Is Crown a Toyota car?

Yes. Crown is Toyota's long-running luxury sedan line, not a standalone brand. Introduced in 1955, it has evolved through many generations and remains primarily marketed in Japan, with occasional export history. It is a distinct model family within Toyota, separate from the Lexus luxury division.

Overview of the Crown lineage

The Crown lineage sits at the heart of Toyota's domestic lineup and has traditionally served as the Japanese market’s premium sedan. Over the decades it has spawned multiple trims and variants to balance comfort, performance, and efficiency. In recent years, Crown models have leaned into hybrid technology as part of Toyota's broader electrification push.

The Crown name is a model family within Toyota, rather than a stand-alone brand. It is closely associated with Japan and has seen various iterations, including sportier and more luxurious variants, while sharing engineering DNA with other Toyota sedans. For buyers and observers outside Japan, Crown availability has typically been limited, with Lexus serving as Toyota's global luxury brand in many markets.

Key facts about Crown's branding and market position:

• Model line from Toyota, first introduced in 1955.


• Not a separate brand; part of Toyota Motor Corporation.


• Primarily marketed in Japan, with limited export history to select markets.


• Variants have included Crown Sedan, Crown Athlete (sporty), and Crown Majesta (luxury flagship in some generations).


• Current iterations emphasize hybrid propulsion, comfort, and advanced safety technology.

In short, Crown is a Toyota car line with a long history, not a standalone brand.

Market presence and current positioning

Today, Toyota positions the Crown as a flagship-like sedan within its Japanese lineup, distinct from but related to the Lexus luxury brand in Toyota's broader strategy. The global footprint of Crown is smaller than that of Lexus, reflecting its Japan-focused heritage and market niche.

Key aspects of Crown's market footprint and strategy:

• Primary market: Japan, where the Crown remains a staple of Toyota's premium sedan lineup.


• Export presence: Historically limited; overseas availability is usually through restricted import channels or special programs.


• Brand relationship: Crown is a Toyota model family; Lexus is Toyota's separate luxury brand aimed at global markets.


• Powertrains: Mix of petrol and hybrid options, aligning with Toyota's electrification goals.


• Technological emphasis: Focus on ride comfort, interior refinement, safety features, and efficient propulsion.

In conclusion, Crown continues as a Toyota car line with a distinctive domestic identity, adapting to modern hybrid technology while maintaining its traditional role in Toyota's lineup.

Key Crown variants

Notable Crown variants include the standard Crown sedan, the performance-oriented Crown Athlete, and the luxury-focused Crown Majesta, illustrating how Toyota has preserved the Crown name across different market needs while keeping the lineup cohesive.

Summary

The Crown is a Toyota car line, not a separate brand. It represents Toyota's long-running effort to offer a premium sedan within the Japanese market, with multiple generations and variants over the decades. While it sits alongside Lexus in Toyota's luxury framework, the Crown remains a distinct model family that continues to evolve with hybrid technology and comfort-focused design for a Japan-centric audience.

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. 

Is the Toyota Crown bigger than a RAV4?

Yes, the Toyota Crown is larger than the RAV4 in terms of length and lower height, making it more of a luxury crossover wagon compared to the taller, traditional SUV shape of the RAV4. While the Crown has more interior passenger room and a longer body, the RAV4 offers more cargo space due to its taller design.
 

• Length: The Crown is longer and lower than the RAV4. 
• Passenger space: The Crown has more overall interior passenger room. 
• Cargo space: The RAV4 has more cargo volume, especially with the rear seats up, because it is taller. The Crown is longer and can accommodate longer items, but its lower height limits overall volume. 

Is Crown made by Toyota?

Having been in production since 1955, the Crown is Toyota's second longest running model nameplate in Japan after the Land Cruiser, and seventh in the world after the Mercedes-Benz S-Class (1954), Chevrolet Corvette (1953), Land Cruiser and Nissan Patrol (both 1951), Volkswagen Transporter (1950), Ford F-Series (1947), ...

Which is better, Toyota Crown or Toyota Camry?

Neither car is definitively "better"; it depends on your priorities. The Camry is the better choice for efficiency and affordability, while the Crown is superior if you prioritize a more luxurious, high-tech, and powerful (especially in Platinum trim) vehicle with standard all-wheel drive. The Camry offers better fuel economy and a lower starting price, whereas the Crown has a more SUV-like stance, more standard power on its base models, and a more premium interior and technology.
 
This video provides a comprehensive comparison of the 2025 Toyota Camry and 2025 Toyota Crown: 58sHawkeye RidesYouTube · Sep 5, 2024
Choose the Camry if:

• Budget is a primary concern: The Camry starts at a significantly lower price point. 
• Maximum fuel efficiency is your goal: The Camry Hybrid offers better MPG, with up to 52 MPG combined on the LE trim. 
• You prefer a traditional sedan: The Camry is lower and sleeker with a more traditional profile. 

Choose the Crown if:

• You want a more luxurious experience: The Crown has a more premium interior with features like standard heated and ventilated front seats. 
• Higher performance is important: All-wheel drive is standard, and the Platinum trim features a 340-horsepower "Hybrid Max" powertrain. 
• You want more standard tech: The Crown comes standard with dual 12.3-inch screens and other advanced features that are often optional on the Camry. 
• A higher ride height is desirable: The Crown has a higher ground clearance, giving it a stance closer to a compact SUV. 

You can watch this video to learn more about the performance features of the Toyota Crown and Camry: 29sAuto DetailsYouTube · Jun 30, 2025