Toyota’s flagship – the 2025 Crown

There is no question that the Toyota Crown is something different. Out since 2023 as a replacement for the Avalon, the Crown is larger than the typical sedan and has a sporty SUV-like profile, similar to that of the Subaru Outback. But inside, the Crown leans more to the luxury side, with a Lexus-like cabin. As most see the sedan as a dying breed, Toyota looks to inject new life in the sedan market with the Crown.

With its slightly elevated right height, the Crown walks a fine line between car and SUV, perhaps with the intent to lure in SUV buyers into thinking that a vehicle like the Crown will satisfy their SUV needs. And it just might. The Crown features a sloping roof and a conventional trunk opening, just like a sedan, but out of the pages of an SUV, it features all-wheel drive and sits tall. For those that think the typical sedan is boring, the Crown will have you think otherwise.

The Crown’s drivetrain is another interesting feature. Rather than using Toyota’s ever-so-popular 3.5-liter V6 engine, the Crown is offered with a pair of conventional hybrid powertrains. The entry-level Crown, the XLE, the new-for-2025 Nightshade trim and the Limited use a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with three electric motors and a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) that produces 236 horsepower. The top-of-the-line Platinum model gets an exclusive Hybrid Max powertrain that has a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder and an electric motor on the rear axle for a combined 340 horsepower. The Platinum also benefits from a six-speed automatic transmission and is available with an optional two-tone exterior paint scheme.

The Crown’s distinctive look is complemented by a spacious cabin outfitted with premium features. Toyota is equipping all Crown models with a generous amount of standard driver-assistance systems and infotainment tech. All models come standard with heated, power front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, and ambient interior lighting. Two 12.3-inch displays are also included in the Crown – one being for the infotainment touchscreen which runs both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto software and connect to smartphones via a wireless connection, the other is a digital display for the driver. The Limited adds a panoramic sunroof, leather upholstery, and ventilated front seats, while the Platinum gets those extras plus the more powerful drivetrain.

For 2025, there is a new trim level, Nightshade, which swaps the car’s usual chrome exterior trim bits for black accents.

Pricing for the Crown starts $42,535 for the XLE. The tester arrived as a Crown Platinum decked out in the two-tone paint. It carries an MSRP of $58,169.

With the more powerful drivetrain, the EPA rates the Crown at 30 mpg combined (29 mpg city and 32 mpg highway) – not bad at all for a vehicle this size. The base drivetrain is even better – with a city rating of 42 mpg and highway rating of 41 mpg.

Driving the Crown, the driving position feels more like one out of an SUV. Power from the hybrid powerplant is plentiful and smooth, as it makes its way through the gears then to each wheel. The Crown’s steering is responsive, and the chassis stays mostly composed around turns, but the ride is more focused on comfort. The all-wheel drive system helps the Crown maintain grip, giving the driving confidence when the roads go bad.

One thing I noticed as I drove the Crown was that there are a lot of driving assisted features that some may like, while others may not. One is the automatically braking if it senses a vehicle ahead and when you ease off the gas pedal in traffic. Another is when going into curves, it brakes and adds a little steering input. All these are part of the Toyota Safety Package and can be disabled if the driver finds them a bit obtrusive.

Featured as the flagship of the Toyota brand, the Crown stands out among other sedans, thanks to its unique design. With its powerful drivetrain, hybrid efficiency, balanced ride and an abundance of technology, it has a lot to offer for the car buyer who isn’t entirely ready to leave the sedan market.
– Christopher A. Randazzo

By The Numbers:

2025 Toyota Crown Platinum

Base Price: $54,990.00
Price as Tested: $58,169.00
Layout: front-engine / all-wheel drive
Engine: 2.4 liter turbocharged 4-cylinder and electric motor
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Horsepower: 340 hp combined
Torque: N/A
EPA Fuel Economy: 29 city / 32 highway mpg

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