Is the 2023 Toyota Crown a Worthy Flagship Sedan? 5 Things We Like, 4 We Don’t

Sedans are disappearing from carmaker portfolios as buyers continue to gravitate toward SUVs for their daily transportation, and full-size sedans are among the most endangered of the species. In an effort to appeal to former sedan buyers, Toyota has joined a few other manufacturers in combining some of the qualities of both a sedan and an SUV in one vehicle that’s harder to categorize. That’s where the 2023 Toyota Crown comes in.

Related: 2023 Toyota Crown Review: Slick New Flagship Sedan Leaves Us a Bit Crownfused

With four doors, a sloping roofline, seating for five and a traditional trunk rather than a hatchback, you’d think the Crown would be considered a replacement for Toyota’s discontinued Avalon flagship four-door — but with its raised ride height, all-wheel drive and more aggressive styling, the car is designed to appeal to buyers seeking some SUV traits in their daily driver.

Regardless of what you or your local Department of Motor Vehicles care to call it, the Crown is not without a certain amount of appeal. Its comfortable ride should appeal to would-be Avalon buyers, while its modern and stylish appearance might help attract a younger crowd. Fuel-efficient hybrid powertrains and AWD add even more appeal.

Cars.com’s own Aaron Bragman recently was introduced to the Crown and came away impressed but confused by this hard-to-classify vehicle. Click the link above to read his complete review, and for a quick look at five things we like about the 2023 Toyota Crown and four things we don’t, read on.

Things We Like

1. A Fresh Look

However you choose to classify the Crown, one thing for certain is that it looks unlike anything else from Toyota. We see that as a good thing. The Crown is unquestionably modern, bold and different, and it turns heads in a good way. If the mission is to attract new buyers, that’s a solid start.

2. Fuel Economy

The Crown is offered with a choice of two fuel-efficient hybrid powertrains. Lower trims get a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors and a continuously variable automatic transmission for a system total of 236 horsepower. Power is adequate, and claimed fuel economy is an estimated 42/41/41 mpg city/highway/combined. That’s solidly respectable for a vehicle this big and heavy, especially with part-time AWD.

3. Hybrid Max

For drivers looking for a bit more punch, top trims get a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder paired with electric power and good for a combined 340 hp. Dubbed Hybrid Max, the powertrain is said to be a “performance hybrid” package and is matched with a six-speed automatic transmission and full-time AWD. Acceleration is quick and smooth, with crisp shifts and no turbo lag thanks to the immediate torque of electric power. Fuel economy is a still-respectable 29/32/30 mpg city/highway/combined.

4. Quality Interior

In Toyota-like fashion, the interior’s quality is a strong suit, with excellent materials and solid construction. The top Platinum trim looks and feels especially good, but even the cloth upholstery in the XLE is impressive. Whichever variant you choose, controls are laid out well, with a combination of physical controls and onscreen buttons.

5. Competitive Pricing

The base XLE is well equipped, comfortable and starts at around $40,000 (prices include destination charges). A loaded Platinum trim will set you back about $53,000. That’s not bad considering the competition and current market.

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Things We Don’t Like

1. Powertrain Noise

The base powertrain is potent enough and frugal with fuel, but it drones under acceleration like many four-cylinder engines paired with a CVT. Worse, a notable chunk of that noise works its way into the cabin, particularly under hard acceleration. Stepping up to a Platinum trim with the more powerful Hybrid Max powertrain quiets things somewhat, but noise levels are still higher than we’d expect for what’s being billed as a flagship.

2. Unfulfilled Performance Promises

The Crown may deliver reasonable acceleration, but handling doesn’t really live up to the promises of its aggressive exterior styling. Its suspension is tuned more for relaxed, comfortable cruising than canyon carving (not that there’s anything wrong with that). But competitors like the Kia Stinger and Nissan Maxima offer better steering feel and flatter cornering.

3. Low Ceiling

One casualty of combining a high seating position with a stylish, coupelike roofline and steeply raked windshield is that it takes a toll on headroom. Taller drivers will likely find their heads brushing against the ceiling, and a fixed panoramic roof on upper trims only makes things worse. The sloping roof limits rear headroom even more, making access and cranial clearance a challenge even for average-sized passengers.

4. Digital Disappointments

Toyota’s Audio Multimedia system uses a 12.3-inch touchscreen, and it’s a big improvement over the automaker’s earlier systems. But a lot of that screen real estate goes to waste, and the newer system still lags behind competitors. The same goes for the digital gauge cluster, which offers some customization options but is dimmer than we’d like and tends to wash out in sunlight.

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