Is the Toyota Crown considered a luxury car?
The Toyota Crown is a long-running model that has been produced by the Japanese automaker since 1955. While the Crown was once considered a luxury vehicle, its status as a luxury car has evolved over the years. In recent times, the Toyota Crown has been positioned more as a premium, upscale offering rather than a true luxury car.
The History of the Toyota Crown
The Toyota Crown was first introduced in 1955 as the company's flagship sedan. It was designed to be a high-end, premium vehicle that would compete with luxury cars from other Japanese manufacturers as well as imports from the United States and Europe. Over the decades, the Crown has undergone numerous redesigns and model changes, but it has maintained its position as one of Toyota's most prestigious and well-appointed vehicles.
The Crown's Luxury Credentials
The Toyota Crown has traditionally been equipped with features and amenities that are typically associated with luxury cars, such as leather upholstery, wood trim, advanced infotainment systems, and powerful engines. However, as the luxury car market has evolved, the Crown has faced increasing competition from other premium brands, both domestic and foreign.
The Crown's Current Positioning
In recent years, Toyota has positioned the Crown as a more upscale, premium offering rather than a true luxury car. While the Crown still features high-end materials and advanced technology, it is priced and marketed as a more affordable alternative to traditional luxury sedans. This positioning has allowed the Crown to maintain its appeal to consumers who want a well-appointed, premium vehicle without the higher price tag of a luxury brand.
Conclusion
In summary, the Toyota Crown has a long history as a premium, upscale vehicle, but its status as a true luxury car has evolved over time. While the Crown still offers many luxury-like features and amenities, it is now positioned more as a premium, upscale offering rather than a direct competitor to traditional luxury sedans. The Crown's combination of quality, features, and value has allowed it to maintain its appeal to consumers who want a well-appointed vehicle without the higher price tag of a luxury brand.
Which Toyota is considered luxury?
Toyota's luxury car brand is Lexus, but a new, ultra-luxury Century brand is being established to sit above Lexus and compete with brands like Rolls-Royce and Bentley. Lexus has been Toyota's primary luxury brand, sharing some components with Toyota vehicles, while the new Century brand aims to offer even higher-end, exclusive models.
Lexus
- Role: Toyota's established luxury car brand, which has historically served as the company's premium offering.
- Shared components: Shares some parts with Toyota vehicles.
Century
- Role: A new, ultra-luxury brand that will be positioned above Lexus.
- Goal: To compete on a global scale with ultra-luxury brands like Rolls-Royce and Bentley.
- Models: Includes models like the exclusive Century sedan and an upcoming SUV, which may be available globally and will feature handcrafted luxury and exclusive features.
- Exclusivity: Emphasizes exclusivity through low-volume production and "one of one" customization options.
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.
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 Toyota Crown a luxury brand?
Luxury Features Without the Premium Price
The Toyota Crown checks all these boxes while maintaining Toyota's reputation for reliability and value. With features like a plush interior, heated and ventilated seats, a panoramic sunroof, and high-end materials, the Crown certainly feels like a luxury sedan.
