Toyota Ditches Avalon and Replaces It With Funky, Excessive-Using 2023 Crown

The 2023 Crown shall be obtainable in XLE, Restricted and Platinum grades — all of that are hybrids and have all-wheel drive. The XLE and Restricted are pushed by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that powers the entrance wheels, plus an electrical motor on the rear axle. Toyota is not saying how a lot energy this system produces, however there are a variety of different Toyota and Lexus autos that use this powertrain. Based mostly on the output of those different autos, we count on this model of the Crown to make between 219 and 246 horsepower — and we have overheard Toyota workers mentioning 236 hp within the Crown … The system is matched with a constantly variable computerized transmission, a pairing that, Toyota says, ought to obtain 38 mpg within the EPA’s mixed driving cycle. It is value noting that the outgoing Avalon Hybrid produces 215 hp and achieves 43-44 mpg in mixed driving, in keeping with the EPA.

The Crown Platinum is a very completely different beast. Just like the lately unveiled Lexus RX 500h, the Platinum replaces the naturally aspirated four-cylinder with a turbocharged 2.4-liter unit. The result’s an enormous enhance to energy, with a complete output listed at 340 hp. The transmission additionally switches to a conventional six-speed computerized, and adaptive dampers are added to supply the driving force a selection between sporty and cozy driving traits.

All the Platinum’s efficiency enhancements come at a critical penalty to gas economic system. Toyota estimates this model of the Crown will return 27 mpg in mixed driving — a reasonably unimpressive determine in comparison with different sedans with non-hybrid powertrains. The present Avalon V6, for example, produces a bit much less energy and has a 26 mpg mixed estimate, as does the BMW 540i with its marginally much less potent turbocharged inline-six. On paper, the Crown Platinum’s powertrain appears heavy and overengineered with out a lot profit to the driving force in comparison with different choices.

How’s the Crown’s inside?