Street Lines: 2023 Toyota Crown Limited

When Toyota’s Avalon was introduced as the carmaker’s largest new sedan back in 2004, it was revered for its luxury, size, and value. After personal experience due to my family owning one, it lasted a memorable 230,000 miles with virtually no issues. After almost two decades, this model was discontinued largely due to the popularity of SUVs, but a Toyota sedan comparable to the Avalon called the Crown has arrived in 2023 with an impressive debut. Owners will appreciate its attractive exterior, amenities, a smooth ride, higher seating platform, and stellar fuel economy thanks to the hybrid powertrain. The Crown comes in three trims—XLE, the reviewed Limited, and high-end Platinum. 

Presented in a prominent “Supersonic Red” premium paint, it complements the sedan’s other sporty physical elements, including the contrasting black grille; large, 21-inch, 10-spoked alloy wheels coming in two tones (19-inch is standard); “quad” LED daytime running lights package; rear LED lights extending fully across the rear; and panoramic roof. Overall, Toyota has made a head turner in the sedan market, for sure. 

The XLE and Limited come with a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine teaming with three electric motors and a continuously variable automatic transmission. Although the performance won’t have drivers white knuckling topping out at 236 horsepower, the gas stations will see less visits with a combined 41 miles to the gallon. (For more power, the Platinum boasts a Hybrid Max system, including a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder heart, pushing out 340 horses, which will hopefully be featured in Street Lines soon.)