The sedan segment has been losing ground to the SUV and crossover market for years, as consumers prefer these vehicles' higher seating position, spacious cabins, and versatile utility. However, one of the world's leading automakers, Toyota has not given up on the sedan category. Instead, it has reinvented its flagship sedan, the Toyota Crown, into a hybrid model that combines the best of both worlds: the SUV-inspired design and performance with the sedan's efficiency and technology. The result is the Toyota Crown Sport Hybrid, a new model that debuted in Japan in October 2023.
The Toyota Crown Sport Hybrid is not just a regular hybrid sedan. It is a sporty and rugged sedan that draws inspiration from Toyota's popular SUVs, such as the Toyota RAV4 and the Toyota Grand Highlander. The Crown Sport Hybrid features a raised suspension that gives it a higher ground clearance and a better view of the road. It also has large 18-inch or 19-inch wheels that enhance its stability and traction. The Crown Sport Hybrid also sports black cladding around the wheel arches, lower body, and rear bumper, adding contrast and protection to its body. The Crown Sport Hybrid also boasts a two-tone paint scheme that creates a dynamic and stylish impression. The Crown Sport Hybrid is available in six colors: White Pearl Crystal Shine, Black Mica, Precious Silver Metallic, Emotional Red II, Dark Blue Mica Metallic, and Ice Gray Metallic.
The Toyota Crown Sport Hybrid does not compromise its sedan heritage. It still maintains a sleek and aerodynamic body that reduces wind resistance and improves fuel efficiency. The Crown Sport Hybrid also has a sophisticated and elegant front fascia, with LED headlights, taillights, and daytime running lights that provide excellent visibility and illumination. The Crown Sport Hybrid also has a large grille that expresses its boldness and confidence. The Crown Sport Hybrid also has a rear spoiler that adds a touch of sportiness and improves its aerodynamics.
The interior of the Toyota Crown Sport Hybrid is equally impressive, as it offers abundant luxury, comfort, and technology. The Crown Sport Hybrid can accommodate five passengers comfortably, with ample headroom, legroom, and shoulder room. The seats are upholstered in leather or synthetic leather, depending on the trim level, and offer heating, ventilation, and power adjustment functions. The driver's seat also has a memory function that can store up to three settings for different drivers. The rear seats have a 60/40 split-folding function that can increase the trunk space from 15.9 cubic feet to 40.6 cubic feet for extra cargo.
The 2024 Toyota Crown Sport Hybrid has a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system that supports Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, USB, and wireless charging. The system also integrates with Toyota's SmartDeviceLink (SDL) technology, which allows users to access various apps and services through voice commands or steering wheel controls. For example, users can check the weather, traffic, news, sports scores or even order food using SDL. The Crown Sport Hybrid also has a 10-inch head-up display that projects key information such as speed, navigation, and safety alerts onto the windshield. The Crown Sport Hybrid also offers a premium JBL sound system with 14 speakers and a subwoofer that delivers crisp and clear audio quality.
