Tall car? Low crossover? Toyota Crown is a win/win

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I’m not quite sure what to call the Toyota Crown – tall car or a low crossover?

The roofline is 10-cm higher than a Camry, but 19-cm lower than a Highlander. As the replacement for the Avalon, it is car-like. But the odd shape and height move it toward the crossover side of the line.

It is built on the same TNGA-K platform used for the Camry and Highlander. It comes in two trim levels, with two different hybrid powertrains, both with all-wheel-drive.

As for the name? Crown has been used by Toyota as its top-end sedan since 1955. I first rode in a Toyota Crown more than four decades ago. The Toyota Crown was exported to Canada between 1964 and 1973.

Car or crossover? The added height of the Toyota Crown makes it easier to get in and out of and provides an improved view.

The ride and handling are more car than crossover. The hybrid, all-wheel drive powertrain sips fuel like a car, but provides the all-season grip expected of crossovers. After spending a week with the Crown, in Platinum trim, I got past the question of categorizing it. The bottom line is that it feels and drives very much like a car, but a tall one.

The Toyota Crown is a spacious and comfortable vehicle that, in Platinum guise, could well serve as a luxury car worthy of a Lexus badge.

Check out artist Michael Doyle’s vision of the 2024 Toyota Crown here.

What moves the Toyota Crown?

There are two versions. The $54,971 Crown Limited has a normally-aspirated 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission and electric motors at both front and rear axles with a combined output of 236 – horsepower and 163 lb. ft. of torque.

The $64,671 Crown Platinum utilizes a turbocharged 2.4-litre engine that produces 264-horsepower and 332 lb. ft. of torque all on its own. Add the electric motors and output jumps to a hefty 340-horsepower and 400 lb. ft. of torque. In place of the CVT, it uses a conventional six-speed automatic transmission. Both models use the electric motor at the rear to provide all-wheel-drive.

The Crown Limited hybrid is fuel-economy oriented while the Platinum tips the scale toward the performance side.

Because it does not have to rely on the electric motors as much for gumption, the Platinum model offers better fuel mileage on the highway than in the city. NRC says the Crown Platinum will use 8.1 litres of unleaded regular for every 100 km in the city, but 7.3 on the highway.

Despite my less-than frugal driving style, I easily beat the NRC numbers – during winter driving!

The driver can choose from normal, comfort or sport drive modes for the adaptive suspension. The system will retrun to normal every time you turn off the ignition. That is a wise decision, comfort is too soft and Sport firms up the steering but emphasizes the low profile of the 21-inch tires.

Toyota, as the world’s leader in hybridization, has this electrification thing nailed.

The Platinum’s hybrid drivetrain nears perfection. Thanks to the traditional automatic transmission, there is no droning engine to put up with under acceleration. The regenerative braking system is seamless without the grabbing common with other systems. A combination of active noise cancellation and effective insulation result in a limo-like lack of road or wind noise.

Occupants are treated to a leather-lined cocoon that provides an excellent and supremely quiet ride. The front buckets are wide, supportive and, thanks to a vast array of settings, can accommodate all sizes and shapes.

The driver, sitting up nice and high, faces a modern, but conservatively styled array of information with all controls where you expect. In addition to the expected voice and touch controls, there are actual buttons for major HVAC and audio system controls.

The rear seats continue the upscale impression. This is a vehicle in which four full-size adults could spend a considerable amount of time. Long trips would be a breeze.

The Toyota Crown offers luxury car/crossover comfort, and luxury at a lower price point. Combine that with excellent fuel economy and impressive performance and you have a win/win combination.

FACTS & FIGURES – 2024 Toyota Crown Platinum Hybrid

PRICE

Base: $64,671

As tested: $66,920 including freight

SAFETY

Full-speed radar cruise control, Front Cross Traffic Alert (FCTA), Traffic Jam Assist, Lane Change Assist, Intuitive Parking Assist with Auto Braking, auto-levelling LED headlights with automatic high beams, Blind Spot Monitoring with Safe Exit Alert, Pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, auto-levelling LED headlights, blind spot monitor, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, cross traffic alert, rear parking aid

INFOTAINMENT

11-speaker JBL Clari-Fi system, 31-cm screen, five USB charging ports

STANDARD EQUIPMENT

Wireless charger, digital key, 21-in alloy wheels, power heated mirrors with puddle lights, panoramic fixed glass sunroof, ventilated seats, heated front and rear leather seats, driver seat memory system, eight-way power driver and passenger seats with two-way adjustable lumbar support, dual zone automatic climate control, heated steering wheel

SIGNIFICANT OPTIONS

Premium platinum paint, $255

MECHANICAL

Turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder, 340 horsepower, 400 lb.-ft. of torque, regular fuel. Six-speed automatic transmission. AWD, NRCan rating (litres/100km city/highway): 5.6/5.7

DIMENSIONS

Length, 4,980; mm; width, 1,849 mm; wheelbase, 2,850 mm; weight, 1,970 kg