Is a Toyota Crown an Avalon?
The Crown and the Avalon are not the same model. The Crown is a current flagship nameplate in Japan and other markets, revived in the 2020s, while the Avalon was Toyota’s North American full-size sedan that is no longer in production. They share Toyota’s hybrid technology in some configurations, but they are distinct vehicles with different histories and markets.
Overview: Crown vs Avalon in today’s lineup
Below is a quick comparison of how the two models fit into Toyota's lineup, highlighting their market focus, design approach, and current status.
- Markets and branding: The Crown is sold primarily in Japan and several other markets as a premium flagship; the Avalon was a North American model marketed mainly in the United States and Canada and is no longer sold there.
- Body style and design philosophy: The Crown emphasizes a luxury-oriented, bold sedan design with a higher-end interior and modern tech; the Avalon offered traditional full-size comfort with Camry-based underpinnings and a conventional sedan silhouette.
- Platform and powertrain: The Crown uses Toyota’s newer TNGA architectures with hybrid and potentially electrified options tailored to its premium positioning; the Avalon was built on Camry-based platforms with hybrid variants in some years.
- Pricing and positioning: The Crown targets buyers seeking premium features and a distinctive flagship experience within its markets; the Avalon was positioned as Toyota’s accessible, roomy full-size sedan for North America.
- Current status in Toyota’s lineup: The Crown remains active in several markets; the Avalon was discontinued in the U.S. after the 2022 model year as Toyota shifted emphasis toward SUVs and other models.
In short, the Crown and Avalon occupy different spaces in Toyota’s lineup. They are not the same car, though they may share some hybrid technology across the brand.
Historical context and evolution
The Crown’s lineage
The Crown name has a long history as Toyota’s flagship sedan in Japan, dating back to the 1950s. In the 2020s, Toyota reintroduced Crown as a modern, premium model with advanced technology and refined packaging, expanding its presence beyond Japan to select markets where it’s offered as a distinct, upscale option.
Avalon in North America
The Avalon was Toyota’s large, front-wheel-drive sedan for the American market, sharing DNA with the Camry. As consumer preferences shifted toward SUVs, Toyota phased out the Avalon in favor of crossovers and crossover-based flagship models. By the early 2020s, the Avalon was effectively discontinued in the U.S., with no direct replacement in the same segment from Toyota at that time.
How to tell them apart
Dealerships and showroom floors will clearly distinguish them through badges, design language, and market availability. The Crown carries a premium branding and styling language tailored to its flagship role, while the Avalon was marketed as a spacious, conventional North American sedan on Camry underpinnings.
Bottom line: The Toyota Crown is not an Avalon. They are separate nameplates with different market aims, histories, and current statuses in Toyota’s global lineup.
Summary
To answer plainly: No, a Toyota Crown is not an Avalon. The Crown is a current flagship model with a premium, technology-focused approach in several markets, including recent introductions in North America. The Avalon was a North American full-size sedan that Toyota discontinued after the 2022 model year. Buyers seeking Toyota’s large-sedan experience should look at Crown where it’s offered or consider other current Toyota options, including SUVs like the Grand Highlander, depending on their market.
Is the Toyota Crown the same as Avalon?
Between the Crown. And the Avalon. The main differences in my opinion are going to be the styling. Styling is a lot more aggressive. It comes from factory with a lift.
Is the Crown replacing the Avalon?
Yes, the Toyota Crown officially replaced the discontinued Avalon as Toyota's flagship sedan. While the two are distinct models, the Crown was introduced to fill the spot left by the Avalon in the North American lineup, offering a hybrid powertrain and a higher ride height, according to Paul Miller Toyota, this YouTube video, and MySA.
- Discontinuation: The 2022 model year was the last for the Toyota Avalon.
- Replacement: The 2023 Toyota Crown was introduced as the new flagship vehicle to replace the Avalon.
- Key differences: The Crown is a hybrid-only model with standard all-wheel drive and a higher, more SUV-like driving position compared to the traditional front-wheel-drive Avalon, notes Toyota, this YouTube video, and MySA.
- Performance: The Crown's available HYBRID MAX™ powertrain offers a significant power increase over the Avalon's V6 engine, according to Toyota Chula Vista and this YouTube video.
- Availability: For those seeking a similar SUV experience, Toyota also offers the Crown Signia, a larger SUV version of the Crown, says this YouTube video.
Why is the Toyota Crown not selling?
The Toyota Crown is not selling well due to its awkward market position between a sedan and an SUV, a high price point for a mainstream-badged vehicle, and a lack of consumer familiarity with the model in the North American market. The vehicle replaced the larger, traditional Avalon, but its lifted, crossover-like sedan style doesn't fit neatly into buyer preferences, which have shifted heavily towards conventional SUVs.
Key reasons for low sales
- Confusing market segment: The Crown has a unique design that combines sedan proportions with a higher, crossover-like stance, which creates an identity crisis in a market that is largely divided between traditional sedans and SUVs.
- High price point: The 2024 model starts at over $40,000$ 40 comma 000$40,000, and some consumers are hesitant to spend this much on a car with a Toyota badge, especially when compared to more established luxury brands or more familiar Toyota models.
- Replaced a declining segment: The Crown took the place of the Avalon, a large sedan that was already experiencing declining sales due to the market's shift to SUVs and crossovers.
- Lack of consumer familiarity: The Crown was not sold in the US for decades, so the nameplate lacks the brand recognition and history that might have helped it succeed like some other revived models have.
- Competition: It faces strong competition from both traditional sedans and a vast number of SUVs and crossovers already available in the market.
- Inconsistent branding: Toyota's attempts to position the Crown as a more interesting and unique vehicle may not resonate with mainstream buyers who are more accustomed to the brand's conventional offerings.
What is a Toyota Crown considered?
The Toyota Crown is a premium hybrid sedan with a unique, elevated design that blends the characteristics of a traditional sedan with the ride height of a crossover SUV. It features a hybrid powertrain, standard all-wheel drive, and a sophisticated and high-tech interior designed to compete with luxury models.
Key characteristics of the Toyota Crown
- Hybrid powertrain: The Crown is a hybrid vehicle, meaning it uses both a gasoline engine and electric motors to achieve good fuel efficiency while providing ample power. There are two hybrid options: a 2.5L Dynamic Force system on most models and a more powerful 2.4L Hybrid MAX system on the Platinum trim.
- Elevated sedan design: It has the body of a four-door sedan but with a higher ride height than other sedans, giving it a distinctive look. This elevated design is intended to offer some of the benefits of an SUV, such as easier entry and exit.
- Standard All-Wheel Drive (AWD): All models come standard with Toyota's All-Wheel Drive system for confident handling in various conditions.
- Premium and high-tech interior: The cabin is designed with premium materials and includes advanced technology, such as a 12.3-inch touchscreen, a digital gauge cluster, and features like heated steering wheels and illuminated entry on many models.
- Multiple trim levels: The Crown is available in different trim levels, such as XLE, Limited, Nightshade, and Platinum, which vary in features and price.
