2027 Toyota Crown: New Hybrid Tech Arrives, but Fuel Economy Doesn’t Improve

Toyota has updated the Crown for the 2027 model year, but the biggest change is hidden well beyond the reshaped rear bumper. The XLE, Limited and Nightshade grades now run the fifth-generation THS hybrid system and gain paddle shifters. Fuel economy didn’t improve, though: the rated 40 mpg combined works out to roughly 5.9 l/100 km, down from the 2026 model’s 41 mpg rating.

The standard setup pairs a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter engine with an electronically controlled CVT and motors at both axles. The rear motor engages only when needed, so every Crown trim remains all-wheel drive. Toyota hasn’t published output figures for the updated system, which makes it hard to compare its performance with the outgoing hybrid.

The Platinum keeps the more elaborate Hybrid MAX setup. A 2.4-liter turbo engine, two electric motors and a six-speed automatic combine for 340 hp and 542 Nm. This trim gets full-time electronic AWD, adaptive dampers, rear-wheel steering and a dedicated suspension mode tuned for rear-seat comfort.

Pricing for the Crown XLE starts at $41,640. The Limited is priced from $49,720, the Nightshade from $48,965, and the Platinum from $55,190. A separate $1,295 destination charge applies on top in the US.

The Limited now comes standard with a 360-degree camera system, blind-spot assist and traffic jam assist. Digital Key and Traffic Jam Assist require an active subscription and a 4G connection to work.

Toyota also reworked the rear bumper, added the black Inked color, and revised the Platinum’s two-tone paint scheme. The car is still built at the Tsutsumi plant in Japan. US warranty coverage runs eight years or 100,000 miles on hybrid components and ten years or 150,000 miles on the battery.