The “Tweener”
When Toyota reintroduced the Crown to the North American market in 2023 it posed a few questions. The most common was: Who is looking for a sedan that isn’t a sedan, or a crossover/SUV that isn’t a crossover/SUV? The Crown, as introduced, is more of a tweener.
The Toyota Crown nameplate has been around since 1955 in Japan. It was the first Toyota model exported to the United States in 1957, where it was sold until 1960. Sixty-three years later and in its 16th generation in Japan, the Crown returned to the United States as a hybrid-powered quasi-crossover or, as Toyota called it, a “lifted sedan.” This is one of two Crown models—this sedan and the Signia SUV. The sedan comes in four trim levels—XLE, Limited, Platinum and the new for 2025 Nightyshade edition we tested.
Hybrid and All-Wheel Drive Standard
The 2025 Crown Nightshade we tested had the hybrid system—a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder and twin electric motors, one each on the front and rear axles, that enable the electronic on-demand all-wheel drive. The total system 236 horsepower and 163 pound-feet of torque get to all four wheels through a continuously variable transmission (CVT). We made 0-60 mph runs in 7.1 seconds, which was fine for freeway merging and passing big rigs. There are four driver-selectable drive modes—Eco, Normal, Sport and Custom.
Toyota’s hybrid system automatically switches between the electric drive mode, combined electric motor and gasoline engine, and gasoline-only engine power. The undetectable and seamless transitions have the Crown Hybrid EPA fuel economy rated at 42 mpg city/41 highway/41 combined. In 226 miles of driving, mostly in the Normal drive mode, on highways in Southern California we averaged 41.4 mpg. Fuel economy numbers reported by Clean Fleet Report are non-scientific and represent the reviewer’s driving experience using the dash gauge computer. Your numbers may differ.
Drive Time
The Crown is an easy-to-drive, comfortable midsize car with a smooth ride. The hybrid engine shines whether it is highway cruising or in-town driving, but there was noticeable noise under stress such as when climbing a hill. The center console-mounted shifter takes a bit of acclimation as it is notchy when going between gears.
The suspension smoothed-out all but the most severe road imperfections and the electric power steering was direct. The Crown isn’t marketed as nor should be considered a sporty car, but it took pushing the tightest corners at too high a speed to test its limits. The 21-inch 225/45 Michelin Primacy Touring all-season tires offered a good compromise between freeway quiet and cornering grip for the 4,350-pound weight.
Braking with the power-assisted front ventilated disc and solid rear disc brakes worked well. The pre-set level of regenerative braking, which converts kinetic energy into electric energy and stores it in the nickel-metal hydride battery, provided a small assist in slowing and stopping. We were hoping the Crown had steering wheel paddles for the driver to manually adjust the regeneration level, which is a convenient feature found on a few competing hybrids. Toyota is the largest seller of hybrid vehicles and it would be helpful to the driver if they were a leader in this feature, too.
Toyota’s term for the 2025 Crown as a “lifted sedan” is technically correct, as they say it has an “elevated ride height.” With 5.8 inches of ground clearance, the Crown does ride a bit higher than the Camry (5.4 inches). So if you are looking for a vehicle with a slightly more commanding outlook on the road, the Crown does have a skosh higher seating.
Lifted Sedan
The Crown follows an all-new design direction for Toyota where sharp edges and massive scoops and grills are replaced with an aerodynamic shape and flowing lines. We particularly liked the nose and tail, especially how they utilized LED lighting for a clean look. The sloping roofline, extending to the tiny spoiler on the deck lid, is one of the features that give the Crown a unique silhouette.
The Nightshade package is new for 2025, offering an appearance that takes the Crown to a different level of opulence. Available in either Black or, in our case, Storm Cloud Gray, the front features quad-LED projector headlights and LED running lights. They sit above the gloss black-trimmed grille that is finished in a gunmetal gray with just a touch of silver trim. The three colors and textures work well together.
The side view, which almost looks like a sport back design, shows-off the multi-spoke 21-inch wheels in matte black, matching the bottom half of the exterior mirrors that have gloss black on the upper part. Gloss black is also on the door handles, window trim, pillars, along the lower doors and on all the badging. The roof has fixed panoramic black-tinted glass and a gloss black shark fin antenna. The rear is smooth with LED lighting, including a strip connecting the lights, and a gloss black accent panel on the upper trunk. The silver trim appears again on the lower rear fascia.
Yes, the Crown has a trunk, even though it has a fastback/hatchback shape. The trunk opening has a high lift-over. Pay attention to what you store in the corners of the trunk as it has hinge arms that swing into the cargo area. The trunk does not include any cubbies or areas to stash small items. Cargo area behind the second row seat is 15.2 cubic feet, or 68.8 with the 60:40 rear seat folded flat.
Welcoming Interior
The Crown Nightshade has power, heated and ventilated front leather seats. The front seats were comfortable and didn’t lead to fatigue when climbing out after a couple hours on the road. The leather-covered heated rear seat comfortably can handle three adults, two for longer trips, and has a fold down center armrest with cup holders.
All trims get a 12.3-inch touchscreen for the 11-speaker JBL premium audio system, which includes a subwoofer. The XLE trim gets the same size touchscreen but the base infotainment system with six speakers.
Entertainment comes via AM/FM HD and SiriusXM radio, wireless Apple Car Play and Android Auto. There is wireless phone charging, and Bluetooth for music streaming and hands-free calling. The voice command feature works very well by saying “Hey, Toyota!” to control various vehicle and entertainment features. There is no head-up display available.
Safety
The Crown is equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 for the advanced driver assistance systems. Active and passive safety features come standard including adaptive cruise control with lane assist, automatic front and rear braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert with steering assist, blind spot monitor with cross traffic alert and sonar clearance, and automatic high beams.
Pricing
The 2025 Toyota Crown comes in four trim levels. These base prices include the $1,395 delivery processing and handling fee.
- XLE $42,835
- Limited $47,345
- Nightshade $50,160
- Platinum $56,385
Warranties
- Hybrid Battery – 10 years/150,000 miles
- Powertrain – Five years/60,000 miles
- Comprehensive – Three years/36,000 miles
- Maintenance Plan – Two years/25,000 miles
- Roadside Assistance – Two years/25,000 miles
- Corrosion Perforation – Five years/Unlimited miles
Observations: 2025 Toyota Crown Nightshade Hybrid
The 2025 Toyota Crown has a unique shape, which Toyota hopes will attract and appeal to a broad range of potential buyers. The shape is not quite a sedan and not quite a crossover/SUV. It is a tweener.
The more time we spent in the Crown, the more we came to appreciate what a nice car it is. The comfortable quiet ride makes the Crown an economical five-passenger, midsize “lifted sedan” that will cover most driving needs, whether it’s commuting, in-town errands or hitting the open road. But who, exactly, is the Crown buyer?
It doesn’t offer the size, utility and all-wheel drive of a midsize SUV that families so desire, but is it almost too roomy and spacious for a single person? Toyota says it is for looking for younger, luxury-oriented buyers looking for fuel efficiency, as it easily returning mid-40 mpg. Every car manufacturer has their own litmus test for luxury, but the Crown is more of a premium car that does not reach the luxury plateau.
The competitive models are sedans like the gasoline Genesis G80, Honda Accord Hybrid, Subaru Legacy and Toyota Camry Hybrid. Comparative midsize SUVs are the Lexus GX, Hyundai Palisade, Honda Passport, Mazda CX-90 and the Kia Telluride. What’s obvious in these competitors is that none match-up apples-to-apples with the Crown.
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Story by John Faulkner. Photos by John Faulkner and Toyota.
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Disclosure
Clean Fleet Report is loaned free test vehicles from automakers to evaluate, typically for a week at a time. Our road tests are based on this one-week drive of a new vehicle. Because of this we don’t address issues such as long-term reliability or total cost of ownership. In addition, we are often invited to manufacturer events highlighting new vehicles or technology. As part of these events we may be offered free transportation, lodging or meals. We do our best to present our unvarnished evaluations of vehicles and news irrespective of these inducements.
Our focus is on vehicles that offer the best fuel economy in their class, which leads us to emphasize electric cars, plug-in hybrids, hybrids and other efficient powertrains. We also feature those efficient gas-powered vehicles that are among the top mpg vehicles in their class. In addition, we aim to offer reviews and news on advanced technology and the alternative fuel vehicle market. We welcome any feedback from vehicle owners and are dedicated to providing a forum for alternative viewpoints. Please let us know your views at [email protected].
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