A luxurious atmosphere
It has a hatchback-like form, but has a separate trunk.
I actually have some emotional attachment to the Crown (after all, I’m from the “someday I’ll own a Crown” generation), so when the crossover was released, I test drove it with high expectations. It’s certainly not a bad car, no, it’s a good car, but it’s true that I felt that the quietness and handling were a little lacking when considering it’s one of Toyota’s leading luxury cars. While the basic design is the same as the crossover, the Sport has an even shorter wheelbase, which means it responds well to steering movements, making it an SUV that, as the name suggests, offers a sporty driving experience. However, the name Crown is a bit off, and I’m not sure if it’s really appropriate.
Next came the sedan. Although it’s called a sedan, its hatchback-like body doesn’t really look like a sedan, but its solid feel gives it quite a luxurious feel. It’s clearly different from previous Crowns, but it’s a stunning design that fully showcases the new Crown.
The sedan is the only one to use the FR platform
The wheel base is 3000mm, so there is plenty of space in the rear.
The wheel base is 3000mm, so there is plenty of space in the rear.
The equipment is excellent, as expected, and the interior finish is also of high quality.
Although it shares the same name, Crown, the sedan’s platform is different from that of the crossover and sports car. Unlike the FF-based sedans and crossovers, the sedan uses an FR-based platform. The driving feel is truly high-quality. The rigidity around the floor is very strong, and despite the large body, the car feels solid as if it were one solid piece.
There are two powertrains: a 2.5-liter hybrid and an FCV (fuel cell). The hybrid has a new four-speed transmission, so the acceleration is not the smoothness that is common with hybrids, but rather crisp and comfortable.
A legitimate successor to the traditional Crown
The hybrid version is equipped with a 185 PS 2.5-liter inline-four engine and a 185 PS motor, mated to a four-speed automatic transmission, while the FCV version has 174 PS.
Since the weight of an FCV is concentrated around the floor, it offers a solid yet smooth ride. The power unit is basically the same as the MIRAI, giving the MIRAI a more refined feel than its solid driving feel. Of course, the quietness is also excellent, making this a car worthy of being called the next generation Crown.
I was convinced that the rightful successor to the legendary Crown would be a sedan. However, while I often see the Crown Crossover and Crown Sport on the streets, I have rarely come across a sedan. Is this simply because there is little demand for sedans, or because they are expensive?
I would recommend this car to anyone who has been a fan of the Crown up until now, as well as anyone who is thinking about buying an imported luxury sedan, to try it out at least once. As long as you can accept the design…
PHOTO/Koichi SHINOHARA
