Toyota Crown vs Toyota Camry Hybrid

The 2023 Toyota Crown was a full-size sedan that comfortably seated five passengers. It shared a similar footprint with the discontinued Toyota Avalon but stood out with a ride height 10 centimetres higher, giving it a unique presence on the road. The Crown's design was more universally appealing compared to the Honda Accord Crosstour or AMC Eagle crossover. Its front featured a large grille, mostly for aesthetics, with a narrow slit above for actual air intake, flanked by angular wraparound headlights. The side profile was enhanced by large wheels and a black trim piece along the doors, with the XLE trim sporting 19-inch alloy wheels and the Platinum grade boasting 21-inch wheels. The rear was rounded with a bold taillight strip, and the Platinum trim offered a two-tone colour option that added a daring touch to its appearance.

Inside, the Crown was modern, featuring a digital instrument panel and a large horizontal touchscreen. Below it, physical buttons for climate control with retro LED displays added a nostalgic touch. The cabin combined hard plastics with cushioned touchpoints, giving it a fancier Toyota feel. While the interior could have benefited from improved surface graining, it still managed to present itself as a near-luxury vehicle. The Crown's interior was designed for comfort, with a mix of sturdy materials and thoughtful design elements.

The 2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid, six years into its eighth generation, had styling that had grown on many, especially with the new Reservoir Blue paint and the Nightshade Edition's matte-bronze 19-inch alloy wheels. The Nightshade Edition, available only with SE trim, offered a choice between a standard 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with AWD or a hybrid with FWD. It featured black-trimmed headlights and taillights, a TRD mesh grille, and black accents, available in Reservoir Blue, White, or Midnight Black. The interior retained the SE-spec design, which had been consistent for over half a decade. While Toyota claimed impeccable fit and finish, the interior plastics appeared cheap, and the trunk and doors produced rattling noises, contributing to a less substantial feel.

In Canada, the Camry Hybrid started at just over $35,000, with top-level trims reaching closer to $44,000. The Camry SE Hybrid Nightshade Edition, tested in US specification, had an MSRP of $40,785. Despite some shortcomings, the Camry Hybrid offered a cost-effective option with its hybrid powertrain, providing a balance between performance and fuel efficiency.

The 2023 Toyota Crown offered two hybrid powertrains in Canada, available in XLE and Platinum trims. The base powertrain combined a 2.5-litre four-cylinder gasoline engine with a hybrid electric motor/generator, producing 236 horsepower. It featured a nickel-metal hydride battery pack and an additional electric motor for on-demand AWD. The Platinum trim offered the Hybrid Max powertrain, upgrading to a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine and a more powerful rear electric motor, delivering 340 horsepower. The base hybrid used a CVT, while the Hybrid Max had a six-speed automatic transmission, providing full-time AWD with a minimum of 30% power to the rear wheels. The base hybrid accelerated to 100 km/h in approximately 7.8 seconds, while the Hybrid Max achieved it in 5.9 seconds. The Crown's ride quality prioritized comfort, with the Platinum trim adding an adaptive suspension and Sport+ drive mode. Despite some engine noise, the cabin remained quiet, and the Crown offered a pleasant driving experience.

The 2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid provided three powertrain options, with the most popular being the 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing between 202 and 206 horsepower, depending on the trim and drivetrain. A 301-hp 3.5-litre V6 was available in XLE, XSE, and TRD trims, but only with FWD. The Camry Hybrid used a 2.5-litre Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine, an electric motor, and a lithium-ion battery pack, delivering 208 horsepower. It simulated a CVT with six programmed ratios and offered Normal, Eco, EV, and Sport driving modes. The Camry Hybrid's fuel economy was disappointing, averaging 7.0 L/100 km, despite a rating of 4.9 L/100 km. The hybrid system provided quick acceleration, and the regenerative braking system offered better-than-expected pedal feel. The Camry Hybrid SE Nightshade featured sport suspension tuning, delivering predictable handling and good grip. However, the stability control was sensitive, especially in S-curves. While the Camry Hybrid offered an entertaining drive, maximizing fuel efficiency required careful driving.

The 2023 Toyota Crown's base XLE trim featured fabric seat upholstery with SofTex faux-leather trim, while the Platinum trim offered full leather coverings. The front seats were comfortable for long trips, though firm cushioning could cause discomfort over time. The driver's view was largely unobstructed, with a slightly elevated ride height providing a better view of the road. The cabin offered adequate storage space, with large cupholders, door pockets, and a centre console armrest bin. The rear seats provided ample legroom and adequate headroom, despite the tapering roofline. The Crown had a traditional trunk with a capacity of 360 litres, smaller than competitors like the Kia Stinger and Volkswagen Arteon, but still practical for everyday use.

The 2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid was crafted with durable materials and a straightforward layout. It featured keyless entry, push-button start, and dual-zone automatic climate control as standard. Depending on the version, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a power moonroof were available. The front seats offered eight-way power adjustment for the driver and manual adjustment for the passenger, with a manual height adjuster for added comfort. The Camry's low ride height was offset by height-adjustable front seats for easier access. The rear seats were comfortable but lacked roominess compared to competitors like the Honda Accord. The Camry's trunk offered 428 litres of space, accommodating full-size suitcases on their sides, though it lacked a handle for closing the lid.

The 2023 Toyota Crown came standard with a 12.3-inch multimedia infotainment touchscreen, offering sharp graphics and quick responses. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, paired with a wireless charging pad. The base audio system had six speakers, with an optional 11-speaker JBL premium system for audiophiles. The infotainment system supported over-the-air updates and featured a voice-recognition system activated by saying "Hey Toyota." A Wi-Fi hotspot with remote monitoring and control was available, along with streaming services from Apple Music and Amazon Music. The Platinum trim included a digital key feature, allowing smartphone unlocking and virtual key sharing.

The 2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid offered a 7-inch or 9-inch touchscreen infotainment display, both with smartphone connectivity, including Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The larger 9-inch system included connected navigation and a 9-speaker JBL premium sound system. The Camry also featured SiriusXM satellite radio and several connected service plans with trial subscriptions. The test car had the 7-inch touchscreen, which was basic but functional. The voice recognition system struggled with some requests but succeeded with others. The infotainment system had physical knobs and buttons, though they could be more ergonomic. Additional tech included an available 7-inch driver information centre and a 10-inch head-up display.

The 2023 Toyota Crown had not yet been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS at the time of publication. It came with standard safety features, including frontal and cross-traffic collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic high beams, traffic-sign recognition, and a rear-seat-passenger reminder. The Platinum trim added a semi-automated parallel parking system. While the adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist were well-tuned, some new features were intrusive, though many could be disabled.

The 2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid included 10 airbags, a rear-seat reminder system, and Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 (TSS 2.5), which encompassed forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centring assist, and adaptive cruise control. It also had automatic high-beam headlights and Intersection Support. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were optional. TSS 2.5 lacked refinement, with adaptive cruise control braking too dramatically and lane-keeping systems struggling with lane changes. The Camry Hybrid received five-star ratings from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, though it received a Poor rating in the updated side-impact crash test.