Toyota Avalon vs Toyota Crown

The 2021 Toyota Avalon presented a mixed bag in terms of aesthetics. While its overall design was appealing, the front-bumper styling, particularly the blacked-out mesh grille on certain trims, drew comparisons to orthodontic braces, which might not have been to everyone's taste. Despite this, the Avalon's long and low profile was generally well-received, offering a sleek look from any angle. Inside, the Avalon boasted an architecturally-themed interior with artfully stitched leather seats and real wood trim, creating an ambiance that was more special than a Camry but not quite as luxurious as a Lexus ES. However, some interior plastics felt cheap for a car in its price range.

The 2023 Toyota Crown, on the other hand, stood out with its elevated ride height and distinctive styling. Its massive grille, angular wraparound headlights, and sporty aggression were likely to attract a broad range of customers. The Crown's interior was modern, featuring a digital instrument panel and a large horizontal touchscreen. While the cabin had a mix of hard plastics, it also offered cushioned touchpoints, making it feel like a fancier Toyota. The Crown's design choices, such as the two-tone color option in the Platinum trim, showcased Toyota's boldness, even if not all choices were universally appealing.

The 2021 Toyota Avalon offered three powertrains, including a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 205 horsepower for the AWD system, a 301-hp 3.5-liter V6, and a 215-hp hybrid option. The AWD system was limited to the XLE and Limited trims, and while it provided decent power, it wasn't particularly thrilling. The Avalon Hybrid excelled in fuel economy, achieving up to 44 mpg in combined driving. The Avalon displayed predictable handling and a comfortable ride, thanks to the Toyota New Global Architecture platform. However, the AWD option's effectiveness in adverse weather conditions remained untested.

The 2023 Toyota Crown offered two hybrid powertrains: a base 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid with 236 horsepower and a turbocharged 2.4-liter Hybrid Max with 340 horsepower. The base hybrid used a CVT, while the Hybrid Max featured a six-speed automatic transmission. The Crown's ride quality prioritized comfort, and while it wasn't sporty, it handled curves confidently. The Hybrid Max's adaptive suspension added a Sport+ mode, but it didn't significantly alter the driving experience. The Crown's cabin remained quiet, though some electronic driver aids were intrusive.

The 2021 Toyota Avalon provided a spacious interior, comparable to a Honda Accord, with eight-way power-adjustable front seats and generous rear-seat space. The Avalon Limited trim included heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats. Storage space was ample, with a roomy trunk measuring 16.1 cubic feet. However, the front seats could benefit from improved side bolstering and a power-extending thigh bolster.

The 2023 Toyota Crown offered fabric seat upholstery in the base XLE trim, with full leather coverings in the Limited and Platinum trims. The front seats were comfortable for long trips, though firm cushioning could cause discomfort over time. The Crown's taller ride height provided a slightly better view of the road, but the rearview was narrow. The rear seats offered ample space, and higher trims featured a panoramic sunroof. The Crown's trunk capacity was 15.2 cubic feet, smaller than some competitors, but still practical.

The 2021 Toyota Avalon came with a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. The upgrade system included a 14-speaker JBL premium sound system and dynamic navigation. The user interface was intuitive, though the JBL system required fine-tuning for optimal sound quality. A 10-inch head-up display was available but faint when wearing polarized sunglasses.

The 2023 Toyota Crown featured a standard 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system supported OTA updates and included a voice-recognition system. The base audio system was adequate, with an 11-speaker JBL system available in higher trims. The Crown also offered a digital key feature and a Wi-Fi hotspot with remote monitoring.

The 2021 Toyota Avalon included Toyota Safety Sense-P, offering adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard, with additional safety features available in the Advanced Safety Package. The Avalon earned top safety ratings from NHTSA and IIHS, though poor headlight performance on lower trims affected its eligibility for a "Top Safety Pick" award.

The 2023 Toyota Crown's safety features included collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and more. The Platinum trim added a semi-automated parking system. While crash test results were pending, the Crown's adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist were well-tuned, though some new features were intrusive.