- The Toyota Crown Estate is the fourth member of the Crown lineup in the Japanese market.
- The SUV looks identical to the US-spec Crown Signia but offers unique optional accessories.
- The Crown Estate is available with a PHEV option, offering 55 miles of electric-only range.
Toyota has finally launched the Crown Estate in Japan, more than a year after the nearly identical Crown Signia debuted in North America. This model blends the best of a wagon and an SUV, and offers a choice between a hybrid or a plug-in hybrid powertrain.
With the launch of the Crown Estate in Japan, the full Toyota Crown lineup is now complete, adding to the Crossover, Sport, and Sedan models. Of all these variants, the Estate is probably the one you’ll actually want if practicality is your thing. Measuring 194.1 inches (4,930 mm) long, 74 inches (1,880 mm) wide, and 64 inches (1,625 mm) tall, it sits comfortably between the RAV4 and Harrier in Toyota’s Japanese lineup—think of it as the “middle child” of the bunch.
More: Toyota Debuts Surprise Crown Crossover Four-Door Convertible One-Off
Visually, the Japanese-spec Crown Estate closely mirrors the design of the US-spec Crown Signia, featuring the signature hammerhead-style front. The only noticeable difference is the absence of amber indicators and the rear badging.
Inside, you’ll find a familiar digital cockpit with dual 12.3-inch displays and a steering wheel adorned with the Crown emblem. The SUV offers a five-seater layout and a 570-liter (20.1 cubic feet) boot. For even more space, the rear bench can fold flat, expanding the cargo capacity to 1,470 liters (51.9 cubic feet).
Furthermore, an optional pull-out deck chair and table make it more suitable for outdoor activities, especially when combined with the available soft luggage mat. Keep in mind, though, that these camping-friendly features aren’t available for the US-spec Crown Signia. The same goes for the sporty body kit and eye-catching 21-inch wheels by Modellista, which are offered as optional extras in Japan.
The color palette offers five solid options, plus five two-tone finishes. The exclusive Precious Metal and Massive Gray combo is available only on the Crown Estate PHEV, paired with distinct 21-inch alloy wheels. Inside, Toyota presents three upholstery choices: Black, Saddle Tan, and a nostalgic Grayish Blue with vintage-style cloud patterns.
PHEV Option With A 55-Mile EV Range
As with the rest of the Crown lineup, the Estate rides on the TNGA-K architecture, featuring adaptive variable suspension and Dynamic Rear Steering for greater comfort and maneuverability. However, unlike the Crown Signia, which is exclusively available with a self-charging hybrid system, the Crown Estate offers the option of a plug-in hybrid setup.
More: Toyota Working On Mystery Electric Pickup
Both the HEV and the PHEV powertrains feature a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter gasoline engine aided by dual electric motors offering all-wheel-drive (E-Four). The ICE alone produces 188 hp (190 PS) in the hybrid and 174 hp (177 PS) in the plug-in hybrid. The front electric motor offers approximately 50% more power compared to the Crown Crossover and Crown Sport, generating 180 hp (182 PS), while the rear electric motor is good for 53 hp (54 PS).
The big difference is that the plug-in hybrid is equipped with a larger 51 Ah lithium-ion battery allowing up to 89 km (55 miles) of EV-only range, according to the WLTC standards. The battery pack is mounted under the floor so interior space over the HEV is not compromised.
Fuel efficiency is pretty solid, with Toyota claiming 47 mpg (5 lt/100 km) for the HEV and 47.75 mpg (4.9 lt/100 km) for the PHEV.
The Toyota Crown Estate is already available for order in Japan, with the hybrid version starting at ¥6,350,000 ($42,900). The plug-in hybrid comes in at ¥8,100,000 ($54,700). For reference, the US-spec Toyota Crown Signia (HEV) starts at $43,590.