The Alluring Design of the New-Generation Crown

This time, I had the opportunity to test drive a Toyota Crown Sport purchased by a car enthusiast friend.
This car is a new model that stands apart from the traditional Crown with its strikingly innovative design, attracting a lot of attention.

Even from a distance, its captivating presence immediately caught my eye.

“It’s really cool.” That was my honest first impression. This was no mere polite compliment, but a genuine feeling that an amazing car was right in front of me.

Regarding the design, some say it resembles the Ferrari Purosangue, but personally, I feel the Crown’s design is more cohesive. While the Purosangue gives a slightly stretched impression, the Crown Sport feels more solid and compact. If you swapped the badges, you might still say, “Wow, Ferrari is amazing!”

What especially caught my eye were the 21-inch large wheels.

They tighten the overall impression of the car and add a sense of luxury.
Furthermore, the use of Michelin’s e.Primacy tires is commendable. It’s rare for a domestic car to choose Michelin over cheap domestic tires aimed at cost-cutting, which is a refreshing choice.

The e.Primacy tires are also used on the Model 3. They don’t offer much grip but have very low rolling resistance, are quiet, and provide a comfortable ride.

Sophisticated Interior and Comfort

Looking inside, I was first surprised by the high quality of the seats.
Unlike the typical soft, flat seats often found in domestic cars, these have a firm, three-dimensional shape. The seat cushions offer just the right firmness and hold, making them comfortable even for long drives.

The dashboard and steering wheel design combine luxury and freshness without sacrificing usability.
It’s a legacy-style layout, not trying to be flashy. Anyone can use the interface without confusion, reflecting Toyota’s conservatively good design.
The shift lever operation follows a conventional pattern, making it intuitive to use.

This is the exact opposite of Tesla.
The Crown’s interface was designed by listening to users, while Tesla imposes what it believes is the best interface on users. The approaches couldn’t be more different. This is definitely a matter of personal preference.

Surprising Suspension and Ride Comfort

The most impressive aspect of the Crown Sport’s driving performance was its suspension.

Compared to previous Crowns, it’s no exaggeration to say it’s a world apart.
Older Crowns lacked rigidity; on the highway, a slightly sporty steering input would cause the rear to lag noticeably. I remember being shocked back then, thinking, “Are domestic cars still at this level?”
However, the new Crown Sport is completely different. While not quite at the level of German cars, it has a very solid suspension. Its firmness is somewhat close to the Tesla Model 3 Highland.

The suspension offers moderate softness but has a firm core. You could call it a “Sanuki Udon-style suspension.”
Unlike the old Crown, it doesn’t feel mushy or wobbly but has just the right rigidity. This level should feel just right for those accustomed to European cars.

That said, nitpicking a bit, possibly due to the 21-inch wheels, the “clunk-clunk” noise over bumps was somewhat noticeable.
If this car didn’t carry the “Crown” name, it wouldn’t be an issue at all, but since it does, I wish the noise control was a bit better. I think smaller wheels under 20 inches might have offered a quieter and smoother ride.
However, that might compromise the current impressive design. It’s a tough choice.

At town speeds, the ride is extremely comfortable with no complaints.
Compared to the Tesla Model 3, it lacks the smooth rolling and slickness, but I believe this is largely due to the large tires rather than the car itself.
When you pick up speed and take medium-speed corners, there’s a slight feeling of being top-heavy, and the body moves a bit more side to side.
I’d like a flatter posture like a European car, but if it were any stiffer, it might alienate the Crown’s typical user base, so this balance is probably just right.

Issues More About Feel Than Power

The Crown Sport is equipped with a 2.5-liter hybrid system. It starts quietly and smoothly with the electric motor. However, the motor’s torque feels somewhat lacking. While you can’t expect the pure electric power of a Tesla, I’d like a more direct and lively launch, like Mercedes’ mild hybrids.

What bothered me most while driving was the powertrain’s feel. When you press the accelerator, the engine starts immediately. The problem is that the engine sound and speed increase don’t match. Even as the engine revs rise, the speed doesn’t increase proportionally, giving a sensation of acceleration lagging by about two beats. I found myself pressing the accelerator more than necessary because it didn’t accelerate as expected, which ironically worsened fuel economy.

Honestly, it felt similar to the old Prius powertrain, lacking a direct connection between engine/motor and tires. This is the opposite of Tesla, which offers a thrilling driving feel where even slight right-foot movements give you precise control. Unfortunately, that kind of driving pleasure was missing here.

This is likely due to the CVT (continuously variable transmission) characteristics, but as a car bearing the “Sport” name, there’s room for improvement.
It’s not about outright speed or power but about a more direct acceleration response that faithfully follows the driver’s intent.

Regarding engine noise, considering the Crown’s luxury status, it might be better to improve quietness during engine start and rev-up. Maybe they intentionally let the engine sound be heard to emphasize sportiness, but since it doesn’t correlate with speed, it feels counterproductive. If it were as quiet as the old Windom—where you can barely tell if the engine is running—it would add to the luxury feel.

Driver Assistance Systems and Overall Impression

The Crown Sport comes equipped with a driver assistance system called Proactive Driving Assist [PDA].

It helps by automatically applying brakes according to the speed of the car ahead, among other functions. This is similar to the regenerative braking control when set to AUTO on the Porsche Taycan.
This feature is very useful for those who lack confidence in driving or prioritize comfort. It also includes lane departure warnings, forward collision alerts, and various other safety features.

In summary, the Crown Sport is an excellent car for city driving and commuting. According to the owner, it achieves an impressive fuel economy of over 20 km/L, making it economical.
However, as a model bearing the “Sport” name, the only area I felt could be improved was the powertrain’s feel rather than its performance.

For a car in the 6 million yen class, it’s sufficiently attractive, but those seeking a sportier driving feel might want to consider other options.
The only issue I found with this car was the powertrain’s feel; otherwise, especially regarding suspension, ride comfort, and design, it’s an excellent car that deserves high marks.