Introduced in July 2022, the sixteenth-generation Toyota Crown is a series of four premium models globally: Crossover, Signia (Estate), Sedan, and Sport, of which Toyota offers the Crossover and Signia in the U.S.
Recently, we had a chance to check out the Toyota Crown Sport in the metal, and here’s our experience with the vehicle.
Design
The Toyota Crown Sport is a compact SUV featuring a dynamic exterior. In line with the brand’s latest design language, it has a hammerhead shark-like face but with a distinctive character.
The daytime running lights are split into two horizontal segments, with the upper section further divided into two elements. Together, the upper and lower DRLs form a C-shaped lighting signature. The low- and high-beam units are housed in a separate module positioned lower in the powerfully sculpted bumper.
The corners of the front bumper feature horizontal flics right below the main lights. The large lower air intake grille carries a diamond-pattern mesh insert. The pronounced hood also reflects the vehicle’s sporting intent.
Striking body curvature, a sleek greenhouse, 21-inch wheels, and flared gloss black fenders are among the key design bits on the sides.
At the rear, the Crown Sport features sleek combination lamps connected by a curvy gloss black trim piece that stretches across the width of the tailgate. Like at the front, the bumper is powerfully sculpted, and the tailgate also has strong character lines.
Interior
Inside, the Toyota Crown Sport has a familiar look, carrying over the design of the other models in the sixteenth-generation Crown series. This means the cabin embodies the ‘island architecture’ design concept in which Toyota says the displays, gear selector, and other key elements are grouped together.
The multi-layered dashboard has a broad profile and seamlessly flows into the front doors. Bronze accents throughout the cabin give the interior a touch of sophistication. The steering wheel, dashboard, and center console incorporate numerous physical controls for essential functions, yet the layout still appears clean and neatly integrated.
Experience in the Toyota Crown Sport
At 5’7″, I had no issues getting in and out of the Toyota Crown Sport. The cabin offers good outward visibility in all directions.
Up front, there’s around six inches of headroom. The seats provide good thigh, shoulder, and back support, while the cushioning feels sufficiently wide for comfort. A slightly longer seat base would have improved thigh support further.
Material quality is decent overall, although the cabin could benefit from more soft-touch surfaces, particularly on the steering wheel’s center pad and the upper door panels. The center armrest storage compartment also feels less refined than the rest of the interior, with its lid lacking a soft-close mechanism.
In the rear, under-thigh support is good, but legroom feels tight. My shoes touched the underside of the front seat, although knee room remained acceptable at around six inches. Headroom measures roughly four inches, and the headrests feel supportive. The rear seat does not feature a recline function.
Rear-seat amenities include two USB Type-C ports, two AC vents, coat hooks, seatback pockets, and a fold-out center armrest with integrated cupholders. Rear passengers can also electrically adjust the front passenger seat’s backrest and cushion using controls mounted on the inner side of the seat.
Specifications
In Japan, the Toyota Crown Sport is available in hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants. The compact SUV measures 185.8 inches in length, 74.0 inches in width, and 61.6 inches (hybrid)/61.8 inches (plug-in hybrid) in height and has a 109.1-inch wheelbase. It offers 6.3 inches (hybrid)/6.1 inches (plug-in hybrid) of ground clearance.
Both variants share the A25A-FXS 2.5-liter Dynamic Force gas engine and have an e-AWD drivetrain layout, enabled by an electric motor on the rear axle. In the hybrid variant, the gas engine develops 184 hp and 163 lb.-ft. of torque.
It is assisted by the 3NM electric motor tuned to produce 118 hp and 149 lb.-ft. of torque at the front and the 4NM electric motor generating 54 hp and 89 lb.-ft. of torque at the rear.
The plug-in hybrid variant uses a 174 hp/162 lb.-ft. version of the A25A-FXS engine. Its electric motor on the front axle is a different unit, internally called ‘5NM’ and producing 180 hp and 199 lb.-ft. of torque. At the rear, it uses the same 4NM electric motor as the hybrid variant, in the same 54 hp/89 lb.-ft. tuning.
The hybrid variant delivers a fuel economy of 50.1 mpg, while the plug-in hybrid variant returns 47.7 mpg, both as per Japan’s WLTC method. However, the latter, with a significantly larger, 14.85 kWh traction battery pack, also allows the vehicle to travel up to 56 miles solely on electric power.
While the hybrid variant can travel up to 728 miles without a refueling stop, the plug-in hybrid offers a total range of 750 miles.
Price
In Japan, the prices of the Toyota Crown Sport start at JPY 5.2 million (approximately USD 33,000) for the hybrid variant and JPY 7.65 million (approximately USD 48,500) for the plug-in hybrid variant. Toyota has indicated no plans to add the Crown Sport to the U.S. lineup.
International Automotive News Editor since 2014, covering global motor shows, industry events, and test-driving various vehicles, with a focus on hybrid and electric cars in recent years.
