2023 Toyota Crown Platinum

The Toyota Crown midsize sedan, introduced in 2023, takes the place of the discontinued Avalon in Toyota's lineup. Both have similar dimensions, but the Crown is a much sportier-looking vehicle. It's available in 3 trim levels, all of which are equipped with a hybrid powertrain and all-wheel drive. We tested the top-level Platinum trim, which has a more powerful, turbocharged drivetrain (340 hp) and a 6-speed transmission instead of a CVT. It delivers plenty of power but still gets decent fuel economy—rated by the EPA at 30 mpg in combined driving. The Crown's cabin is roomy, with good headroom and legroom in both rows. The adaptive variable suspension delivers a comfortable ride, and the steering provides good feedback and feel in everyday driving. Toyota's comprehensive Safety Sense 3.0 advanced safety features are standard, including Proactive Driving Assist, which anticipates curves or objects in the road and provides gentle steering and braking adjustments as needed. The cabin features dual-zone climate control with rear vents, heated and ventilated front seats, and heated rear seats. Negative assessments from the ARC staff were relatively few. Opinion was divided on the Crown's exterior design, a high deck limits visibility to the rear, and rear entry is impeded by the Crown's sloping roofline.