Crown Platinum is plush, fuel efficient
What a wonderfully oddball vehicle the Toyota Crown is. Full-size four door sedans might not be totally en vogue, now that we’re firmly in the age of the SUV, but this toptrim Toyota Crown Platinum with its space age lines, bold detailing and two-tone paint treatment is spinning heads wherever I go.
Those big 21-inch wheels are proportionally correct — the closer you get to this high-riding sedan, the bigger it looms. Open the door and you’re greeted with crossover-like hip point and broad squishy American-spec seats delivering a high driving position.
The Crown’s roofline is 10 cm higher than the Camry and from stem to stern is only 2.5 cm shorter than the three-row Highlander SUV.
As soon as I get in this hybrid cocoon, I feel I should be in Phoenix or Florida, heading for the golf course. And I don’t play golf. Or own green pants.
The Crown is the big, comfy sedan, intriguingly redefined by Toyota with all-wheel drive, impressive fuel-efficient hybrid power, and up-to-date tech. It’s a daring piece, and a bold leap from its predecessor, the mild-mannered Avalon sedan.
While the Crown is an unknown nameplate here in North America, it’s been a staple in the Japanese market forever, having been around since 1955.
The Crown has been produced in sedan, wagon, fastback and coupe forms, and this latest take arguably encompasses three of them: sedan, fastback and coupe, with a dash of SUV thrown in, thanks to its standard allwheel drive and jacked up suspension.
Other markets get a Crown that sits closer to the ground.
CONSERVATIVE RIDE
Get past its eccentric epidermis, and the Crown delivers a decidedly conservative drive — a serene and smooth experience that effectively shields its occupants from the stress of the outside world.
Those 21-inch rollers look like they’ll grip the pavement and wreck ride quality in equal measure, but in fact the Crown glides over most crappy road surfaces with near Rolls-royce-esque distain, especially when in Comfort mode where the underpinnings lend just a hint of good ‘ol American float for those keen on automotive nostalgia.
In Normal mode the ride is 90 per cent as cushy but with better body control. Dial up Sport or Sport+ and, well, you’ll still feel like you’re heading to the links with the fellas.
Yes, the steering and adaptive suspension firm up a bit, but this is no sport sedan and it’s better for it — no pretences of Bmw-like athleticism to ruin the vibe.
SURE-FOOTED
The Platinum is remarkably sure footed however, as the full-time all-wheel drive with its water-cooled eaxle rear differential can modulate between a 70:30 and 20:80 frontrear power split, bringing the sensations of a traditional rear-driver into the experience.
The Crown rides on the same TNGA-K platform as found under the Camry, Highlander, and RAV4, although it has been extensively revised.
Up front the Crown uses an independent Macpherson strut front suspension, while a multi-link setup handles duties in the rear.
The Crown is available with two hybrid powertrains. The Limited model (MSRP $51,900) runs with a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated engine mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and three electric motors, together making 236 hp.
Step up to this Platinum trim (MSRP $61,690) and things get more interesting. Its Hybrid Max system combines a 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a sixspeed automatic transmission to an electric motor on the rear axle, making a combined 340 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque.
This bestows the Crown with the kind of smooth, effortless urge that is commensurate with a large and luxurious saloon.
Merging and passing maneuvers are accomplished with little drama, and if you’re into a little stop light action, the Crown will show its bodywide strip of taillights to just about any takers.
STRONG, SEAMLESS HYBRID SYSTEM
At this point in the electrification of the automobile, Toyota is still all-in on hybrid powertrains, and having been at it longer than any other automaker, it knows its stuff.
The Platinum’s Hybrid Max system is strong and seamless, and with a traditional sixspeed automatic transmission, there’s no engine droning to upset the car’s premium aspirations.
Additionally, the Crown’s regenerative braking feels natural and linear, despite working against a not insignificant 1,950 kg curb weight.
There’s a hint of fourcylinder gravel when accelerating hard, but overall the well-insulated cabin and active noise cancellation keep things cathedral quiet.
We’ve come to expect sanctimonious fuel-sip-page from Toyota hybrids, and this tester didn’t disappoint. My week of mixed driving netted 7.8 L/100 km of regular grade fuel — impressive for a speedy, luxury-laden saloon. Official economy numbers for the Platinum from Natural Resources Canada are 8.1 L/100km city, 7.3 city and 7.8 combined.
Go for the Crown Limited with its 236-hp hybrid powertrain, and you’ll be looking at 5.6 L/100km city, 5.7 city and 5.7 combined. Although those heartwarming numbers come with considerably less gusto. No free lunch, as they say.
UPSCALE CABIN
The Crown Platinum’s cabin is nicely upscale but lacks the plush and expensive feel of a Lexus or Genesis. That said, it comes equipped with a generous helping of luxury trappings: perforated supple leather, ventilated/ heated eight-way front seats (two-way lumbar for the driver), heated rear seats, a handy vertical phone charger, navigation and a pretty decent 11-speaker Jbl-branded audio system. We get two 12.3-inch displays — a multi-info gauge cluster for the driver and central touchscreen parked atop the dash.
The infotainment’s menu structure is straightforward, and as a nod to the Crown’s intended audience who might not like poking away at icons and haptic points for basic functions, Toyota has bestowed the Crown’s interior with an array of physical buttons for HVAC control and seat heat/ventilation. There’s also a volume knob, thank you, but I’d also ask for a radio tuning knob.
There’s also the option of using voice control, which leaps to attention when you blurt “Hey Toyota.” It (she?) obediently tuned to requested radio stations, adjusted cabin temperature, and inputted navigation destinations with great accuracy and alacrity. Nice. There’s nothing more frustrating than a voice command system that doesn’t know its Arby’s from a turn in the road.
EXCELLENT HIGHWAY CRUISER
My wife and I pointed the Crown Platinum’s sleek snout towards the Niagara region to pick up a few of our favourite VQA vintages, have lunch at the Red Stone Winery, and snap some pics of this posh two-tone Toyota. As a highway cruiser, the Crown excels. I wouldn’t hesitate to take this car on an extended road trip. It’s a lovely place to spend your driving time.
Sure, it would be nice if this fastback four-door had the hatchback versatility of the Porsche Panamera or Audi A7, but on the plus side the Crown’s trunk is reasonably commodious at 430 litres, and the folding 60-40 split bench allows for the loading of longer items. The lack of a powered trunk lid might be a concern for those expecting all the luxury touches.
The only option on this Crown Platinum tester is its $850 two-tone paint, giving it an as-tested price of $64,533.50 (this includes $1,860 delivery and a few extra fees).
Yep, that’s a lot of money for a fancy Toyota, but this top-trim Crown also comes in less than a Lexus, Genesis or Audi, which to be fair aren’t really comparable to this wacky, roomy, speedy sedan-cum-suv hybrid. Is the Crown cool or weird?
Is Toyota being brave or contentious? I’m going with cool and brave. The Crown Platinum backs it all up with convincing luxury, a plush ride and excellent fuel economy.