The Crown has long been a symbol of the Toyota brand's commitment to quality and innovation, boasting a rich legacy of exceptional performance and sleek design. However, with reports surfacing of the new Crown Sport undergoing public road tests, it’s clear that Toyota has no plans to rest on its laurels.
Instead, Toyota dedicates itself to staying at the forefront of automotive innovation by pushing boundaries with trendsetting concepts and designs that will shape the future. And as the brand seeks to capitalize on the Crown’s prestige and heritage, the potential addition of an SUV variant to the lineup could be just what the doctor ordered. So let’s delve into the future of the Toyota Crown and the role the SUV variant could play in the brand’s lineup.
Unveiling The 16th Generation Crown Series
The 16th generation Crown was unveiled in July 2022, showcasing a range of different body types: Crown Crossover, Crown Sport, Crown Sedan, and Crown Estate. In September, the first in the series, the Crown Crossover, was released, and by March 2023, it became a common sight on the roads. However, details about the sport and estate versions have remained scarce, with only the body sizes and a 2023 release date confirmed.
With the new Crown Sport making its rounds on social media in mid-March 2023, it seems that its release is imminent. Toyota President Akio Toyoda described the upcoming Crown Sport as “a new type of sports SUV with an emotional and creative atmosphere, an easy-to-ride and easy-to-drive package, and an agile and sporty driving experience.” Sporting a vivid red metallic body color with black large-diameter wheels, the Crown Sport bears a striking resemblance to Ferrari’s first SUV, the Purosangue, attracting attention and excitement from car enthusiasts.
Positioning The Crown Sport In Toyota’s Diverse SUV Lineup
As of March 2023, Toyota’s SUV lineup is already extensive, including the Crown Crossover, Rise, Yaris Cross, C-HR, Corolla Cross, Harrier, RAV4, bZ4X, Land Cruiser Prado, and Land Cruiser. So where will the Crown Sport fit in this diverse range of models?
The production version of the new Toyota Crown SUV, referred to as “Sports Type,” stays true to the concept design showcased last year. While the regular Crown sedan is confirmed for the US market, replacing the Avalon, the positioning of the sporty SUV is less clear. It could potentially fit as a mid-sized 5-seater, similar to the Lexus RX, Ford Edge, and Honda Passport, slotting between the RAV-4 and Highlander. On the other hand, the Highlander could be discontinued to make room for this new model and the upcoming Grand Highlander, with the Crown SUV potentially standing out as a hybrid-only option.
Exploring The Crown Sedan And Crown Estate Variants
The sedan version of the Crown, which replaces the classic Crown sedan primarily sold in Japan, will not be available in the US. Interestingly, this fastback design lacks a proper hatchback, opting for a straight fastback with a small trunk opening. On the other hand, the crossover “Estate Type” is envisioned as a wagon rather than an SUV, despite its more prominent appearance. This design also features a minimal grille, similar to the new Lexus RX, suggesting it may not be an EV.
Unfortunately, it is unlikely that the crossover will find a place in the US lineup, particularly with the launch of the new Grand Highlander, which shares similar dimensions. This is a missed opportunity for Toyota, as the Crown crossover arguably boasts a more appealing design than the Grand Highlander.
Toyota Crown’s SUV Potential
The Toyota Crown has a longstanding legacy, and the introduction of an SUV variant could further cement its place in the automaker’s lineup. As Toyota prepares to launch the Crown Sport, anticipation grows for this new sports SUV with a creative and emotional design, offering a unique driving experience.
Toyota’s diverse SUV lineup may position the Crown Sport as a mid-sized, hybrid-only option between the RAV-4 and Highlander. As a result, we expect that Crown Sport will find its niche in the market. Furthermore, although the Crown Sedan and Crown Estate variants serve different market segments, we wonder if Toyota plans to introduce them outside Japan.
The Toyota Crown: A Legacy Reborn
The Toyota Crown has been a name synonymous with prestige and luxury for decades. However, with the addition of an SUV, the Crown brand can finally appeal to a broader audience. Combining the Crown’s reputation for quality and sophistication with the practicality of an SUV is a genius move by Toyota.
As the launch of the Crown Sport approaches, car enthusiasts across the globe are eagerly anticipating the latest addition to the Toyota family. It’s exciting to see Toyota continue to innovate and expand its offerings, and the Crown SUV is a perfect example of this trend. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for Toyota and the Crown SUV.