The year 2022 marks the return of more model names from the past. One of Toyota’s most important models for this year is the new Toyota Crown. The name dates back to 1955, and while it wasn’t always a global model, it has always been one of Toyota’s more upscale, luxury models. The new 2023 model, however, is quite a bit different than what we are used to seeing, and this can be both, good or bad, depending on your definition of a luxury sedan. More importantly, the Japanese luxury sedan is coming back to the North American market after 50 years of absence.

No longer a rear-wheel drive luxury barge

The 2023 model year marks the sixteenth generation of the Toyota Crown. The previous model was recently discontinued, but one thing that remained the same, for fifteen generations, was the front-engine, rear-wheel-drive platform. Until now. While the outgoing Crown was underpinned by a version of Toyota’s TNGA platform, the 2023 Crown is based on the GA-K platform, which is front-wheel-drive-biased.

The 2023 Toyota Crown will be offered with two hybrid powertrains

The base hybrid powertrain consists of a 2.5-liter, DOHC, inline-four powering the front wheels and two electric motors at the rear. No numbers have been quoted for the base hybrid powertrain, but it is expected to be similar to the one from the Toyota RAV4. If so, we are looking at 218 horsepower (162.5 kilowatts) at 5,700 RPM and 167 pound-feet (227 Nm) at 3,600 to 5,200 RPM. This setup works, exclusively, with an ECVT transmission.

No more V-6

You may be disappointed by the lack of a V-6 option since the 2GR engine is being retired. Instead, the beefier option is the Hybrid Max, which consists of a 2.4-liter turbocharged inline-four engine and two electric motors. The engine is tuned to produce peak torque between 2,000 and 3,000 RPM, with the total system output expected to be around 340 horsepower (250 kilowatts).

Both hybrid powertrains will, for the first time, utilize Toyota’s nickel-metal hydride, bi-polar battery pack. In addition, the range-topping, Platinum trim will get a beefier electric motor in the rear that's also liquid-cooled. It is expected to be the same electric motor, found in Toyota’s BZ4X. It produces 108 horsepower (79 kilowatts) alone. The Hybrid Max setup will be mated to a brand new, six-speed automatic.

The new Crown is now a sedan-crossover

After 15 generations of being a rear-wheel-drive sedan, the 2023 Toyota Crown marks one of the biggest changes for the model. For once, the 2023 Crown now has a fastback rear end. But don't be fooled by the looks. The Crown still features a trunk and not a hatchback since the rear windshield remains fixed. It’s four inches taller than a Toyota Camry and its wheelbase is almost as long as that of a Toyota Avalon. The best thing to compare it is the Honda Crosstour, which was a perfect example of the right car at the wrong time. With that said, the time for a sleek, luxury crossover is just right and the new Toyota Crown might be the sales success, the Honda Grandtour never managed to be.