2023 Toyota Crown Review

The 2023 Toyota Crown reigns as Toyota’s flagship, blending luxury, tech, and bold design. Now in its 16th generation, it breaks tradition with a global multi-body lineup—Crossover, Sport, Sedan, and Estate—each delivering premium flair with purpose. The Crown Crossover headlines with two hybrid options: a 236-hp 2.5L hybrid and a punchy 340-hp Hybrid MAX with a turbocharged 2.4L and all-wheel drive. Inside, expect a 12.3" touchscreen, digital cluster, and Toyota Safety Sense 3.0. With striking style, cutting-edge tech, and electrified powertrains, the Crown redefines what a premium Toyota can be.

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Detailed Review

The Toyota Crown sits at the top of Toyota’s passenger car lineup, offering a distinctive blend of luxury, technology, and innovation. Known for its long-standing legacy that began in 1955, the Crown has historically served as Toyota’s flagship sedan. The 2023 model marks the debut of the 16th generation (S230), introducing a new global strategy and a radical departure from traditional sedan design. With this generation, Toyota expanded the Crown into a multi-body-type lineup, offering a Crossover, Sport, Sedan, and Estate—each designed to cater to different customer needs while maintaining the Crown’s premium identity.

Each version of the Crown incorporates Toyota’s latest infotainment and safety systems, including a 12.3-inch touchscreen, digital gauge cluster, and the Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 suite. Across all body types, the 2023 Crown is a showcase of Toyota’s ambition to redefine premium mobility with a unique mix of design, electrification, and versatility.

2023 Toyota Crown Grades

Toyota Crown XLE — The entry-level grade comes with 19-inch alloy wheels, bi-LED projector headlights, a fixed panoramic glass roof, heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 12.3-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto. It features synthetic leather upholstery (SofTex), 8-way power-adjustable front seats, and the Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 suite of advanced driver assistance features.
Toyota Crown Limited — This mid-tier trim builds on the XLE with added luxury features such as 21-inch dark metallic alloy wheels, quad-LED headlights, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a premium JBL 11-speaker sound system, leather-trimmed seating, a digital key system, and a panoramic fixed-glass roof with power sunshade. Ambient interior lighting and a surround-view camera system are also included.
Toyota Crown Platinum — The top-grade variant introduces the performance-focused Hybrid MAX powertrain (340 hp), full-time electronic AWD, and a 6-speed automatic transmission. It includes Adaptive Variable Suspension, unique 21-inch alloy wheels with machined finish, a two-tone exterior paint option, advanced parking assist, and a more dynamic drive profile. Inside, the Platinum adds ventilated rear seats, a head-up display, rain-sensing wipers, and Toyota’s Advanced Park system for semi-autonomous parking assistance.

The 2023 Toyota Crown is available in four distinct body styles:

Crossover: A fastback-like sedan with elevated ride height, blending sedan comfort with SUV-like presence.
Sport: A coupe-inspired compact SUV with a low roofline and dynamic styling.
Sedan: A traditional, chauffeur-style luxury sedan with a long wheelbase and a focus on rear-seat comfort.
Estate: A wagon-crossover hybrid offering spaciousness and practicality.

Interior, Legroom & Space

The 2023 Toyota Crown presents a spacious and modern interior that balances upscale design with comfort and technology. The dashboard features a clean, horizontal layout with a driver-centric design and soft-touch materials throughout. Depending on the trim, the cabin is upholstered in either SofTex-trimmed surfaces or genuine leather, with tasteful metallic and piano black accents enhancing the premium feel.

The cabin is equipped with ambient interior lighting and a quiet ride, helped by sound-insulating glass and noise-reducing materials. Seating for five is standard, with ample legroom in both the front and rear. The elevated ride height and fastback roofline create a unique seating position, although taller passengers may find rear headroom slightly tighter compared to more traditional sedans due to the sloping roof design.

Cabin Storage

The Crown offers a thoughtful range of interior storage spaces for daily use. In the front, it features a large center console with an integrated wireless charging pad, dual cupholders, and spacious door bins. The glovebox is well-sized, and the rear passengers benefit from seatback pockets, door storage, and a center armrest with additional cupholders for added convenience.

Boot Space

The 2023 Toyota Crown provides approximately 430 liters of trunk space, which is competitive for its class but less than a typical SUV or wagon due to its fastback sedan profile. The rear seats fold in a 60/40 split, expanding cargo flexibility for longer items or luggage, making it practical enough for urban commutes, road trips, or weekend shopping runs.

Exterior

The 2023 Toyota Crown introduces a striking new design direction for the nameplate, blending elements of a premium sedan with crossover-inspired styling. Its elevated stance, wide grille, and sleek silhouette distinguish it from traditional three-box sedans. The bold front fascia features slim, bi-LED or quad-LED headlights depending on trim, with a full-width light bar on higher models adding a futuristic touch.

Smooth contours and a fastback-style roofline define the Crown’s side profile. Contrasting black wheel arch moldings and optional 21-inch alloy wheels give it a subtle SUV-like presence, while chrome accents and a fixed panoramic roof elevate its premium appeal. The design intentionally blurs the line between sedan and SUV, giving it a unique niche in the market.

At the rear, the Crown features wraparound LED taillights connected by a continuous light bar, a sharply angled rear window, and an integrated trunk lip spoiler. Dual trapezoidal exhaust outlets and a sculpted lower bumper round out the athletic rear design. The overall aesthetic is sleek and avant-garde, emphasizing Toyota’s effort to make the Crown a head-turner in any setting.

2023 Toyota Crown Safety Features

The 2023 Toyota Crown comes standard with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, the brand’s latest suite of advanced driver assistance technologies. Features include a pre-collision system with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane departure alert with steering assist, full-speed adaptive cruise control, road sign assist, lane tracing assist, and automatic high beams. All trims also include blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, parking sensors, and a rearview camera. Higher trims add a surround-view monitor and Advanced Park for semi-autonomous parking.

2023 Toyota Crown Fuel Consumption

Crown XLE & Limited (2.5L Hybrid AWD) — 17.8 km/l
Crown Platinum (2.4L Turbo Hybrid MAX AWD) — 13.6 km/l

2023 Toyota Crown Acceleration

2.5L Hybrid (XLE, Limited) — 0–100 km/h in approximately 7.6 seconds
2.4L Hybrid MAX (Platinum) — 0–100 km/h in approximately 5.8 seconds

Fuel Tank Capacity: 55-liter fuel tank.

Ground Clearance:5.8 inches (147 mm)

Service and Maintenance
Minor Service — After every 5,000km, requires Air Cleaner, Oil Filter, Engine
Major Service — after every 15,000km, requires Air Cleaner, Oil Filter, Fuel Filter, Plugs, Front Brake Pads, Rear Brake Pads(If available), ATF Oil, Engine Oil, ATF Filter.

Spare Parts and Availability

Service parts for the 2023 Toyota Crown are widely available across most global markets where Toyota has an established dealer and service network. Common maintenance components like oil filters, brake pads, air filters, and wiper blades are affordably priced and easy to source due to parts sharing with other Toyota models. However, some body components—such as the unique LED light bars, frameless glass elements, or two-tone body panels—may be more expensive.

Stability and Handling

The 2023 Toyota Crown delivers a balanced ride that prioritizes comfort without feeling disconnected. Built on the TNGA-K platform, it features a stiff chassis, wide track, and low center of gravity that contribute to confident road manners. The Crown’s elevated ride height gives drivers better visibility, while the multi-link rear suspension helps absorb bumps and maintain stability in corners.

The Hybrid MAX system in the Platinum trim adds sportier handling dynamics, thanks to its more powerful drivetrain, Adaptive Variable Suspension, and electronic all-wheel drive with rear torque bias. Steering is light but accurate, ideal for urban driving and highway cruising. While the Crown isn’t built for aggressive performance like a sport sedan, it excels in smoothness, poise, and long-distance comfort.

Reliability

As a flagship Toyota model, the 2023 Crown benefits from Toyota’s reputation for exceptional reliability. Both hybrid powertrains are based on proven technology found in other high-volume Toyota and Lexus vehicles, offering dependable performance with minimal maintenance. Reports of issues have been minimal, with most concerns limited to early software calibration in infotainment systems—typically resolved through OTA or dealer updates.

Routine maintenance is straightforward, and Toyota’s hybrid systems have a strong track record for longevity. Owners who follow the recommended service intervals can expect years of worry-free driving.

Resale Value: Very Good

Toyota Crown Competitors

Volkswagen Arteon
Lexus ES (shared platform)
Audi A5 Sportback

What We Like About the 2023 Toyota Crown

Bold, unconventional design that blends sedan and crossover
Efficient hybrid powertrains with available high-performance MAX variant
Quiet, comfortable ride and upscale cabin feel
Standard AWD across all trims
Excellent long-term reliability and resale value

What We Don’t

Sloping roof reduces rear headroom
Smaller trunk compared to SUVs or larger sedans

Conclusion

The 2023 Toyota Crown marks a bold reimagining of the premium sedan. With its high-riding stance, fastback silhouette, and efficient hybrid powertrains, it straddles the line between comfort cruiser and style-forward executive transport. It’s not a conventional luxury car or SUV—but that’s exactly what makes it stand out. For drivers seeking reliable performance, hybrid efficiency, and a unique presence on the road, the Crown is a compelling and future-ready alternative.

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