So for the next generation of the Toyota Crown, the engineers have gone back to the drawing board to reimagine what the nameplate means and how they can make it relevant to more markets in the coming years. To this end, they’re introducing not one but FOUR versions of the next-generation Toyota Crown. The first to be sold will be this, the Toyota Crown in crossover form, melting the lines between sedan and SUV. It’s unclear if Toyota considers this more of a sedan or a crossover. There will be an ACTUAL sedan coming as well as two other ACTUAL crossovers. These are the Crown Sedan Concept, Crown Sport Concept, and Crown Estate Concept. All were previewed together with the new Toyota Crown, but only this model was fully fleshed out.
This new Toyota Crown will be the first ‘sedan’ to come equipped with the company’s Hybrid Max high-performance hybrid system. Hybrid Max combines a 2.4-litre Dynamic Force Turbocharged petrol 4-cylinder with a 6-speed automatic transversely mounted in front and a electric motor at the rear axle. This system has about 340hp+ of total system output while still returning 6.2km per litre combined.
Hybrid Max uses a new high-output bipolar nickel-metal hydride battery. The lower grades will get a less powerful hybrid powertrain with a 2.5-litre non-turbo Dynamic Force petrol 4-cylinder with an eCVT with a less powerful electric motor at the rear. This system features about 231hp of total system output.
The new Toyota Crown will be built on the GA-K platform. This gives it MacPherson-type struts in front and multi-link rear suspension. The front features a new method for fastening the steering gear for better NVH qualities. The rear suspension arm placement has also been redeveloped for a flat driving feel. The Toyota Crown gets Active Cornering Assist, which reduces understeer in certain cornering situations.
As mentioned earlier, it borrows some crossover elements in its overall design philosophy despite still being a 4-door sedan. Toyota added a lot of height to this new Crown, making it 4 inches taller than the current Camry. This makes it easier to get in and out of. The new Crown has an overall length of 4927mm and is 1840mm wide.
The Toyota Crown will come with a 12.3″ touchscreen with the all-new Toyota Multimedia System. 6 speakers come as standard, but an 11-speaker JBL audio system can be optioned. Rim sizes range from 19″ to 21″. Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 is standard. Multibeam LED headlights, a fixed panoramic roof, leather seats, auto wipers, rear auto braking, a 360-degree parking camera, a digital key and adaptive suspension are all available on differing trim levels.
Inside, the Toyota Crown features loads of equipment including power adjustable front seats that are both ventilated and heated. Dual zone auto climate control is available, as is a panoramic moonroof, in-cabin LED ambient lighting, wireless Qi charging, and both USB-A and USB-C ports.
To reduce noise in the cabin, the Crown is fitted with strategically placed insulation material and specially-engineered tyres and wheels. There’s also acoustic glass, body sealing materials throughout, and a sound absorbing pad between the engine bay and cabin.
Will this Toyota Crown sedan make it to Malaysia? We’re not sure, but if UMW Toyota doesn’t bring it, we’re sure the grey market dealers will bring more than one or two cars down.
