Is the Toyota Crown as big as the Avalon?
In brief, the Crown and Avalon are roughly similar in overall size, but the Crown sits higher and uses a more upright packaging that can make it feel larger in person. The Avalon, by contrast, offers a traditional low-slung sedan profile with comparable interior volume.
To understand the comparison, this piece looks at key measurements and how packaging decisions translate to real-world space, cargo, and practicality. The goal is to answer how the Crown stacks up against the Avalon in everyday use.
Size at a glance
Here is a quick, qualitative snapshot of how the two sedans compare in key size metrics.
- Overall footprint: Both are long, four‑door sedans with a comparable overall length, giving them a similar road presence.
- Wheelbase: The Crown and Avalon share a similar wheelbase, contributing to roomy rear seating and stable highway manners.
- Height and stance: The Crown sits noticeably taller, delivering more headroom and a more upright silhouette; the Avalon stays lower for a conventional sedan look.
- Trunk space: Cargo capacity is in the same ballpark, with slight variations by trim and model year.
- Passenger space: Front seating is comfortable in both; the Crown's higher roofline can enhance rear headroom and overall interior feel.
- Architecture and packaging: Both use modern Toyota TNGA underpinnings, which helps keep their footprints similar while allowing different styling and packaging choices.
In practical terms, the Crown and Avalon offer comparable interior space, with the Crown providing a taller, more crossover-like presence that can make it feel bigger from the driver's seat and outside, even if the bare dimensions aren’t dramatically different.
Practical considerations
Design and packaging differences
The Crown’s design embraces a higher ride height and more upright roofline, which translates to more headroom and a commanding road stance. This packaging can affect trunk geometry and rear visibility, but it also yields a more modern, premium look. The Avalon uses a traditional sedan silhouette with a lower roof and a focus on smooth, low aerodynamic lines.
Market positioning
In the United States, Toyota shifted the large sedan brief from Avalon to the Crown, effectively positioning the Crown as the direct successor in that segment and making it the brand’s flagship four-door sedan there. In other markets, the Avalon may have different availability or naming, but the Crown remains the central large-sedan offering in many regions.
Bottom line
For most buyers, the Crown is about the same size as the Avalon, but it feels different to drive and sit in because of its taller stance and packaging choices. If you want a traditional low-profile sedan with a long trunk and a classic look, the Avalon’s footprint is familiar. If you prefer more headroom, a bold silhouette, and a modern, elevated sedan experience, the Crown sits in the same size category with a distinct edge in packaging.
Summary
The Crown and Avalon occupy the same size class in Toyota’s lineup, with similar length and wheelbase. The Crown’s taller height and SUV-inspired stance give it a different feel and some interior advantages in headroom, while cargo space remains broadly comparable. In short, they are not identical in size, but they are close enough that shoppers often compare them directly when evaluating a large Toyota sedan.
Is the Toyota Crown a big car?
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Did the Toyota Crown take the place of 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 Toyota Crown comparable to?
Similar options to the Toyota Crown include the Lexus ES and ES Hybrid for a more traditional luxury sedan, the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry for a more budget-friendly hybrid option, and the Lexus RX 350 or Subaru Outback for a crossover/wagon-like alternative. The best alternative depends on your priorities, such as luxury, price, performance, or body style.
Luxury and premium sedans
- Lexus ES: A strong competitor, especially the hybrid model, offering a nicer interior and a more traditional luxury feel, though it lacks the Crown's standard all-wheel drive and high-riding stance.
- Genesis G70 and G80: Offer a premium experience with more power, but lack a hybrid powertrain option.
More traditional or budget-friendly sedans
- Toyota Camry (Hybrid): A more affordable, fuel-efficient option that shares a hybrid powertrain with the Crown but is a lower-riding sedan.
- Honda Accord (Hybrid): Another comfortable and fuel-efficient sedan that does not offer all-wheel drive or the Crown's higher seating position.
Crossover and wagon alternatives
- Lexus RX 350: A more powerful and spacious SUV that shares some luxury features with the Crown, but is a more traditional luxury crossover.
- Subaru Outback: Offers more practicality and some off-road capability, but has lower fuel economy than the Crown.
What to consider when choosing
- Budget: The Camry and Accord are significantly less expensive than the Crown, while the Lexus ES and RX are often similarly priced or more expensive depending on the trim.
- Body style: The Crown's unique high-riding sedan design is its defining feature. If you need more traditional SUV space, consider the RX or Outback. If you prefer a classic sedan, the ES or Camry are better choices.
- Performance: The Crown's performance-oriented hybrid powertrain is unique. If you need more power, the Genesis G80 or Lexus RX 350 are better options. If you are not interested in performance, the Accord or Camry may be more than adequate.
