2026 Toyota Crown Model Review
Toyota Crown
Key Features
- Starting at $42,890 MSRP*
- Standard hybrid drivetrain with 2.5-Liter Dynamic Force 4-Cylinder producing a total of 236 horsepower, or optional Hybrid MAX 2.4-Liter inline 4-Cylinder turbocharged Hybrid producing a total of 340 horsepower
- 19-inch multi-spoke machined-finish two-tone alloy wheels with optional 21-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels
- 12.3-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia touchscreen
- Toyota Safety Sense™ 3.0 (TSS 3.0)
- Optional Advanced Park hands-free parking system
- Qi-compatible wireless smartphone charging with full-charge indicator light
- Optional 11-speaker JBL® Premium Audio including subwoofer and amplifier
About the Toyota Crown
The Toyota Crown might not be familiar to most Americans, but the nameplate has a long history stretching back decades in Japan. The Crown arrives in North America as a replacement for the Avalon and it’s every bit as spacious as the car it replaces. It features a much more luxurious interior and a hybrid drivetrain that delivers both impressive fuel economy and serious performance numbers. Styling is a mix of sedan and SUV, with a taller body for an elevated driving position and good headroom along with the ground clearance of a sedan for more planted handling and a lower center of gravity. Its sophisticated hybrid powertrain combined with innovative technology found throughout the cabin makes the Toyota Crown an outstanding alternative to your typical hybrid vehicle.
What the Critics Say
Inside, the Crown’s cabin looks appropriately premium. Drivers who trade in their Avalon sedans are in for an upgrade, especially if they buy a Limited or Platinum model. The driving position is raised from a traditional sedan height to something akin to a compact SUV, which may make the Crown an attractive alternative to full-size sedans that still adhere to a more traditional formula.” — Car & Driver
The extra power is great, but the other chassis tweaks are even better. The Hybrid Max always operates in all-wheel-drive with at least 30% of torque going to the rear wheels all the time, with a maximum of 80% possible. The suspension gets thicker anti-roll bars and, in the case of the Platinum, adaptive shocks. The result is a car that’s actually fairly playful. It’s more neutral, with the rear end coming around with the curve, rather than being dragged ’round it. Body roll is reduced and the ride feels a little firmer, though as it’s adaptive, ride comfort is maintained.” — Autoblog
What’s New for 2026
Just one tiny change has been made to the innovative Toyota Crown for the 2026 model year. Supersonic Red has been replaced by Finish Line Red on the exterior color list this year. Aside from this minor adjustment, the Crown returns unchanged from last year’s variant.
Toyota Crown Features
Bold Styling
In replacing the Avalon, Toyota decided to introduce something different to the segment. The Crown isn’t quite like any of its competitors, and this is obvious from the first second you lay eyes on it. The styling is a mix of sedan and SUV, with touches like exterior LED light bars and two-tone paint options to accentuate the styling features that make the Crown unique. Available Quad-LED projector headlights and 21-inch alloy wheels complete the look. Its elevated ride height provides easy entry and exit along with a more confident driving position that offers greater visibility. Unmistakable from every angle, the Toyota Crown offers a truly unique look and a refreshing alternative to other models in its class.
Hybrid Performance
The Toyota Crown is available in four different trims with two different hybrid drivetrains. For XLE, Limited, and Nightshade trims, power comes from a standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine mated to three electric motors that produce a combined total of 236 horsepower. Meanwhile, the Platinum trim has a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine mated to an electric motor on the rear axle, good for 340 horsepower. All-wheel drive is standard with both drivetrains but only the XLE and Limited have a dedicated EV mode. The XLE /Limited/Nightshade fuel economy is rated at 42 city, 41 highway, and 41 combined**. The Platinum gets 29 city, 32 highway, and 30 combined**. Only the Crown Platinum can go from 0-60 in 5.7 seconds.
Well-Equipped Interior
In the Toyota Crown, you can see an evolution of the Avalon’s interior and the layout will feel familiar to anyone trading in. It’s also much more technology-forward than its predecessor. There is a fully digital 12.3-inch gauge cluster that’s joined together with a second 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, keeping everything close at hand for the driver. There is an available 11-speaker JBL Premium Audio system to go with this and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto can be used wirelessly while your phone sits on the standard Qi-compatible wireless smartphone charger. Heated and ventilated seats are included as standard for maximum comfort while you also have the freedom to opt for heated outboard rear seats to keep everyone warm in chilly weather conditions.
Trims & Specs
XLE
- Starting at $42,890 MSRP*
- Hybrid drivetrain with 2.5-Liter Dynamic Force 4-Cylinder producing a total of 236 horsepower
- 19-in. multi-spoke machined-finish two-tone alloy wheels
- Bi-LED projector low- and high-beam headlights, Automatic High Beams (AHB) and auto on/off
- 12.3-in. Toyota Audio Multimedia, six speakers, with wireless Apple CarPlay® & Android Auto™ compatible
- Toyota Safety Sense™ 3.0 (TSS 3.0)
Limited
- Starting at $47,085 MSRP*
- Available 21-in. 10-spoke dark metallic alloy wheels
- Rain-sensing variable intermittent windshield wipers
- Quad-LED projector low- and high-beam headlights, Automatic High Beams (AHB) and auto on/off
- Panoramic fixed-glass roof with power sunshade
- Qi-compatible wireless smartphone charging with full-charge indicator light
Nightshade
- Starting at $49,900 MSRP*
- Dark badging
- 21-inch 10-spoke wheels with matte-black finish
- Black mirror caps and exterior accents
- Black outside door handles with front door touch-sensor lock/unlock feature
- Overhead console with maplights and Safety Connect® button
Platinum
- Starting at $56,125 MSRP*
- Hybrid MAX 2.4-Liter inline 4-Cylinder turbocharged Hybrid with 340 horsepower
- 21-in. 10-spoke machined-finish alloy wheels with black accents
- Heated and ventilated front seats
- Direct Shift-6AT 6-speed automatic transmission
- 11-speaker JBL® Premium Audio including subwoofer and amplifier
*Base MSRP excludes manufacturer, distributor and dealer options, taxes, title and license and dealer fees and charges. Also includes the Delivery, Processing and Handling of $1,135 for Cars (Corolla, Corolla HV, Corolla HB, GR Corolla, Camry, Prius, Prius Plug-In Hybrid, Toyota Crown, Mirai, GR86, GR Supra), $1,350 for Entry SUV (Corolla Cross, Corolla Cross HV), $1,395 for Small SUV (RAV4, RAV4 HV, RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid, bZ), $1,450 for Mid SUV/Van (4Runner, Venza, Highlander, Highlander HV, Grand Highlander, Grand Highlander HV, Sienna, Land Cruiser, Toyota Crown Signia), $1,495 for Small Pickup (Tacoma), $1,945 for Large Pickup/Large SUV (Tundra, Tundra HV, Sequoia). (Historically, vehicle manufacturers and distributors have charged a separate fee for processing, handling and delivering vehicles to dealerships. Toyota’s charge for these services is called the “Delivery, Processing and Handling” and is based on the value of the processing, handling and delivery services Toyota provides as well as Toyota’s overall pricing structure and may be subject to change at any time. Toyota may make a profit on the Delivery, Processing and Handling.) The Delivery, Processing and Handling in AL, AR, FL, GA, LA, MS, NC, OK, SC and TX may vary. The published prices do not apply to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Dealer price will vary.
* EPA-estimated 42 city/41 highway/41 combined mpg rating for 2026 Toyota Crown XLE, Nightshade Edition and Limited; EPA-estimated 29 city/32 highway/30 combined mpg rating for 2026 Toyota Crown Platinum. Use for comparison purposes only. Your mileage will vary for many reasons, including your vehicle’s condition and how/where you drive. See www.fueleconomy.gov.