The 2024 Toyota Crown Hybrid restores the American pastime of driving for pleasure with up to 41 mpg highway and a cruising range of 600 miles
The 2024 Toyota Crown hybrid has standard all-wheel drive and two choices of gasoline-electric powertrains, with fuel-economy estimates of up to 41 mpg on the highway. Pricing starts at $41,445. (Photography by Mark Maynard)
Jump To Table of Contents
The Reimagined Sedan
Toyota Crown History
2024 Toyota Crown Pricing
Which Crown Fits You?
Ride and Handling
Powertrains and Performance
Interior Function
Safety Features
Why Buy the 2024 Toyota Crown?
Specifications
The 2024 Toyota Crown is one of the most pleasurable hybrid sedans I have driven — and I did not expect to like it. The Crown exterior looked awkward in photos, as if it was built for an EV skateboard platform (think Mustang Mach-E). The design treatment has some SUV influences in the fender overriders and black center swipe along the lower body.
The body styling is fast, like a sport sedan. It has a slightly elevated ride height, standard on-demand all-wheel drive, and expansive trunk-cargo capacity. But do these fundamentals define the Crown as a sport-utility car? A crossover? A hybrid of both? After a couple of hundred miles on a bonding drive, what it is did not matter.
The Crown feels luxurious in a sturdy and durable experience. The premium quality and varied textures of interior materials are not the Toyota of old. Nor are the Crown’s thorough soundproofing and road-smoothing suspension.
Top off the 14.2-gallon tank with 87 octane, queue the Proclaimers’ “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles),” then engage the advanced cruise control and settle in for nearly 600 miles. With care, a driver can expect up to 41 mpg on the highway.
In the Toyota car lineup, Crown takes the slot where the Avalon flagship sedan held court from 1995 until it was discontinued in 2022.
However, Toyota already has at least nine hybrid models in its lineup, including the midsize Camry Hybrid sedan. Two of those gasoline-electric hybrids are plug-ins, and there is one battery electric, the bZ4X. But not one of those electrified Toyotas is anything like the 2024 Crown.
The Crown’s panoramic greenhouse.
The Reimagined Large Sedan
Built on Toyota’s rigid GA-K platform, Crown makes a bold entry with its hammerhead front end, the Kitana-like slice of LED headlights, and an elevated stance 19-inch or 21-inch wheels; Toyota says those 21s are the largest ever on one of its sedans.
It seems risky to re-enter the now-gone mainstream segment of large-midsize sedans, like Toyota’s Avalon and the Acura RDX, Chevrolet Impala, Chrysler 300, Kia 900, or Nissan Maxima. But there is a reason for this graveyard of greats.
With ever-increasing fuel economy and emissions regulations levied on sedans, manufacturers tried to beat the system with harder tires, lower ride heights, and lower rooflines for aerodynamics. The interior width was carved out slightly, but the cabin space felt cramped for the taller American motorist. The low ride height was uncomfortable for entry and exit, and sporty exterior styling often compromised sightlines. The final blow was pricing, sometimes $5,000 to $10,000 more than the midsize sedan in the lineup.
Now, enter the Crown sedan. It has all the elements stripped away from sedans to meet mileage standards. Crown has open sightlines, a higher hip entry point requiring no duck-and-drop, and tall headroom even with the panoramic roof. Switches, window lifts, and climate-control tabs are clearly marked and in easy reach. Better yet, there is no annoying touchscreen display to tap, tap, tap in search of a category. Everything the driver needs is designed for head-up driving.
I grew to like the exterior styling — and several passersby were compelled to praise the Crown’s strong stance and the 21-inch tire and wheel package.
Toyota Crown History
The 2024 Toyota Crown nameplate lacks prestige — or sexiness — in North America, but the model is rich in Toyota history.
According to the Crown page on Wikipedia, the nameplate was introduced in 1955 as the Toyopet Crown. “It holds the distinction of being the longest-running passenger-car nameplate affixed to any Toyota model.”
The Crown is also the seventh longest-running model nameplate in the world after the Mercedes-Benz S-Class (1954), Chevrolet Corvette (1953), Toyota Land Cruiser (1951), Volkswagen Transporter (1950), Ford F-Series (1947), and Chevrolet Suburban (1935).
Here’s another bit of trivia, also from Wikipedia. The Crown nameplate continues a Toyota tradition of naming their sedans “crown” in various languages. There are Crown, Corona, Camry, and Corolla, and there are names for types of crowns, such as Tiara, or other things associated with royalty, like Scepter.
Driver controls are placed for head-up driving.
A New Crown Family
The 2025 Toyota Crown Signia.
There will be a family of Crowns, per Wikipedia, though Toyota PR would not confirm nor deny: “In 2022, Toyota [Japan] unveiled four different Crown models to replace the 15th-generation model. The first model that is available is the Crossover-type Crown, which is also marketed in North America as the sole Crown model.
The remaining three models, Sedan, Sport, and Estate, will be released in 2023 and 2024, respectively, and will be available in hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and fuel cell powertrains depending on the model.”
The Estate will be the upcoming Crown Signia SUV crossover. It is expected to go on sale this summer, 2024.
The leather-wrapped and stitched steering wheel gives a secure handshake to the driver.
Midsize Hybrid Sedan Choices*
- 2024 Honda Accord Hybrid $34,000-$40,000; lithium-ion battery pack; fuel economy 48/47/47 mpg city/highway/combined using recommended 87 octane; total system power 212 hp combined.
- 2024 Toyota Camry Hybrid $30,000-$35,390; lithium-ion battery pack; total system power 208 hp; fuel economy 51/53/52 mpg city/highway/combined, using 87 octane fuel.
- 2024 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid $29,565-$37,715; lithium-ion battery pack; total system power 192 hp; fuel economy 44/51/47 mpg city/highway/combined, using 87 octane fuel.
Search for all hybrid cars at FuelEconomy.gov.
*Retail pricing includes the freight charge.
The 12.3-inch multimedia screen with multiview camera system.
2024 Toyota Crown Pricing
There are three trim levels to the 2024 Toyota Crown, all with standard all-wheel drive. There are two hybrid powertrains, including the 340-hp Hybrid MAX exclusive to the Platinum model.
Crown retail pricing includes the $1,095 freight charge from Aichi, Japan.
XLE $41,445 — no option packages available;
Limited $47,045 — 1 factory option package available;
Platinum $54,465 — no factory option packages available.
There are five paint colors, with three that are optional. Black and Magnetic Gray Metallic are no-cost. Available for $425 are Oxygen White, Heavy Metal (dark gray), and Supersonic Red.
And there are three no-cost interior colors of Black leather, Macadamia leather, and Black with Dark Chestnut Leather.
Find current Crown pricing here.
Check for Toyota Crown special offers here.
Today’s Crown Limited tester was $50,740 with two options: Bi-tone Supersonic Red with black $425, and the Advanced Technology package, $3,570, which adds:
- 21-inch 10-spoke dark metallic alloy wheels
- Panoramic view monitor with perimeter scan
- Digital key compatibility (remote connect trial or subscription required)
- Traffic Jam Assist (Drive connect trial or subscription required)
- Front Cross-Traffic Alert
- Lane Change Assist
Waaay back recline for a road trip rest stop.
Which Crown Fits You?
XLE: Well-equipped with standard features and safety technologies, the XLE has the lightest curb weight and likely will have the highest fuel economy. However, the XLE has no access to factory option packages and has a black interior with fabric upholstery.
Limited: The Crown Limited would be my choice. The hybrid performance is strong throughout the entire power band. The work commuter would also benefit from the Advanced Tech package for its panoramic view monitor and added eyes for front-cross traffic alert and Traffic Jam assistance. The 21-inch wheels also look right and contribute to a strong stance without sacrificing ride quality or noise.
Platinum: Platinum is the loaded crown jewel with its turbocharged powertrain, Adaptive Variable Suspension, and Advanced Park (for automated assist when backing into or parallel parking). I haven’t driven this model — but it should provide thoroughbred performance with 400 foot-pounds of instantly available torque. The Platinum’s only fault could be its lower mileage ratings; it is the heaviest of the trim levels at 4,343 pounds. The standard suspension is so well calibrated for balance and weight control that the real-time damping of the adaptive suspension might be unnecessary.
The Crown Limited has leather-trimmed upholstery and heated and ventilated front seats.
Crown Limited Ride and Handling
It was a good day to head to the backcountry hills of San Diego County for a long drive in the 2024 Toyota Crown Hybrid. Toyota’s Level 2 semi-autonomous drive system is accurate for lane centering without nervous alerts. It is an ideal system for rubbernecking as you tool along.
Toyota injects some secret sauce into the Crown’s steel suspension, with front MacPherson struts, a stabilizer bar, and a multilink rear with a stabilizer bar. This setup performed with luxurious compliance, the great equalizer to bad street surfaces. The Crown can step across speed bumps without a lot of head woggle and dives across intersection dips without a chin scrape. When there was a full-compression bump, the suspension never gave a bottoming-out jolt. Occasionally, I could feel side-to-side heave on unsettled turns. But the overall impression is of remarkable damping control when powering through exit ramps or evasive maneuvers.
Enabling the cornering grip are the 21-inch Michelin Primacy Tour all-season tires. These grand touring tires have a hefty footprint of 8.9 inches and did not spin up cabin noise despite an above-average treadwear (hardness) rating of 540.
Four-wheel disc brakes are appropriately sized for controlled and absolute stopping power. (Towing is not recommended for any Crown model.) Front ventilated rotors are 12.9 inches, and solid rear rotors are 12.5 inches.
Electric power steering tracks steady and is responsive to small inputs but (like most electrified steering systems) lacks road communication with the driver. A 38.8-foot turning circle is manageable in urban parking but is a couple of tenths wider than the Avalon TRD.
21-inch Michelin Primacy Tour all-season tires are quiet rolling with secure traction.
Powertrains and Performance
XLE and Limited trim levels have the standard gasoline-electric Toyota Hybrid System. Front and rear electric motors are integrated with a 2.5-liter Dynamic Force four-cylinder engine; it has 236 horsepower and 163 foot-pounds of torque. The transmission is an electronic continuously variable automatic. EPA-estimated mileage ratings are 42 mpg city, 41 highway, and 41 mpg combined.
Platinum gets the more powerful 340-hp, 2.4-liter turbocharged Hybrid MAX engine with a combined net torque of 400.4 lb.-ft. Its direct-shift transmission is a variant of the eCVT; it adds a launch gear for stronger off-the-line acceleration and then simulates six gear shifts. The Platinum has mileage ratings of 29/32/30 mpg.
Both electrified engines use Toyota’s D-4S direct and port fuel injection. The combination gives a more complete and clean fuel burn to prevent carbon buildup on the intake valves. Here’s a D-4S explainer.
Both Crown powertrains use a nickel-metal hydride battery pack, with power ratings of 230.4 volts and 5.0-amp hours. The Crown hybrid system includes a battery-only EV Mode, which allows driving about a half mile and up to speeds of about 20 mph, depending on the battery pack’s state of charge. With the engine’s stop-start at idle, that means the Crown creeps emissions-free in extended stop-start traffic.
The nickel-metal battery pack has one big advantage over a more densely powered (and expensive) lithium-ion battery: a nickel-metal battery will be less costly to replace should an owner keep their Crown beyond the hybrid battery warranty of 10 years or 150,000 miles. And the Crown should be a keeper.
The standard Toyota Hybrid System with a 2.5-liter Dynamic Force four-cylinder engine.
2 AWD Systems
To boost mileage, the standard hybrid system drives the Crown XLE and Limited in front-wheel drive until slippage occurs. A separate rear-mounted electric motor powers the rear wheels when the electronic on-demand AWD senses traction loss.
The Platinum model has full-time electronic AWD, and its fuel economy shows the drop in range. This new AWD system uses a front-mounted motor and rear eAxle electric motor. Depending on the driving, the system adjusts the power split between 70/30 and 20/80 front to rear. Toyota says this system has the feel of rear-wheel drive.
A functional design to door panel access.
Crown Hybrid Performance
While both Crown engines run on 87 octane or higher, 91-octane fuel boosts performance. On premium fuel, Toyota says its Crown, with the standard hybrid system, will accelerate to 60 mph in 7.6 seconds. The Hybrid Max is capable of 0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds.
The Limited’s electronic continuously variable transmission performs with fluid effort. There is some engine noise on hard acceleration, but it has a deep voice, and the rubber-banding of the eCVT is minimal, and the pickup is quick.
The eCVT has performance modes of Normal, Sport, and Eco. In my test week, I used Eco when on the highway with cruise control and Sport when in traffic to guard the gap to the vehicle ahead. Normal mode was responsive around town and would feel quite potent when pressed hard.
On paper, Crown’s fuel economy ratings are comparable to or a notch above competing small hybrid SUVs — and better than Toyota’s RAV4 Hybrid and its Venza hybrid. But Crown’s curb weight is stout at nearly 4,000 pounds, and with all-wheel drive, I could not finesse the total combined mpg to more than 36.2, according to the display in the 12.3-inch driver info array. Oddly, there was no algorithm to check instant or accumulated mileage besides a graph chart in the multimedia display.
Crown Interior Function
The Crown makes a good first impression. Its stocky steering wheel with stitched leather gives a reassuring handshake. The dual-cockpit front seat space has an appealing design.
The shift console is a fresh presentation with a vertical slot for wireless phone charging. And there is a second vertical phone slot with a pair of charging USBs.
Of course, the console integrates a pair of cup holders, and the well-padded center armrest has deep storage. Door panels have large-bottle capacity.
Toyota says Crown engineers spent countless hours studying and engineering reductions in noise, vibration, and harshness. The materials and placement were optimized to minimize noise in the frequencies that typically interfere with conversation.
Creating such a traffic-calmed cabin included acoustic glass on the front side windows, a dashboard silencer pad, and an engine cover made of acoustic absorbing materials. Noise-minimizing insulation and body sealing material are layered between the engine bay and cabin, under the carpeting, and above the headliner.
Because the cabin is so soundproofed, I noticed the noisy fan AC fan speeds and seat ventilation fans.
The hybrid battery is located beneath the back seat, but seat comfort is not compromised.
Back Seat and Cargo Space
Crown back seat space is more of a 2+2 layout than three across because of the tall and wide exhaust tunnel. Legroom of 38.9 inches is almost an inch and a half shorter than in the Avalon. Rear foot space is tight, too. Consequently, the seating feels more compact than midsize, and passengers will let you know. The center seat is narrow and perched with footroom splayed by the intrusive hump in the floor.
Trunk space of 15.2 cubic feet is slightly smaller than the Avalon’s 16 cu.ft. trunk. But the Crown trunk is wide (41 inches) with a low liftover. Fold the 60/40 back seat for up to 6 ½ feet in length.
Instead of a rinky-dink “tire-inflation system,” the Crown has trunk space for a full-size, 21-inch spare tire.
Crown Safety Features
The Crown’s pyrotechnic charge.
The 2024 Crown is a Top Safety Pick-Plus by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The institute gives top marks of “Good” for the Crown’s crashworthiness in small overlap front, moderate overlap front, and side collisions.
According to the IIHS, the standard front crash prevention system earns superior ratings in daytime and nighttime pedestrian tests. The LED projector headlights on the Limited and Platinum trims earn a good rating, while those that come with the XLE trim are rated acceptable.
Crown has not yet been tested by the National Traffic Safety Administration.
Standard Crown safety features include six air bags, blind spot alerts, lane departure accident-avoidance system, and lane keep assist. Advanced technologies in the standard Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 include a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection and a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert.
Perusing the Toyota Crown owner’s manual, I found this nifty pyrotechnic feature: the “Pop Up Hood.” In the event of a collision with a pedestrian, the Crown packs a pair of pop-up explosive devices to raise the hood a few inches. The system satisfies a European safety regulation to improve pedestrian “survivability” in a low-speed frontal hit.
The pyrotechnic hood system is necessary because of the Crown’s sloping hood. I first saw the pop-up system in the Lexus LC convertible. The system allows a sharp angle to the hood when so many new car designs today have blunt front ends. Two explosive charges are positioned at the hood hinges.
Trunk space of 15.2 cubic feet is expandable for up to 6 ½ feet in length.
A full-size temporary spare fits under the cargo floor.
What A Crown Owner Says
My tax preparer, Mike Hoffman, is the target buyer for the Crown.
“I had a 2020 Avalon TRD I purchased used with 2,500 miles on it through a Dodge dealership in Escondido. Picked it up for a steal at $34,000 because they could not get it sold. I sold it 2 years later for $40,000 because of the high price of used cars [during the Covid pandemic]. [The Avalon] was too low for me.”
He says he loves his Crown Limited, “but to get the good mileage, the sweet spot is between 65 to 70 mph. Also, the map and [connected multimedia] systems require a subscription fee after the first year. I was not told about this until I bought the vehicle. My Avalon’s cabin was very similar in size to the Crown, but the trunk is a little smaller.”
This large-midsize Crown is luxuriously quiet, a road-smoother, and drivers can rubberneck at will when using its semi-autonomous driver-assistance systems
Why Buy the 2024 Toyota Crown?
Electric vehicles are the future of transportation. However, EVs have their own set of problems that owners must process. And for road-trip driving, the poor condition of public charging stations and lengthy charging times blunt the freedom of adventure.
As a gasoline-electric hybrid, the Crown is a super ultra-low emissions vehicle or SULEV. Its energy impact score ranks it 7 out of the top 10 for smog and greenhouse gas emissions.
If the multitude of electronic sensors hold up over time, the Toyota Crown would make a good long-term purchase, with what could be lower maintenance costs.
Toyota jeweled its Crown for a good fit with features, eager horsepower, and quality materials. $51,000, as tested, seemed like all the money for a hybrid sedan until I drove it. And then I said, $51K has value, and I wouldn’t change a thing.
Indeed, there could be renewed interest from drivers who value electronic simplicity, comfort, and fuel-efficiency freedom.
2024 Toyota Crown Limited Specifications
Body style: Midsize 5-seat, 4-door sedan with electronic on-demand all-wheel drive
Engine: 2.5-liter direct-injected, Atkinson cycle Dynamic Force 4-cylinder; 163 lb.-ft. from 3,600-5,200 rpm
Transmission: E-CVT, continuously variable automatic
Fuel economy: 42/41/41 mpg city/hwy/combined; 87 octane or higher
0-60 mph acceleration: 7.6 seconds, using premium fuel
HYBRID DRIVE
Motor: Permanent magnet synchronous; Front 88 kW with 149 lb.-ft. torque; Rear 40 kW with 89 lb.- ft. torque
Power, AWD: 184 hp at 6,000 rpm
Combined system power: 236 hp
Battery: Nickel-metal hydride; 230.4 volts, 5.0 Ah capacity
BY THE NUMBERS
Fuel tank: 14.5 gallons
Trunk space: 15.2 cubic feet
Front head/leg room: 38.2/42.1 inches
Rear head/leg room: 37.5/38.9 inches
Shoulder room: 57.1 inches front, 55.1 in. rear
Length/wheelbase: 196.1/112.2 inches
Curb weight: 3,980 pounds
Turning circle: 38.8 feet
FEATURES
Standard equipment includes: Smart key locking with push-button ignition; full-speed range dynamic radar cruise control; back-up camera with guidance lines; front and rear parking assist tones; 4-door smart key locking; leather-trimmed front seats with seatback pockets; 8-way power adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support; 8-way power-adjustable front seat; heated and ventilated front seats; heated rear seats; heated leather-trimmed tilt/telescopic steering wheel with audio and driver assist controls; 60/40 split fold-down rear seats; leather shift knob; dual-zone automatic climate control system with dust and pollen filter; 12.3-inch multi-information display screen; dual extendable sun visors and illuminated vanity mirrors; Qi-compatible wireless smartphone charging with full-charge indicator light; 4 USB-C charge ports (2 front/two rear); 1 USB-A charge port (front console); 1 12-volt power outlet in front console; LED front and rear reading lights and cargo area light; covered center console, armrest, and storage; auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink universal transceiver;
Safety features include: Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 with pre-collision system and pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert
CHASSIS COMPONENTS
Brakes: power-assisted 4-wheel discs; front ventilated rotors, 12.9 inches; Rear, solid 12.5-inch rotors; electric parking brake
Steering: Electric parallel-type electric power system; 38.8-foot turning circle
Tires and wheels: 21-inch alloy wheels (optional) and 225/45 Michelin Primacy Tour all-season grand touring tire with a 21-inch temporary spare.
Suspension: Front MacPherson struts with stabilizer bar; Rear
multilink with stabilizer bar
PRICING
Base price: $47,045, including $1,095 freight charge; price as tested $51,040
Options on test vehicle: Supersonic Red with black bi-tone paint $425
Advanced Technology package (available on Limited only) $3,570. Package includes:
- 21-inch 10-spoke dark metallic alloy wheels
- Panoramic view monitor with perimeter scan
- Digital key compatibility (remote connect trial or subscription required)
- Traffic Jam Assist (Drive connect trial or subscription required)
- Front Cross-Traffic Alert
- Lane Change Assist
Where assembled: Aichi, Japan
Warranties:
- 3-years/36,000-miles comprehensive;
- 5-years/60,000-miles powertrain;
- 10-years/150,000-miles hybrid battery;
- The complimentary ToyotaCare maintenance plan for 2 years or 25,000 miles covers all normal factory scheduled service and 24/7 roadside assistance.
