Will the Toyota Crown be a plug-in hybrid?
For now, no. As of late 2024 and continuing into 2025, Toyota has not announced or released a plug-in hybrid version of the Crown for sale in major markets. The Crown remains available in hybrid configurations (HEV) and turbo-hybrid variants in different regions, but a PHEV variant has not been confirmed.
The question reflects broader electrification trends in the auto industry and the Crown’s evolving role in Toyota’s lineup. Here’s a look at what’s currently offered, what Toyota has publicly stated, and what might be ahead for this flagship sedan.
Current Crown powertrains and markets
Below is a snapshot of the Crown’s electrified options by market and the absence of a plug-in variant in current offerings.
- United States and other major markets: The Crown is sold with a hybrid propulsion system connected to a turbocharged or otherwise efficient gas engine, paired with electric motors. It operates as a traditional hybrid (HEV) and does not have a plug-in charging capability.
- Japan and regional markets: The Crown lineup primarily consists of hybrid variants (HEV) designed for efficiency and performance, with no official plug-in hybrid version announced for sale as of 2024/2025.
- Europe and select regions: Availability is limited and typically centers on HEV configurations rather than plug-in hybrids; no Crown PHEV has been introduced in these markets to date.
Conclusion: Across the major markets where the Crown is sold, Toyota has prioritized hybrid technology without a plug-in option for this model as of the current period.
Toyota’s stance on Crown electrification
Company communications emphasize the Crown as a flagship hybrid sedan focused on luxury, comfort, and efficient performance. There has been no official confirmation of a Crown plug-in hybrid in the near term. Toyota’s broader electrification push includes PHEVs and BEVs in other models, but the Crown’s product plans have not included a PHEV variant for sale as of 2024/2025.
Key points from official notes and public statements include:
- The Crown is positioned around hybrid technology rather than plug-in charging capabilities for its current generation.
- Toyota is expanding electrified options across its line, but Crown-specific PHEV announcements have not occurred.
- Any future Crown PHEV would depend on market demand, regulatory timelines, and product roadmaps, none of which have been publicly confirmed yet.
Conclusion: There is no official Crown PHEV in Toyota’s current public roadmap for the near term, though broader electrification efforts continue across the lineup.
What to expect next for the Crown
Industry trends and regulatory pressure toward electrification could influence future variants of the Crown. While a plug-in hybrid remains a topic of industry chatter, Toyota has not released any formal plans or timelines for a Crown PHEV. Watch for official updates from Toyota as markets evolve and demand shifts.
- Potential signals to watch: Toyota’s broader rollout of PHEVs in other models, regulatory deadlines, and shifts in Crown market strategy.
- Operational considerations: A Crown PHEV would require a larger battery, charging infrastructure in key markets, and a packaging/weight balance that preserves the Crown’s luxury positioning.
- Market factors: Consumer appetite for premium PHEVs and the availability of charging networks could influence any decision to offer a Crown PHEV.
Conclusion: At present, no Crown PHEV is confirmed; any future plug-in variant would depend on strategic, regulatory, and market developments beyond today’s announcements.
Summary
The Toyota Crown is not currently offered as a plug-in hybrid in major markets. It remains available in HEV or turbo-hybrid configurations, with no official PHEV variant announced for sale as of 2024/2025. Toyota continues to push electrification across its lineup, but the Crown’s electrified future, including the potential for a PHEV, has not been publicly confirmed. For buyers and observers, the Crown’s appeal remains rooted in hybrid efficiency and luxury styling rather than plug-in charging capabilities.
Does the Toyota Crown have a plug-in hybrid?
No, the standard Toyota Crown sold in the U.S. is not a plug-in hybrid; it is a regular hybrid. However, other Crown models, such as the Crown Estate and Crown Sport available in markets like Japan, are offered as plug-in hybrids (PHEV). The U.S. model is available with a standard hybrid and the Hybrid MAX powertrain, but not a plug-in option.
- U.S. Market: The Toyota Crown available in the U.S. is a traditional hybrid. It does not have a plug-in feature, and the battery is recharged through driving and braking.
- Other Markets: Other versions of the Crown, such as the Crown Estate and Crown Sport, are available as plug-in hybrids in regions like Japan.
- Potential for future PHEV in U.S.: Some reports suggest that a plug-in hybrid Crown variant might be introduced in the U.S. in the future.
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.
Does the Toyota Crown need to be charged?
Hybrid Electric Vehicles start, refuel and handle like the gas-only Toyotas you already know and love—just with better mpg ratings. Even though they run on a combination of gas and battery-powered electric motor(s), they don't use a plug to charge their battery.
Does the Toyota Crown have to be plugged in?
The Toyota Crown has all of the features and comfortable interior you know and love about Toyota, but with an electric motor powered by a plug-in battery.
