2023 Toyota Crown vs 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid

The 2023 Toyota Crown was a full-size sedan with a seating capacity for five, reminiscent of the discontinued Toyota Avalon in its footprint. However, the Crown stood out with a unique elevated ride height, almost four inches higher, evoking a slight nostalgia for the Honda Accord Crosstour or the AMC Eagle crossover. Its styling leaned towards broader acceptance with a notably massive yet aesthetically blocked-off grille, flanked by angular wraparound headlights above a narrow air inlet slit. This front-end exuded a sporty aggression designed to attract diverse customers. From a side view, the Crown sported large wheels and tires, preventing a stilted or awkward appearance. Black trim along the door bottoms broke up the expanse of sheet metal, while the rear showcased a rounded design with a bold taillight strip slicing through a black trim element. There was, however, an odd transition from the side fender to the tail section. The Platinum trim offered a bold two-tone color option, with glossy black paint running from the nose over the hood to the tail section—a look not universally appealing but audacious for Toyota. Inside, the Crown was modern, featuring a digital instrument panel and a large horizontal touchscreen atop the dash. Below this was a row of physical climate control buttons with 1980s-era LED displays, somewhat detracting from the futuristic ambiance. The cabin combined hardy plastic with cushioned elbow touchpoints, evoking a near-luxury feel, although more refined surface graining could have elevated it into luxury car territory. The 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid, meanwhile, exuded an elegant exterior that belied its more affordable status. Lengthened by roughly three inches, it featured a redesigned front grille and updated LED lighting, with a sleek side profile reminiscent of Audi's A7 luxury sedan. The Accord retained its identity but with a more refined, near-luxury touch. The new model boasted a more upright front grille, blacked-out LED headlights, and taillights spanning the width of the rear end. Its increased rear track contributed to a planted stance, accentuated by a long, flowing roofline tapering to the trunk. The Accord Touring trim included seven exterior color options, standard 19-inch alloy wheels, and optional expensive gloss-black HPD alloys. Inside, the cabin mimicked the layout found in Honda’s Civic and CR-V, featuring a visually appealing honeycomb mesh trim that cleverly hid the air vents. Digital displays, intuitive menus, heated and ventilated seats, and solid build quality added to the Accord’s upscale feel. It also featured a traditional gearshift, enhancing ease of operation and adding convenience to the interior layout.

The 2023 Toyota Crown came with two hybrid powertrains available in XLE, Limited, and Platinum trims. The base powertrain combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with a hybrid electric motor and a nickel-metal hydride battery pack, delivering 236 horsepower and on-demand AWD. The Platinum trim featured the Hybrid Max powertrain, upgrading to a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder coupled with a more potent rear electric motor, producing 340 horsepower. The base hybrid was paired with a CVT, while the Hybrid Max featured a traditional six-speed automatic, offering quicker acceleration stats—7.6 seconds for the base hybrid and 5.7 seconds for the turbo Hybrid Max. Electric motors contributed immediate response, though the CVT made the base hybrid feel slower due to high engine revs and droning. The Hybrid Max's traditional automatic mitigated this but still experienced some droning. The Crown's ride quality focused on comfort, confidently handling curves at sensible speeds despite its 4,300-pound curb weight. The Platinum's adaptive suspension introduced a Sport+ mode, though without significant performance difference. Comfort was slightly marred by some intrusive electronic driver aids, and engine-drone was a minor gripe, though cabin noise was generally well-controlled. The 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid, in contrast, featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors across all trims, producing 204 horsepower sent to the front wheels via a CVT. Despite its lack of AWD, the Accord Hybrid managed smooth and efficient driving, seamlessly switching between electric and gas power, providing ample acceleration for highway merges and passing. Its suspension balanced bump absorption and firmness, and the upgraded regenerative braking system, with six levels of regen, enhanced driving efficiency. Agile handling made the Accord relaxing to drive and easy to park despite its increased length.

The 2023 Toyota Crown offered fabric seat upholstery in the base XLE trim, with full leather in Limited and Platinum trims. Front seats were comfortable for long trips, though firm cushioning could cause discomfort over time. Visibility was good except for the narrow rearview. The Crown's elevated height offered a better road view but not quite SUV-like. Interior storage was adequate, with large cupholders, door pockets, and a central console with a secure, though somewhat wobbly, dual-hinged armrest. The rear seats provided ample legroom, adequate headroom, and a more airy feel with a panoramic sunroof in higher trims. However, the Crown’s traditional trunk had a limited 15.2 cubic feet capacity, which was smaller compared to the Kia Stinger and Volkswagen Arteon but still functional. The 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid’s cabin mirrored the Civic’s layout. Its visually appealing honeycomb mesh trim hid the air vents, and buttons for cabin temperature control were within easy reach. The Touring trim offered heated and ventilated seats and a robust, upscale build. The switch to a traditional gearshift from previous buttons was seen as an improvement for ease of use. Honda claimed improved front seat support, which was validated by comfortable driving experiences. Rear accommodations boasted generous legroom and shoulder room, although headroom was slightly compromised by the tapering roofline. However, the Accord offered superior cargo capacity with a deep, easily accessible 16.7-cubic-foot trunk, better than the Crown’s.

The 2023 Toyota Crown included a standard 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen across all trims, with crisp graphics and responsive controls. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integrated well with the wireless charging pad. The base audio system was basic, but an 11-speaker JBL premium system was available for audiophiles. The infotainment system supported OTA updates, a new voice-recognition system activated by "Hey Toyota," and a Wi-Fi hotspot with remote control capabilities. The Platinum trim featured a digital key accessible via smartphone, with virtual key sharing. The 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid also featured a significant tech suite. The standard Accord included a 7-inch touchscreen and a 10.2-inch digital instrument display. The Hybrid’s 12.3-inch touchscreen, intuitive commands, and user-friendly menus made for a smooth tech experience. Advanced features like wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a wireless charging pad, “Hey Google” virtual assistant, Amazon Alexa, and head-up display set the Touring trim apart. A 12-speaker Bose audio system, HD radio, and multiple USB ports added to the tech convenience, making the Accord’s tech suite richer and more user-focused compared to the Crown.

Safety was paramount for the 2023 Toyota Crown, but as of early 2023, NHTSA and IIHS crash test results were pending. Standard features included frontal and cross-traffic collision warning with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic high beams, traffic-sign recognition, and rear-seat reminder. The Platinum trim added a parallel parking system. While adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist were seamless, other proactive assist features were intrusive but potentially beneficial for new drivers. In contrast, the 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid excelled in safety features. Both versions were equipped with automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, traffic sign recognition, pedestrian and cyclist detection, and a rear-seat reminder as part of the Honda Sensing bundle. The Touring trim included a multi-angle rearview camera, parking sensors, and head-up display. Surprisingly, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were optional but deemed essential and worth the additional cost. Honda's next-gen airbags, slimmer front A-pillars for better visibility, and a full Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS highlighted the Accord's superior safety design and implementation.