The Toyota Crown is one of the oldest and most prestigious nameplates in the automotive world. Since its debut in 1955, the Toyota Crown has been synonymous with luxury, quality, and reliability for generations of customers in Japan and other markets. The Crown has also been a favorite vehicle for government officials, corporate executives, and celebrities, earning a reputation as a symbol of status and success.
However, the automotive industry is undergoing a rapid transformation driven by changing customer preferences, environmental regulations, and technological innovations. Sedans are losing their appeal to SUVs and crossovers, which offer more space, versatility, and performance. Hybrid and electric vehicles are becoming more popular and affordable as customers seek to reduce their carbon footprint and fuel costs. And advanced safety and connectivity features are becoming more accessible and desirable as customers expect more convenience and comfort from their vehicles.
To keep up with these trends and challenges, Toyota has taken a bold and innovative step: reinventing the Crown as an SUV that combines luxury, performance, and efficiency. The result is the 2024 Toyota Crown Sport Hybrid, a new model that replaces the traditional sedan body style of the Crown series with a sleek and sporty SUV design. The 2024 Toyota Crown Sport Hybrid is not just a new variant of the Crown but a new chapter for a legendary name.
Design: Refined Elegance Meets Dynamic Sportiness
The 2024 Toyota Crown Sport Hybrid has a distinctive design that reflects the Crown's heritage and identity. The exterior design is inspired by the concept of "refined elegance meets dynamic sportiness," which expresses the balance between sophistication and excitement.
The front fascia features a large grille with a prominent Crown emblem, flanked by sleek LED headlights and daytime running lights. The grille has a mesh pattern that creates a sense of depth and texture. The headlights are sharp and angular, giving the SUV an aggressive look. The bumper has large air intakes that enhance the cooling performance and aerodynamics.
The sleek and dynamic side profile has a sloping roofline and chrome accents. The roofline creates a coupe-like silhouette that adds to the sportiness of the SUV. The chrome accents highlight the window line and door handles, adding a touch of elegance. The fenders are flared to accommodate the large 20-inch alloy wheels with a multi-spoke design.
The rear end is sporty and sophisticated, with LED taillights, a spoiler, and dual exhaust tips. The taillights have a horizontal shape that extends across the tailgate, creating a sense of width and stability. The spoiler enhances the aerodynamics and downforce of the SUV. The exhaust tips have a chrome finish that matches the grille and accents.
The 2024 Toyota Crown Sport Hybrid interior is spacious and luxurious, with high-quality materials and craftsmanship. The cabin is designed to provide comfort and convenience for up to five passengers, with ample headroom, legroom, and cargo space. Depending on the trim level, the seats are upholstered in leather or synthetic leather, with heating, ventilation, and power adjustment functions. The rear seats can be folded down to create more room for luggage or equipment.
The dashboard is dominated by a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system that supports Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, navigation, climate control, and other functions. The system also integrates with Toyota's SmartDeviceLink (SDL), which allows users to access various apps and services through voice commands or gestures. The instrument cluster is a 7-inch digital display that shows various information and settings, such as driving mode, battery level, fuel economy, and safety features.
The 2024 Toyota Crown Sport Hybrid also offers several options to enhance the interior ambiance and functionality, such as ambient lighting, wireless smartphone charger, head-up display (HUD), panoramic view monitor (PVM), digital rearview mirror (DRM), JBL premium audio system with 11 speakers, sunroof, power tailgate, and more.
Performance: Powerful Hybrid Engines with E-Four System
The 2024 Toyota Crown Sport Hybrid offers two powertrain options: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine that produces 240 horsepower (179 kW) and 263 pound-feet (357 Nm) of torque; or a 2.5-liter four-cylinder plug-in hybrid engine that produces 302 horsepower (225 kW) and 354 pound-feet (480 Nm) of torque. Both engines are paired with an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (ECVT) that delivers smooth and responsive performance.
The hybrid engine has an estimated fuel economy of 40 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway (16.9 km/L city / 15.7 km/L highway), while the plug-in hybrid engine has an estimated electric range of 37 miles (60 km) and a combined fuel economy of 94 MPGe (40 km/L). The plug-in hybrid engine can be charged in about 2.5 hours using a 240-volt outlet or in about 4.5 hours using a 120-volt outlet.
Both powertrain options also feature Toyota's E-Four system, which is an electric four-wheel drive system that uses a rear-mounted electric motor to provide additional traction and stability on slippery or uneven surfaces. Depending on the driving conditions and mode, the system can also vary the torque distribution between the front and rear wheels. The SUV has four driving modes to choose from: Normal, Eco, Sport, and EV. Each mode adjusts the throttle response, steering feel, suspension damping, and E-Four settings to suit the driver's preference and situation.