2025 Toyota Crown Hybrid - Re- Driven, Re - Configured Review
New trends can either be exhilarating or head scratching. Sometimes they can be both, as with the new automotive niche of hybrid electric active lifestyle executive sedans.
In 2023, Toyota introduced the Crown four-door as a youthful targeting stand-in for the void of the Avalon saloon in their American portfolio.
The previously tested flagship Toyota Crown Platinum HybridMax distinguishes itself as an express performing fastback with an upscale sport themed cabin. The corresponding low roof and low bucket seating, however, eliminate itself from AARP centerfold status.
By contrast, the lower priced 2025 Toyota Crown Hybrid, supplies the active lifestyle four door fastback package with more traditional parallel e-all wheel drive hybrid propulsion with an emphasis on efficiency rather than outright acceleration.
George Straton
DIFFERENCES FROM LAST TESTED 2023 TOYOTA CROWN HYBRIDMAX PLATINUM TRIM:
- Toyota Synergy Drive E-4 + CVT
- replacing HybridMax + automatic transaxle
- 225/45-W Bridgestone Turanza EL 450 Z M+S tires, 21" alloy wheels
- replacing 235/50-V Goodyear Eagle Touring tires
- Rear camera, sonar Park Warning
- replacing surround cameras & active Park Assistance
- Drive modes x 4 (Eco, Normal, Sport, Custom)
- loses Platinum HybridMax' Sport Plus mode
2025 Toyota Crown Hybrid AWD: the hybrid flagship fastback sedan in Nightshade trim
2023 Toyota Crown Hybrid AWD Nightshade specifications:
Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP): $51,158 = as tested 2023 Toyota Crown Hybrid MAX Platinum AWD ($42,535 XLE Hybrid)
Curb Weight (pounds): 4,343 lbs. (-320 lbs. vs. Crown HybridMax)
Powertrain - petrol: Hybrid Synergy e-AWD transverse turbocharged 2.5L 16V DOHC I-4 + 2 PSM electric traction motors
Horsepower petrol / Torque (pound - feet): 184 hp / 163 lb-ft @ 3600 r.p.m.
Horsepower NET HYBRID (kilowatts) / Torque (pound - feet): 236 hp (254 kW) / 163 lb-ft @ 3600 r.p.m.
- Powertrain - electrified (includes MG 1 PSM (regen.) 6 kW (8 hp) starter generator)
- Front E-Motor: water cooled MG 2 PSM 650VAC (front): 88 kW (118 hp), 149 lb-ft;(parallel to engine)
- Rear E-Motor: water cooled MG 3 PSM 650VAC (rear): 40 kW (54 hp), 89 lb-ft
- Battery - electric propulsion / weight: compact bi-polar NiMH, 230 VAC, 5.0 Ah, 1.2 kWh capacity / N.L.
Drivetrain / Final drive ratio: E-front axle MSG to 6-speed automatic multi-clutch plate planetary gear transaxle, E-rear axle MSG, full time all-wheel drive - 70:30%- to 20:80% F:R e-axle torque split
Drive Modes: (6) Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport S, Sport S +, Custom
Chassis:
- 4 wheel independent suspension
- 4 wheel disc brakes x 1 piston floating calipers, front vented
- 225/45-W Bridgestone Turanza EL 450 Z M+S, 21" alloy wheels
Dimensions:
- LxWxH: 196.1" x 72.4" x 60.6"
- Wheelbase: 112.2" inches
- Ground clearance: 5.8" inches
Fuel Economy - EPA urban / highway / observed combined (miles per gallon): 42 / 41 / 33 m.p.g.
Range (maximum): 595 miles (14.5 gallons)
Performance: 0-60 miles/ hour: 5.2 seconds; Top speed: 130 m.p.h.
Manufacturer Provided Specifications @2025 Roadblazing.com
2025 Toyota Crown Hybrid AWD: parallel hybrid powertrain with rear axle electric motor all-wheel drive
CARRIED OVER / SHARED WITH TOYOTA CROWN HYBRIDMAX PLATINUM:
- two row flagship drive executive sedan, 5 occupant seating
- Raised ground clearance for active lifestyle
- Hybrid gas battery electric all-wheel drive powertrain, drivetrain
- Toyota Synergy Drive E-4
- Adequate around-town pep
- rated power - 236 hp, 163 lb-ft
- weight to power ratio - 16.9:1 lbs./hp (vs. Crown HybridMax Platinum 12.8 lbs./hp)
- Fuel efficient for segment
- 33 miles per gallon (vs. 27 m.p.g. Crown HybridMax Platinum)
- 595 miles highway driving range (vs. 464 miles Crown HybridMax Platinum)
- Fully independent suspension + four wheel disc brakes, front vented
- IIHS - Top Safety Pick (2024 MY)
- Safety Sense 3.0 advanced driver assistance, Level 2.0 autonomy
- 12.3" Multi-information Display configurable TFT instrument cluster, including navigation map replication
- 12.3" Toyota Connected touch tablet upper center dash infotainment screen
- 2-zone automatic climate control
- 11-speaker, 800 Watt JBL streaming audios, HD radio audio + Bluetooth hands-free communication
- wireless available Android Auto, Apple CarPlay projection
- Toyota Connected Services, Wi-Fi, Sirius XM satellite entertainment - by Subscription
2025 Toyota Crown Hybrid AWD: aspirational active lifestyle sedan cabin & trunk
BOTTOM LINE:
- $51,158 price, as tested 2025 Toyota Crown Hybrid AWD Nightshade ( XLE Hybrid from $42,535)
- 3 years / 36,000 miles bumper to bumper; 5 yrs. / 60k miles powertrain, 8 yrs. / 100k miles hybrid parts, 10 yrs. / 150k miles hybrid battery, 2 years scheduled maintenance warranty
LIKES ABOUT THE 2025 TOYOTA CROWN HYBRID AWD NIGHTSHADE:
- Artful, aspirational raised sport fastback sedan
- Nightshade package brings darkened two-tone coloring from Hybrid Max Platinum
- Efficient hybrid gas electric propulsion
- E-CVT behaves like an unhurried conventional automatic transmission
- Taut, genteel ride, little body wallow
- Smooth regenerative slowing / mechanical braking transition
- Deep finish outside, unexpected interior finish detail, webbed headliner, A-pillars
- Dual 12.3" instrument cluster & infotainment displays avoid the single wide screen swath
- Impressive instrument variability + energy flow displays
- Variable detailed display instrument cluster
- Variable color ambient night lighting
- Traditional knob for audio volume
- Tactile and logical steering wheel spoke ADAS and instrument buttons
- Powerful JBL audio
2025 Toyota Crown Hybrid AWD: sporty twin cowl cockpit, dual 12.3" displays, Safety Sense 3.0 ADAS
NOT PREFERRED ABOUT THE 2025 TOYOTA CROWN HYBRID AWD NIGHTSHADE:
- Scant headroom
- Low seat cushions result in arduous egress for older folks
- Thick pillars and small backlight hinder rearward visibility
- Synergy Hybrid powertrain gets noisy
- Acceleration adequate, but not particularly urgent
- Vague steering feel
- Shift-by-wire lever stubborn toggling into Neutral
- Learning curve to making instrument cluster & ADAS changes
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