[Taboleo] Toyota Sedan with 69 Years of Tradition Returns as a Future-Style CUV

Toyota Crown Crossover Test Drive
Expanded Sedan Platform for SUV-like Openness
New HEV Battery Enables Swift Acceleration
Spacious Trunk Fits Four Golf Bags
Competing Models Include Domestic Sedans Like Grandeur

Toyota launched its first mass-produced passenger car, the Crown, in 1955. The Crown, introduced 69 years ago, was an innovation and a challenge in the global market. While South Korea has the Grandeur as a symbol of success, Japan has the Crown, which symbolizes economic prosperity and technological advancement. Until now, the Crown was only available in the Japanese domestic market. However, starting with the 16th generation released this time, Toyota has expanded its sales to the global market. In fact, the Crown has long had a conservative image in Japan, often referred to as a "boss's car" or "dad's car." But the new Crown targets the global MZ generation with its futuristic design and advanced features. Toyota plans to release the Crown in four different body types: crossover, sports, sedan, and estate (wagon), sequentially.

I test drove the Crown Crossover, the first of the four body types, on the 9th. The test route was a round trip of 150 km from Jeongseon to Gangneung in Gangwon Province. The Crown Crossover is a crossover utility vehicle (CUV) that blends characteristics of a sedan and a sport utility vehicle (SUV). It is based on a sedan platform extended upwards to create an open and spacious feel similar to an SUV. The models I drove were the ▲ 2.4ℓ Dual Boost Hybrid and ▲ 2.5ℓ Hybrid. I will share a comparison of the engine performance and ride comfort of these two models, as well as a comparative analysis with the direct competitor, Hyundai Grandeur Hybrid.

- I am curious about Toyota's hybrid (HEV) engine performance.

▲ First, the 2.4ℓ Dual Boost HEV (hereafter 2.4 model) is a performance-oriented HEV vehicle. Usually, consumers choose HEVs for fuel efficiency and eco-friendliness, so the concept of a performance HEV is somewhat unfamiliar. The 2.4 model is equipped with an inline 4-cylinder gasoline turbo engine and an HEV motor, delivering a total system output of 348 horsepower. This is overwhelmingly powerful compared to the 2.5 model (total output 239 horsepower). When you step on the accelerator, it feels surprisingly lively for an HEV. Acceleration is smooth and deceleration is gentle. Cornering is very stable as well. The vehicle distributes power appropriately between the front and rear wheels depending on the situation to enhance driving performance.

However, the official fuel efficiency is about 12.5 km/ℓ at high speeds, which is somewhat disappointing for an HEV. Drivers who prioritize fuel economy should choose the 2.5ℓ model, which has an official fuel efficiency of 16.6 km/ℓ (highway). In actual driving, even with aggressive driving, it easily achieved fuel efficiency in the high 17 km/ℓ range. If you prioritize driving performance, the 2.4 model is recommended; if fuel economy is more important, go for the 2.5 model.

- I heard a new HEV battery has been installed?

Toyota is the brand most dedicated to HEVs worldwide. This time, they have made a new attempt by installing a Bipolar Nickel Metal Hydride (Bipolar NI-MH) battery. The bipolar type is smaller than conventional batteries. The physical distance between the cathode material and the current collector inside the battery is minimized. Because the path for current flow is shortened, internal resistance decreases, improving battery output. The battery weight is also reduced, which helps fuel efficiency. When strong torque is needed, the battery can increase instantaneous output and actively engage the motor. This means rapid acceleration is possible at will.

- How about safety and convenience features?

The Toyota Crown Crossover is equipped with preventive safety technology called "Toyota Safety Sense (TSS)." It includes various safety features such as emergency braking assist system, dynamic radar cruise control, lane tracing assist, and automatic high beams. Among these, the most impressive was the active driving assist (PDA). The vehicle uses cameras to recognize the driving situation ahead and automatically adjusts the driving speed. For example, if a car suddenly cuts in front, the vehicle slows down on its own without the driver needing to brake. When driving at high speed and a pedestrian is detected crossing the road, the car automatically applies the brakes to avoid getting too close.

- How is the interior and exterior design?

There is a clear effort to break away from the traditional sedan image. While the previous Crown had a conservative and dignified image, the new Crown Crossover has a youthful and sporty look. It blends a sedan with an SUV. The front features a crown-shaped emblem representing the Crown's identity. From the side, the front is sharply elongated and the rear is short, giving a dynamic impression of moving forward. The rear trunk line is raised for easier loading and unloading. The trunk can comfortably fit four golf bags.

The interior is clean and minimalist. As a crossover, the driver's seat offers excellent visibility. A 12.3-inch multi-information display is installed, allowing all information to be viewed at a glance. The navigation system, developed in collaboration with LG Uplus, supports wireless software updates (OTA). Toyota's new cars have often been criticized for their infotainment systems, but the new Crown seems unlikely to receive such complaints.

New Crown Crossover Interior

- What kind of consumers would be a good fit for this car? Are there any drawbacks?

I usually drive the Hyundai Grandeur HEV model, which is a direct competitor to the Toyota Crown. Perhaps because of this, I kept comparing the Grandeur and Crown in my mind while driving. Both models have impeccable driving performance and exterior design. However, the ride comfort and price make me think carefully. The Crown Crossover is priced at 56.7 million KRW for the 2.5 model and 64.8 million KRW for the 2.4 model. This is over 10 million KRW more than the starting price of the Grandeur HEV.

The Crown Crossover is a vehicle with characteristics between a sedan and an SUV, so the ride comfort is also somewhere in the middle. For me, who usually drives a domestic sedan HEV, the ride felt somewhat rough. Vibrations from the road surface and wind noise cannot match those of a sedan. If you choose the CUV for its space utilization, you may have to compromise on ride comfort. Considering it is Toyota's flagship model, the interior materials feel somewhat lacking in luxury. This may be partly because Hyundai has put great effort into the Grandeur's interior, raising Korean consumers' expectations. The absence of features like a power trunk or head-up display (only available on the 2.4 model) may also be a concern for discerning Korean consumers. There is a saying that the true value of Japanese cars is realized the more you drive them, referring to Toyota's reputation for durability. Reviews from actual owners, rather than a few hours of test driving, might be much more favorable.