After 62 years, Toyota Crown may return to the US, but in the form of a large SUV.
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The Toyota Crown was one of the Japanese firm's most emblematic vehicles, however generations after the first generation were not sold in the United States. Now that could change with the introduction of the Crown, but in SUV form and with three different drivetrain versions.
Every car is becoming a crossover these days, and nothing seems to be sacred. Even that couldn't be applied to Toyota's historic Crown. The Crown sedan has been in stock at the Japanese automaker in its home country since its introduction in 1955, and it could now get a larger SUV variant destined for the US.
SUV with three transmission options
Although Toyota hasn't officially confirmed anything, three sources within the company have confirmed anonymously that the Crown's SUV will arrive next summer and will be offered in hybrid, plug-in hybrid and all-electric versions. The hybrid will arrive in North America, they said, and it will be the first time the Crown has arrived in the United States since 1960.
Toyota Crown first generation.
The first generation Crown was actually withdrawn from the US because it was too slow to keep up with interstate speeds, but Toyota registered the Crown name in the US in early 2021, so there's more evidence we'll see the model return. badge for the first time in over 60 years.
Transmission available only for Japan
Insiders have reportedly noted that the US will not receive the plug-in hybrid version, which should only be sold in Japan. Meanwhile, the all-electric Crown, which is said to be launched after the hybrid model, has apparently not yet completed its export plans. Those sources also mentioned that the Crown sedan will receive a facelift later this summer, but there is no word yet on whether it will be seen by Americans in the United States.
While the Crown is one of Toyota's most iconic vehicles, spanning 15 generations, it's entering an American market that hasn't seen the badge in decades. The closest we come to this millennium is the Lexus GS, which until the early 2010s shared a platform with the JDM Crown.
Challenge for Toyota Crown SUV
It will be a bit difficult to see where the Crown will neatly fit into Toyota's US lineup. Lexus is already selling the RX, NX and UX as hybrids, while Toyota is selling the Highlander, RAV4 and Venza as hybrids, covering the luxury and standard markets fairly well in various sizes. More details are expected later this year so we can know exactly where Crown is in the US market. Let's hope Toyota keeps the cool Crown badge.
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