Toyota Camry Hybrid vs Toyota Crown

The 2023 Toyota Crown, a full-size sedan for five, drew comparisons with the recently discontinued Toyota Avalon in terms of size, although it distinctively rode four inches higher. This elevated ride height gave the Crown a noticeable presence on the road, reminiscent of the Honda Accord Crosstour or the AMC Eagle crossover. However, the Crown's design was more likely to gain wider acceptance. The front of the Crown showcased a massive grille, primarily aesthetic, with blocked-off openings. A narrow slit above housed the real air inlets, framed by angular wraparound headlights. Its front end exuded a sporty aggression that was likely to attract a range of buyers. From the side, large wheels and tires along with a black trim piece running along the doors maintained a balanced look.

The rear of the Crown featured a pleasantly rounded design with a bold taillight strip crossing a black trim element, although the transition from side fender to tail section seemed a bit odd. The Platinum trim offered a two-tone color option with glossy black paint from the nose over the hood to the tail, a daring design choice that might not be for everyone, particularly in red. Inside, the Crown embraced modernity with a digital instrument panel and a large horizontal touchscreen atop the dash. Below was a row of physical climate control buttons with 1980s-era LED displays, contrasting with the futuristic interior. The cabin boasted a mix of sturdy plastic elements and cushioned touchpoints. Despite the presence of hard plastics, the interior could be mistaken for an entry-level luxury vehicle if the surface graining improved.

In contrast, six years after its eighth generation debut, the 2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid finally seemed familiar, helped by the new Reservoir Blue paint and Nightshade Edition’s matte-bronze 19-inch wheels. Available in SE trim with either a standard engine or hybrid setup, it featured black-trimmed lights, a TRD mesh grille, black side mirror caps, a black rear spoiler, and badges. The Nightshade Edition presented the Camry in Reservoir Blue, Ice Cap, or Midnight Black, all striking colors. Inside, the SE-spec interior retained the same layout introduced years ago. Toyota claimed “impeccable fit and finish,” but the presence of cheap-looking plastics contradicted this. Shutting the trunk or doors produced unsatisfactory sounds, and road noise permeated the cabin, creating a less substantial feel.

The Camry Hybrid Nightshade, priced starting just over $29,000 and reaching up to $35,000 for top trims, included several upgrades and safety features. However, the model tested lacked certain refinements, such as smooth door closures, resulting in an impression of shoddiness.

The 2023 Toyota Crown offered two hybrid powertrains across its XLE, Limited, and Platinum trims. The base powertrain combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with a hybrid electric motor/generator powered by a nickel-metal hydride battery pack. An additional electric motor between the rear wheels provided on-demand AWD, contributing to a combined output of 236 horsepower. The Platinum trim's Hybrid Max powertrain increased the stakes with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and a powerful rear electric motor for a total of 340 horsepower.

The base hybrid paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) while the Hybrid Max used a traditional six-speed automatic. The latter delivered full-time AWD, ensuring at least 30% of power reached the rear wheels. Acceleration estimates were 7.6 seconds to 60 mph for the base hybrid and 5.7 seconds for the Hybrid Max. Initial acceleration was brisk, thanks to the electric motors, but neither powertrain felt particularly quick. The base hybrid's CVT made the engine drone loudly, whereas the Hybrid Max's automatic transmission provided better gear shifts despite occasional drone.

The Crown's ride quality focused on comfort. Its 4,300-pound curb weight and elevated ride height did not favor sporty handling but provided confidence through curves. The Platinum trim's adaptive suspension with Sport+ mode did not significantly enhance the experience. Inside, engine drone notwithstanding, the cabin remained quiet, with minimal road noise and a slight rush of air at highway speeds. Some electronic aids, like the Curve Speed Reduction system, were intrusive, potentially annoying attentive drivers.

For the 2023 Camry Hybrid, Toyota offered three powertrains. The most popular was the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 202 to 206 horsepower, depending on trim and drivetrain (FWD or AWD). A 301-hp 3.5-liter V6 was available for the XLE, XSE, and TRD trims but only with FWD. Non-hybrid models had an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Camry Hybrid combined a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine, an electric motor, and a lithium-ion battery pack for a total of 208 horsepower, using a CVT to send power to the front wheels. The hybrid system mimicked a traditional automatic transmission with six programmed ratios, and sporty trims featured paddle shifters.

Despite Toyota's EPA rating of 46 mpg combined, the test car achieved only 33.4 mpg, a significant discrepancy attributed to driving modes and conditions. Accelerating from a stop felt quick due to the electric motor's torque, and the drivetrain was well-isolated from the cabin. Regenerative braking, while noticeable, offered better pedal feel than expected. The SE or XSE trims’ sport suspension, while soft, provided decent cornering and predictable handling.

Overall, while the Honda Accord might drive better, the Camry Hybrid SE Nightshade was entertaining. However, achieving optimal fuel efficiency required careful driving.

In the base XLE trim, the 2023 Toyota Crown featured fabric upholstery with SofTex faux-leather trim. The Limited and Platinum trims upgraded to full leather, preferred over the vinyl-like SofTex. The front seats were comfortable for long trips but firm, with the driver's view largely unobstructed. The elevated ride height offered a slightly better road view but not as commanding as an SUV.

The front passengers enjoyed spacious storage options, including large cupholders, door pockets, and a center console armrest bin with a dual-hinged lid. The vertical phone tray with a wireless charging pad accommodated larger phones securely. Rear seats provided ample legroom and adequate headroom despite the tapering roofline. High trims’ panoramic sunroof enhanced the sense of space. However, the traditional trunk, while wide and low for easy loading, held only 15.2 cubic feet, smaller than competitors like the Kia Stinger (23.3 cubic feet) and Volkswagen Arteon (27.2 cubic feet).

Meanwhile, the 2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid emphasized simplicity with durable materials and an intuitive layout. Most models included dual-zone automatic climate control, with options for heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The test car's front seats offered eight-way power adjustment for the driver and manual adjustments for the passenger, including height.

The Camry’s lower stance made entry and exit easy, and the SofTex leather used in the Camry Hybrid SE felt durable if not particularly soft. Back seats were comfortable but less roomy compared to the Honda Accord, with the lack of rear air conditioning vents a notable drawback. Interior storage was practical but unlined, leading to potential rattling. The trunk, at 15.1 cubic feet, allowed sideways storage of full-size suitcases but lacked a handle for closing the lid.

Comparatively, both cars had similarly sized trunk spaces, with the Crown offering marginally more room. However, neither model excelled in cargo capacity within their segments.

The 2023 Toyota Crown came standard with a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen across all trims, featuring sharp graphics and adequately quick responses. Wireless versions of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto paired seamlessly with the wireless charging pad. Audiophiles could upgrade from the base six-speaker system to an 11-speaker JBL premium setup in higher trims.

The OTA software updates kept maps and firmware current, while a new voice-recognition system activated by saying "Hey Toyota" controlled audio, navigation, and temperature. Additional features included a Wi-Fi hotspot, streaming services from Apple and Amazon Music, and a digital key feature for smartphone unlocking. Virtual keys could be shared, standard on the Platinum trim and optional on the Limited.

The 2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid offered a choice of 7-inch or 9-inch touchscreen infotainment displays, both supporting smartphone connectivity with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The 9-inch system added connected navigation and a 9-speaker JBL premium sound system. Both systems were Amazon Alexa compatible and included SiriusXM and various connected service plans with complimentary trials.

The test car’s 7-inch touchscreen felt basic, with limited voice recognition capabilities. Physical knobs and buttons around the screen were appreciated, though improved ergonomics would enhance usability. Optional tech included a 7-inch driver information center and a 10-inch head-up display, absent in the test car.

The 2023 Toyota Crown’s crash test results were pending from both NHTSA and IIHS. Standard safety features included frontal and cross-traffic collision warnings with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring 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.

Adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist were well-tuned, though new Proactive Driving Assist features were intrusive for some drivers and not fully disengageable in pre-production models.

For the 2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid, Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 (TSS 2.5) provided forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and adaptive cruise control. Additional standard safety features included 10 airbags, a rear-seat reminder system, automatic high beams, and Intersection Support.

TSS 2.5's performance during testing was less refined, with adaptive cruise control braking too dramatically and lane assist systems struggling with varying road conditions. The Camry received five-star ratings from NHTSA in all assessments, including rollover resistance, and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS for 2022 models, though it earned a Poor rating in the updated side-impact crash test.