Never imagined a Crown so full of exhilaration
The RS “Landscape”, an off-road-flavoured special edition of the Crown Crossover, was announced by Toyota in April 2024 at the same time as a partial upgrade of the Crown Crossover. Mr. Hiromi Takeda, a former employee of a car importer and a writer who has always been in the field of imported cars and has never had much contact with domestic cars, was the first person to even drive the new Crown, but he could not help but be surprised by its performance and capabilities. Here is a report from the point of view of an overseas luxury car specialist.
Immaculate hybrid performance
Although the Toyota Crown Crossover is now a familiar sight on the streets, nearly two years after its debut in 2022, I was somewhat taken aback when I first came face to face with the RS ‘Landscape’ for the first time.
The RS Landscape features the same exclusive Black and Urban Khaki body color as the RAV4 and other models, and over wings painted in GORI GORI BLACK. The Crown Crossover has been customized with bright red mudguards, giving it an even more outdoorsy feel to the SUV-like atmosphere it already exudes, but as an indoor person, I found it to be quite a formidable opponent.
When I got back into the cabin and drove it slowly along a narrow residential street, I found that it was much easier to drive than I had imagined from its aggressive appearance, and despite its large size (4930 mm long x 1880 mm wide x 1565 mm high), it was very easy to drive. It is very easy to drive.
Additionally, the torque demand of the electric motor is very natural from the start, and the car starts moving with a gentle yet powerful. Even after the car starts running, the transition between the electric driving range and engine start-up is surprisingly smooth, which is impressive considering that Toyota has been working on strong hybrids for nearly 30 years, since the first-generation Prius.
And when I enter the motorway and step on the accelerator pedal through the gate, it’s so refreshing that I want to mumble, “Oh?!”
The Dual Boost Hybrid System, which is installed in each high-performance model of the new Crown, including the RS “Landscape”, is powered by an in-line 4-cylinder 2.4-liter turbo engine that produces 272 hp maximum output and 460 Nm maximum torque, It combines an electric motor that produces 82.9 hp/292 Nm at the front and 80.2 hp/169 Nm of power and torque at the rear. The combined maximum system output is 349 hp, so it is no surprise that the car is fast, even if it weighs in at a very heavy 1910 kg.
The smooth and natural torque feel on ordinary roads remains unchanged even at higher speeds, and the entire body of the vehicle responds pleasantly to the throttle operation.
The only personal disappointment is that the sound of the in-line four-cylinder engine lacks any semblance of color, but this is no different in a car with a four-cylinder petrol-based powertrain, whether Mercedes-Benz or BMW.
In the modern era of trying to limit the sound emitted by ICEs as ‘noise’, I guess we have to draw the line at a certain point.
Transforming what it means to wear the crown
The Crown Crossover special edition RS “Landscape” has been lifted by 25 mm in terms of minimum ground clearance and overall height. The tires are specially developed all-terrain types, which are covered by bolted (wind) over wings and mudguards. It is also said to be equipped with a towing hitch under the rear bumper, which allows a towing load of up to 750 kg.
But despite the outdoor-oriented name Landscape and its wild looks, the ride was quite comfortable.
The car is equipped with 225/60R18 tires, which are thicker than the standard 225/45R21 specified for regular Crown Crossovers in this class nowadays. This special tire has a deep pattern not only on the tread side but also on the sidewall side, and although it has a rather rugged shape, road noise on the pavement is well insulated and there is no unpleasant bumping up at road joints, allowing the driver to enjoy a very refined driving feel.
On the other hand, the suspension, which has been lifted by 25 mm, might affect the handling on paved roads, but at least as long as you drive at speeds within the bounds of common sense around curves on the Metropolitan Highway, you won’t even feel any signs of breakdown, and in fact, the car enjoyably performs corner work.
While there is no doubt that the actual chassis rigidity is at a considerable level, the core is stiff but supple, rather than emphasizing rigidity as in German cars. The image of Toyota’s new-generation Crown can be felt in the suspension tuning, which does not neglect both comfort and agility.
The RS “Landscape” is the first Crown crossover for the Japanese market to offer a 60:40 boot-through function, but like the standard version, it abandons the hatch gate that integrates the rear window and boot lid. The reason for this is that the comfort of the rear seat occupants was of paramount importance.
4-door saloon despite its wild appearance
What this test drive has revealed is that even if it is a landscape version with a wild appearance, the essence of the Crown Crossover is that it is a ‘four-door saloon’. While the Crown Sport is an option for those seeking the practicality of a hatchback, the Crown Sedan, which is FR-based and aims to maintain a mainstream conservative style, and the Crown Crossover, which is a new-generation saloon with SUV-like elements, are carefully differentiated.
This discernment of division can be felt as a luxurious choice only possible with the new Crown, which is offered in four models, including the Crown Estate.
For example, those of us who loved the costly Crowns of yesteryear may feel a little saddened by the slightly plasticky interior. However, I would like to say that at least the ride quality is at a very high level.
So, it would not be surprising at all if European car fans, who have been loyal to, for example, the three premium German car brands, decide to switch to this car.
The Crown Crossover is a departure from the traditional “Crown” and looks to the present and the future. In particular, the RS “Landscape”, which expressed this worldview in an even more extreme manner, seemed to be a touchstone that attempted to ensure that the Crown brand values cultivated over many years would not be lost on the next generation.
Test Drive Vehicle Specifications
■TOYOTA Crown Crossover RS “Landscape”
Overall length: 4930 mm
Overall width: 1880 mm
Height: 1565 mm
Wheelbase: 2850 mm
Vehicle weight: 1910kg
Engine type: turbo in-line four-cylinder
Displacement: 2393cc
Engine arrangement: Front
Drive train: full-time 4WD
Transmission: 6-speed AT
Engine maximum power: 272ps/6000rpm
Maximum torque: 460Nm/2000-3000rpm
Maximum front motor power: 82.9ps
Maximum front motor torque: 292Nm
Maximum rear motor power: 80.2ps
Maximum rear motor torque: 169Nm
Maximum system power: 349ps
Nominal fuel consumption (WLTC): 15.7km/L
Luggage capacity: 450 liters
Fuel tank capacity: 55 liters
Suspension: (Front) MacPherson struts, (Rear) multi-link
Brakes: (Front) ventilated disc, (Rear) ventilated disc
Tyres: (front) 245/60R18, (rear) 245/40R18
translated by DeepL