The large sedan class has fallen by the wayside as American families have moved en masse into crossovers, and the once-dominant segment now consists of only three entrants — the Toyota Avalon and the Chrysler 300/Dodge Charger twins. And Toyota has already confirmed that the Avalon is kaput after 2022.
The 2023 Crown will be available in XLE, Limited and Platinum grades — all of which are hybrids and feature all-wheel drive. The XLE and Limited are driven by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that powers the front wheels, plus an electric motor at the rear axle. Toyota isn't saying how much power this system produces, but there are a number of other Toyota and Lexus vehicles that use this powertrain. Based on the output of these other vehicles, we expect this version of the Crown to make between 219 and 246 horsepower — and we've overheard Toyota employees mentioning 236 hp in the Crown ... The system is matched with a continuously variable automatic transmission, a pairing that, Toyota says, should achieve 38 mpg in the EPA's combined driving cycle. It's worth noting that the outgoing Avalon Hybrid produces 215 hp and achieves 43-44 mpg in combined driving, according to the EPA.
Step into the Crown's elevated cabin (Toyota says ground clearance is nearly that of a crossover) and you'll see that the Crown's cabin design is much more subdued than its exterior. The driver has a clear view of dual 12.3-inch screens (one for the instrument panel and one for the central touchscreen interface) behind the refreshingly uncomplicated steering wheel. The center stack is similarly utilitarian; Toyota has opted to include a row of climate control buttons rather than bury these functions in a touchscreen menu. It's a little too soon for us to make a definitive comment on the Crown's interior space, but the Avalon that it replaces had plenty of legroom, though rear headroom was surprisingly tight.
Edmunds says
