The Toyota Crown lineup continues its exciting expansion with the debut of the all-new Toyota Crown Sport in Japan. This dynamic vehicle, powered by a responsive hybrid drivetrain, marks the second model in the rejuvenated Crown series. Designed to deliver an engaging and agile driving experience, the Crown Sport doesn’t compromise on the refined comfort that Toyota Crown owners have come to expect.
Visually, the Crown Sport immediately captivates with its striking and modern “hammerhead” front end. The fascia is characterized by sleek, C-shaped headlights that seamlessly merge into the front grille, creating a unified and assertive appearance. While maintaining a clear family connection to the broader Crown range, the Sport distinguishes itself from the higher-riding crossover/sedan variant available in markets like the United States, carving out its own distinct identity.
Front view of the Toyota Crown Sport showcasing its distinctive hammerhead grille and sleek C-shaped headlights.
The rear of the Crown Sport is equally compelling, featuring voluptuous fenders that inject a strong sense of character and dynamism into the vehicle’s profile. Even at a standstill, these design elements convey an impression of motion and athletic prowess. The flowing lines of the pronounced fenders gracefully descend into the side skirts, contributing to a muscular and undeniably athletic stance. Complementing this powerful aesthetic are standard 21-inch wheels that perfectly fill the wheel arches, enhancing the car’s overall visual appeal. Observing the design, subtle hints of high-performance SUV aesthetics, reminiscent of vehicles like the Ferrari Purosangue, can be detected in its sculpted form.
Buyers of the Crown Sport will have a diverse palette of 11 exterior colors to choose from, including six sophisticated monotone options and five striking bi-color combinations, allowing for personalization to individual tastes. In terms of dimensions, the Crown Sport measures 185.8 inches in length, 74.1 inches in width, and 61.6 inches in height, positioning it as a substantial and well-proportioned vehicle.
Initially launched in the Sport Z trim level, the Toyota Crown Sport is powered by a refined 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine. Toyota announces a combined power output of 231 horsepower, coupled with an impressive WLTC-rated fuel economy of 50.1 mpg. While not boasting class-leading horsepower figures, the engine is engineered to provide effortless performance for daily driving and deliver brisk acceleration when needed. Power is efficiently distributed to all four wheels through Toyota’s advanced e-four all-wheel-drive system, ensuring confident handling in various driving conditions.
Delving into the engineering and technology beneath the surface, the Crown Sport exhibits characteristics that might typically be associated with luxury marques like Lexus or even Toyota’s ultra-premium Century line. Underpinning the sporty crossover is Toyota’s highly adaptable TNGA (Toyota New Global Architecture) platform, which has been specifically tuned to achieve an optimal balance between ride comfort and driving excitement. To enhance structural integrity, the body shell benefits from laser screw welding techniques, significantly increasing joint rigidity and contributing to a more solid and responsive feel. Furthermore, the body is meticulously engineered to effectively manage and dissipate external forces, enhancing both safety and handling dynamics.
Standard inclusion of Dynamic Rear Steering in the Crown Sport elevates its driving dynamics further. This technology enhances maneuverability at lower speeds, making city driving and parking easier, while also providing superior stability at higher speeds, particularly on highways and winding roads. The suspension system, featuring a multi-link configuration at the rear, has been meticulously calibrated to achieve a sophisticated blend of road holding and damping force. This finely tuned setup allows drivers to intuitively perceive and react to the vehicle’s positioning and behavior on the road, fostering a more engaging and connected driving experience.
Stepping inside the Crown Sport reveals an interior environment designed for relaxation and premium comfort. Toyota has strategically incorporated sound insulation and sound-absorbing materials throughout the cabin to minimize unwanted noise intrusion. Additionally, the exterior design has been carefully optimized to reduce wind noise as much as possible, contributing to a serene and quiet in-cabin experience. An innovative feature is the “articulating ceiling,” engineered to reflect voices within the cabin, enhancing conversational clarity and ease among occupants.
The interior design mirrors the inviting ambiance of the standard Crown models. The dashboard layout is clean, efficient, and modern, featuring a prominent 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment display positioned above the central air vents for easy access and visibility. Maintaining user-friendliness, Toyota has thoughtfully included physical dials and buttons for the automatic climate control system, allowing for intuitive adjustments. Standard interior features are generous, including an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and a four-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, luxurious leather upholstery, and the comprehensive Toyota Safety Sense suite of advanced driver-assistance systems. Customers can personalize the interior aesthetic by choosing between sophisticated Black or warm Sand Brown interior color schemes.
Pricing for the new Toyota Crown Sport in Japan starts at ¥5,900,000, which is approximately $39,600 at current exchange rates. Intriguingly, this starting price is slightly less than the base price of the standard Crown sedan sold in the United States. Should the Crown Sport make its way to the US market, it is anticipated to command a higher price point, reflecting typical market adjustments and import considerations, as the standard Crown is generally more affordable in Japan compared to its SUV counterpart in the US.
The Toyota Crown family is poised for further expansion, with three additional models slated to join the lineup in the near future. A Crown Sport PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) variant is anticipated to arrive in December, offering enhanced efficiency and electric driving capabilities. The traditionally styled Crown Sedan model is scheduled for introduction in November, coinciding with the market launch of the Crown Sport hybrid at dealerships. Completing the planned expansion for the near term is a Crown wagon variant, also expected to debut before the end of the year, further broadening the appeal and versatility of the Crown lineup. Looking further ahead, rumors are circulating about potential future additions to the Crown family, including stylish coupe and convertible models, suggesting an even more diverse and exciting future for the Toyota Crown brand.
