2023 Toyota Crown vs 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid

Toyota's legacy in the United States spanned over six decades, with the Camry being a cornerstone of its lineup. Since its introduction in 1983, the Camry earned its reputation as the go-to family sedan by the mid-1990s and continued to sell in impressive numbers. By 2022, it had seen eight generations of production, with its hybrid variant being added in 2007. The current generation of the Camry started in 2018 and received a mild facelift in 2021, so changes for 2022 were minimal.

The 2022 Camry Hybrid's exterior design emphasized a futuristic and expressive look. Its front end featured a sneering face and muscular contours. The base model came equipped with 16-inch steel wheels, while the higher trims offered 17-inch, 18-inch, and even 19-inch alloy wheels. This spectrum of wheel designs added to its appeal.

Inside, the Camry Hybrid continued the futuristic theme. The dashboard featured a striking sweeping curve from the driver's side, extending across the center stack and forming the passenger's side of the center console. The upper half of the center stack housed a significant infotainment touchscreen, with the gear selector and dual cupholder positioned conveniently in the center console. The second row offered ample space and comfort, even for the middle seat, which was typically less comfortable in other vehicles.

As expected from Toyota, the quality of fit and finish on both the exterior and interior was exceptional. The gaps were even, the paint was smooth and glossy, and the materials used were of high quality.

The 2023 Toyota Crown was a full-sized sedan designed to replace the Avalon. It featured an elevated ride height that set it apart from other sedans. The Crown's front end was characterized by a massive grille, although much of it was purely for aesthetics as the openings were blocked off. A slender slit above the grille allowed air intake and was flanked by angular wraparound headlights. The Crown's distinctive and sportily aggressive front end was likely to appeal to a broad audience.

From the side, the Crown's large wheels and tires, coupled with a black trim piece along the bottom of the doors, prevented it from looking awkward. The rear was rounded, with a bold taillight strip slicing through a black trim element. Buyers of the top Platinum trim had the option to add a two-tone color scheme, with glossy black paint running from the nose over the hood and into the tail section. While not to everyone's taste, especially in red reminiscent of the original 1985 Air Jordans, this was a bold design move from Toyota.

Inside, the Crown boasted a modern cabin with a digital instrument panel and a large horizontal touchscreen atop the dash. Beneath this were physical buttons for climate control, featuring 1980s-style LED temperature displays. The interior incorporated a mix of sturdy plastics and cushioned elbow touch points. Despite some hard plastics, the overall feel was nearing a luxury level.

For those prioritizing fuel efficiency in a midsize sedan, the Camry Hybrid was an excellent choice. The entry-level LE model achieved an impressive EPA fuel economy rating of 51 mpg city, 53 mpg highway, and 52 mpg combined. Other trims offered slightly lower but still commendable figures at 44 mpg city, 47 mpg highway, and 46 mpg combined.

The hybrid system combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with variable valve timing, direct and port injection, and two electric motors, yielding a total system output of 208 horsepower. An electronically controlled CVT sent power to the front wheels, with paddle shifters available on SE and XSE models for those seeking a more engaging driving experience.

The Camry Hybrid's handling was commendable, partially due to the lithium-ion battery pack's low placement, which lowered the center of gravity. Drivers accustomed to taller crossovers or SUVs found the hybrid's handling surprisingly athletic. While the hybrid prioritized fuel efficiency, which could affect responsiveness, the overall driving experience was satisfying, albeit with occasional drivetrain droning and the challenge of maintaining EV mode.

The 2023 Toyota Crown offered buyers a choice between two hybrid powertrains across its XLE, Limited, and Platinum trims. The standard hybrid combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with a hybrid electric motor/generator powered by a nickel-metal hydride battery. A rear electric motor provided on-demand AWD at initial acceleration and when extra traction was needed, delivering a combined output of 236 horsepower. The top Platinum trim featured the more potent Hybrid Max powertrain, which paired a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with a powerful rear electric motor, producing a total of 340 horsepower.

The base hybrid system utilized a CVT, while the Hybrid Max system employed a traditional six-speed automatic transmission. The latter provided full-time AWD capability, with at least 30 percent of the vehicle's power directed to the rear wheels, promising a swifter acceleration of 5.7 seconds to 60 mph, compared to the base hybrid’s 7.6 seconds.

The Crown's performance was generally sufficient, with smooth initial responses. The base hybrid's CVT was loud and sometimes perceived as being under strain, whereas the Hybrid Max's traditional transmission offered more conventional drivability. An EV-only mode was available for short, low-speed drives, but it was challenging to maintain.

The Crown prioritized comfort over sporty handling. Its elevated ride height and substantial curb weight discouraged aggressive cornering but ensured a comfortable and stable ride. The Platinum trim's adaptive suspension offered a slightly firmer ride in Sport+ mode but did not drastically alter the driving experience. Cabin noise was minimal although engine drones could intrude, and highway speeds occasionally resulted in a bit of wind noise. The ride remained pleasant, despite some interference from electronic driver aids.

The Camry Hybrid excelled in usability with a comfortable ride height and adaptable seating positions. Most drivers found it easy to achieve their preferred driving posture, whether for city driving or long highway stretches. Storage options for the driver and front passenger included a roomy glove compartment, central storage under the armrest, and several smaller compartments throughout the dashboard.

The rear seats were easily accessible, spacious, and comfortable. Practicality extended to the trunk, which offered 15.1 cubic feet of space, owing to the low-mounted battery pack. The pass-through feature for extending long items and the ability to fold down the second row seats provided additional flexibility for larger cargo.

Warranty coverage for the 2022 Camry Hybrid was comprehensive, with a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty, a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty, a 10-year/100,000-mile hybrid battery warranty, and an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty for hybrid components. The body was covered against corrosion for five years with no mileage limitations.

The 2023 Toyota Crown, starting with the XLE trim, featured fabric seats with SofTex faux-leather trim, while the Limited and Platinum trims offered full leather upholstery. The seats were designed for long-distance comfort, though the firm cushioning could become uncomfortable over time. The view from the driver's seat was mostly unobstructed, but the rearview was somewhat constrained, a common issue in modern sedans. The elevated ride height improved the driver's road view but did not match the commanding perspective from an SUV.

Storage in the front was adequate, with large cupholders, door pockets, and a spacious center console. The wobbly console lid was a minor design flaw. A vertical phone tray with wireless charging and spring-loaded wedges ensured easy placement and secure charging for large phones.

Rear passengers enjoyed sufficient legroom and acceptable headroom, despite the tapering roofline, which limited headroom somewhat. Smaller windows restricted the sense of space, but higher trims with a panoramic sunroof brightened the cabin considerably.

The Crown had a traditional trunk that, despite a wide and low opening for easy loading, offered only 15.2 cubic feet of cargo space. This was smaller compared to competitors like the Kia Stinger and Volkswagen Arteon, which offered 23.3 and 27.2 cubic feet respectively. However, the Crown's trunk was still sufficiently useful for most needs.

The Camry Hybrid featured advanced technology tailored for an enhanced driving experience. Harman International's JBL division created a specially tuned audio system for the Camry, available as a premium option on XLE and XSE models. This system included nine speakers and sophisticated audio algorithms, providing an outstanding listening experience, particularly suited for compressed digital sources.

All models included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration, along with a WiFi hotspot. The LE, SE, and SE Nightshade trims came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen, whereas the XLE and XSE models were equipped with a 9-inch touchscreen. Keyless entry with push-button start, automatic LED headlights, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a projected path for the rearview camera were standard across all trims.

Advanced options on the XSE included a 10-inch color head-up display, a bird’s-eye view camera, intelligent clearance sonar with rear cross-traffic braking, and multi-stage ventilated seats, bringing high-end luxury and technology close to Lexus levels.

Every Toyota Crown trim featured a large 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, offering sharp graphics and responsive performance. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were included and paired well with the wireless charging pad. The base six-speaker audio system was adequate, but the 11-speaker JBL premium system available on higher trims greatly enhanced the audio experience.

The new infotainment system supported over-the-air updates, keeping maps and software up to date. A voice-recognition system, activated by "Hey Toyota," allowed control of audio, navigation, and climate settings. A Wi-Fi hotspot with remote monitoring and streaming services from Apple Music and Amazon Music were also available.

The Crown offered a digital key feature for smartphone-based access, standard on the Platinum and optional on the Limited trim. This feature allowed sharing of virtual keys, adding to the vehicle’s convenience and modern appeal.

The Camry Hybrid came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ (TSS 2.5+), which included a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert with steering assist, Lane Tracing Assist, automatic high beams, and traffic-sign recognition.

Toyota’s Star safety system included stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, and smart stop technology. The vehicle was equipped with 10 airbags, comprehensive seating belt systems, LATCH anchors for child seats, and other standard features like child protector locks and a tire pressure monitoring system.

The blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert was standard on higher trims and optional on lower ones. All models included a rear seat reminder, automatic engine shut-off, and hill start assist control. The Camry Hybrid had received top safety ratings in previous years, and the 2022 model was expected to follow suit with a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS.

Safety ratings for the 2023 Toyota Crown from NHTSA and IIHS were pending, but comprehensive standard safety features were included. These encompassed frontal and cross-traffic collision warnings with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitor with 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.

The adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist in the Crown were smooth and reduced driver effort. The Proactive Driving Assist features, albeit intrusive, could be disabled in favor of a more traditional driving experience. These assists were potentially useful for new or less-confident drivers.