Toyota Avalon vs Toyota Crown

The 2021 Toyota Avalon presented a mixed bag in terms of aesthetics. While its overall design was appealing, the front-bumper styling, particularly the grille, drew mixed reactions. Many versions of the Avalon appeared as if they had a face full of braces, especially with the blacked-out mesh grille on the XSE trim, which seemed to mimic a toothless grin. Despite this, the Avalon's long and low styling was generally well-received, offering a sleek look from any angle. The interior, however, was a different story. It featured artfully stitched leather seats and real wood trim in the Limited model, creating an ambiance that was more special than a Camry but not quite as luxurious as a Lexus ES. The interior design was sophisticated, with a centre control panel that swept up dramatically, integrating air vents within an arc of trim. However, some interior plastics felt inexpensive for a car in this price range.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Crown stood out with its elevated ride height and distinctive styling. Its massive grille, although mostly aesthetic, was complemented by angular wraparound headlights, giving the front end a sporty aggression. The Crown's side profile was enhanced by large wheels and a black trim piece along the doors, while the rear featured a bold taillight strip. The interior was modern, with a digital instrument panel and a large horizontal touchscreen. The cabin mixed hard plastics with cushioned touchpoints, and while it could have benefited from improved surface graining, it still felt like a fancier Toyota. The Crown's design was bold, especially with the two-tone colour option on the Platinum trim, which added a touch of audacity to its overall look.

The 2021 Toyota Avalon offered two powertrains in Canada. The Limited trim featured a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 205 horsepower and 185 pound-feet of torque, paired with an AWD system. While this setup provided decent performance, it wasn't particularly thrilling. The standard 301-hp 3.5-litre V6 engine, available with FWD, offered a more engaging driving experience. The Avalon AWD weighed 1,681 kilograms and felt lively enough, with an eight-speed automatic transmission ensuring quick launches and safe freeway merges. However, the AWD was limited to the Limited trim, and switching to Sport mode mainly increased engine revs and fuel consumption. The Avalon displayed predictable handling traits, comfortable ride quality, and a quiet cabin, except for noticeable tire slap over road imperfections.

The 2023 Toyota Crown offered two hybrid powertrains. The base XLE trim featured a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine paired with a hybrid electric motor, delivering 236 horsepower. The Platinum trim offered the Hybrid Max powertrain, combining a turbocharged 2.4-litre engine with a more powerful rear electric motor, producing 340 horsepower. The base hybrid used a CVT, while the Hybrid Max had a six-speed automatic transmission. The Crown's ride quality was tuned for comfort, with the Platinum trim adding an adaptive suspension. The cabin remained quiet, though engine drone was noticeable. The Crown's performance was adequate for most drivers, with the Hybrid Max offering quicker acceleration.

The 2021 Toyota Avalon, though larger than a Camry, felt similar in size to a Honda Accord. The Avalon Limited featured eight-way power-adjustable front seats with genuine leather upholstery, heated and ventilated cushions, and a heated steering wheel. However, the seats could benefit from improved side bolstering and a power-extending thigh bolster. Rear-seat space was generous, with heated rear-seat cushions adding comfort. The Avalon offered ample storage space in the centre console and a roomy 456-litre trunk, though it lacked a grab handle for easy closure.

The 2023 Toyota Crown's base XLE trim featured fabric seat upholstery with SofTex faux-leather trim, while the Platinum trim offered full leather coverings. The front seats were comfortable for long trips, though firm cushioning could cause discomfort over time. The Crown provided ample rear-seat space, with a large panoramic sunroof enhancing the sense of space. The trunk, though limited to 360 litres, was practical with remote releases for the rear seatbacks. The Crown's interior offered adequate storage, with a convenient dual-hinged centre console armrest and a vertical phone tray with a wireless charging pad.

The 2021 Toyota Avalon came with a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto compatibility. The upgrade infotainment system added dynamic navigation and voice recognition, along with a 14-speaker JBL premium sound system. The user interface was intuitive, though the JBL system required fine-tuning for optimal sound quality. The Avalon also featured a 10-inch colour head-up display, though it was faint when wearing polarized sunglasses.

The 2023 Toyota Crown featured a 12.3-inch multimedia infotainment touchscreen with sharp graphics and quick responses. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with a wireless charging pad. The base audio system was adequate, with an 11-speaker JBL premium system available. The infotainment system benefited from OTA updates, and a new voice-recognition system could control various functions. A digital key feature was standard on the Platinum trim, allowing smartphone access to the vehicle.

The 2021 Toyota Avalon included Toyota Safety Sense-P, offering adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and automatic high beams. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard, with a surround-view camera system and parking assist sonar available. The Avalon earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and top scores from the IIHS, though it was ineligible for a "Top Safety Pick" award due to poor headlight performance on lower trims.

The 2023 Toyota Crown's safety features included frontal and cross-traffic collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and traffic-sign recognition. The Platinum trim added a semi-automated parallel parking system. The adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist were well-tuned, though some new features were intrusive. Crash test results from the NHTSA and IIHS were not available at the time of publication.