Toyota discontinued the Avalon premium sedan in 2022 as sales for the car steadily fell. Now it’s been replaced with the new Crown, which is a much more exciting car that fills that niche with a younger appeal.
Probably the highest point of the new Toyota Crown is its looks. It’s beautiful. No other adjectives really describe it. With a built-in two-tone look, a sleeker style than the outgoing Avalon, and a more youthful feel about it overall, the Crown is exactly what was needed to replace the aging Avalon.
There are two powertrain options for the 2023 Crown, both are hybrid setup and both have all-wheel drive as standard. Which powertrain you get will depend on trim level. The first two of the three trims are the XLE and the Limited. These have a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine coupled with electric motors and a continuously variable transmission (CVT). This combines for 236 horsepower of output and an eye-popping 41 mpg.
Going to the most expensive Platinum model changes that to a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, electric motors, and a six-speed automatic transmission. This drops fuel economy by 11 mpg, but improves performance considerably. Maxing at 340 horsepower.
The Platinum and its souped-up powertrain is a great addition to the Crown for some buyers, but to get to that is considerably more expensive than the other two trim levels and comes at a big fuel economy gouge. Which is why we’d recommend sticking with the two lower packages as a better choice for the new Toyota Crown.
What you receive with a 2023 Crown is a beautiful car with a smart enough powertrain to feel more than adequate in almost every situation. It’s a comfortable and nearly luxurious ride at a good price point.
The interior of the new Crown is as well done as the exterior. It’s easy to get in and out of thanks to the car’s taller stance and the doors swing wide for maximum access. Technology is also good with a 12.3-inch touchscreen as standard equipment and the latest (and much improved) Toyota interface on board. Controls layouts are obvious to most drivers and seating is very good.
Ride comfort is where it’s at with the new Toyota Crown. Other options such as the rear seats folding down to add to the trunk’s cargo space and the simple use of small pockets and cubbies for items inside the car are all in line with Toyota’s reputation for versatility.
Overall, we’re big fans of the new Toyota Crown. Especially as a replacement for the outdated and underselling Avalon. We think that the Crown will be a hit thanks to its great looks and positioning in the premium segment. We enjoyed it as a test drive and are convinced it will win over buyers as well.
This review first published on DriveModeShow.com.
