Toyota Crown is the Luxury Sedan We Want

Not Your Average Large Luxury Sedan

In the US, large luxury sedans have long been seen to be showy, expensive-looking cars that announce your well-to-do status to the world. They mostly possess overstated styling cues and extravagant features that make quite an impression, and they are also exorbitantly priced. But that is not really how the Toyota Crown is defined in Japan. Without a doubt, it is every bit a highly-desirable luxury executive sedan, but it doesn’t try so hard to be noticed. Its exterior styling is classy and sophisticated yet understated. In addition, this car is also one of the most versatile premium executive sedans on the market. It is used as a taxi, police car, family car, and even as a preferred mode of transportation for government officials. In a curious way, however, this versatility does not take anything away from the Crown as concerns its value.

Photo Courtesy of Motor1

Most coveted large luxury sedan in Japan

The Toyota Crown is arguably the most coveted large luxury sedan in production in Japan. Yes, the Toyota Century limousine is also quite dominant, but it largely takes on more stately roles like being the Emperor’s car of choice, so it is in another league altogether. The more mainstream Crown is more comparable to the likes of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and the Lexus GS. Unlike the Century, it is accessible to most people and can even be exported out of Japan.

Photo Courtesy of Jalopnik

>>Join the conversation about the Toyota Crown right here in the forum.

Unapologetic Driving Dynamics

Many automakers today are trying to give their large luxury sedans sharper, sportier handling. Toyota has also complied with this to a certain extent, given the fact that the new 15th-generation Toyota Crown has a new, more athletic TNGA platform that provides improved structural rigidity, a wider stance, and a lower center of gravity. Toyota has also done a great job with this car’s suspension system, thanks to which the car handles responsively and smoothly. However, it remains evident that the Crown is not trying to be a sports sedan like most competing premium sedans. It is confident in what it is – a large, stately executive sedan that shouldn’t have to hurry to get to where it is going. And truth be told, the type of people who are likely to buy the Crown are not looking for adrenaline-pulsing thrills. The Crown’s on-road composure is without compare, its handling is sufficiently sharp, and its steering is easy and light without much feedback, just the way most top executives would want it. 

Photo Courtesy of Motor1

>>Join the conversation about the Toyota Crown right here in the forum.

Isolation from the Outside World

You are also assured of unabashed interior comfort with the new Toyota Crown. This car is built and designed to shut the world away when you enter it. Thanks to its well-honed chassis, its extensively sound-proofed cabin, and its active noise canceling technology, this car’s interior exhibits exceedingly low levels of noise, vibrations, and harshness.  Its refined suspension system also absorbs bumps and other undulations on the road effortlessly and quietly, leaving you to relax and enjoy the ride.

Photo Courtesy of Motor1

>>Join the conversation about the Toyota Crown right here in the forum.

Premium Interior

The new Toyota Crown also offers a sublime interior that may be decked in premium cloth trim, authentic leather trim, or a unique blend of the two materials. The detail and craftsmanship exhibited on the different surfaces is superb. The seats are also large, cushy, and body-contoured for optimal support. In addition, this car offers tons of seating space in both rows. 

Photo Courtesy of Motor1.com

>>Join the conversation about the Toyota Crown right here in the forum.

Potent yet Fuel-efficient Engines

The 15th-generation Toyota Crown also offers sufficiently powerful engines that deliver praiseworthy fuel economy ratings. The base, non-hybrid engine is a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine that makes 245 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Next up is a hybrid engine that pairs a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine with two electric motors. This hybrid powerplant delivers a combined output of 226 hp (166 kW). There is also a more powerful hybrid engine that pairs a 3.5-liter V6 engine with two electric motors, and it delivers a combined output of 359 horsepower. The 226-hp hybrid engine is the most fuel efficient option; Toyota claims that it can deliver 56.4 mpg in combined driving.

Photo Courtesy of Jalopnik

>>Join the conversation about the Toyota Crown right here in the forum.

Connected Services

Another thing that sets the 15th-generation Toyota Crown miles apart from most other large executive sedans is its ‘connected services’. According to Toyota, the new Crown comes equipped with a Data Communication Module (DCM) that is meant to link the car to Toyota’s Controller Area Network (CAN). Through this communication module, Toyota is offering a ‘T-Connect’ concierge service for free for three years from the date of purchase. Through the T-Connect service, you’ll be able to consult with standby operators and make various requests e.g. requests for navigation information, requests for information about hotels or restaurants, etc. Also included in the ‘connected services’ is a HELPNET® emergency assistance service, an e-care vehicle health check service, a LINE My Car Account, and much more.

Given its capability and reasonable price, the Crown might be a great offering for the US market under the Lexus brand. Would you like to see Toyota bring the Crown stateside?

Photo Courtesy of Jalopnik

>>Join the conversation about the Toyota Crown right here in the forum.

For help with your do-it-yourself maintenance and repair project, please visit our how-to section in the forum.