Toyota has launched the 2024 Crown Sport SUV in Japan

Back in 2022, the sixteenth-generation of the Toyota Crown sedan was unveiled to the world along with news that Toyota was adding three more body styles to the nameplate. The lifted Crown Crossover is already on sale in the USA, and next to debut is the oddball of the Crown lineup. 

Over in Japan, the Toyota Crown Sport has just launched recently, and unlike its other stablemates with clear-cut roles like the crossover, sedan, and estate, the Crown Sport doesn’t have that going for it. To be completely honest, despite Toyota calling it an SUV, we’re still confused about whether it’s an actual crossover SUV or just a wagon with high heels. However, since Toyota calls it an SUV, we’ll just go with that.

Starting with the dimensions, at approximately 4,727 mm in length, 1,880 mm in width, and 1,565 mm in height, the Crown Sport is shorter in length, wider in width, and taller in height when compared to the 2024 Crown Crossover sold in the US. The wheelbase spans about 2,769 mm, making it just over 76 mm shorter than the crossover model. It features large 21-inch wheels and benefits from rear independent suspension, as well as rear-wheel steering, finely calibrated for its specific application.

The Toyota Crown Sport is offered with a choice between two powertrain options. The first is a self-charging hybrid, incorporating the 2.5-liter E-Four Parallel Hybrid System derived from the Crown Crossover, which yields a combined output of 231 hp. This power is distributed to all four wheels through an electric 4WD system.

As for the plug-in hybrid variant, Toyota has not divulged detailed specifications yet but has hinted at an extended electric vehicle (EV) range. This improvement is made possible by a new "large-capacity lithium-ion battery," cleverly designed to not take up precious cabin space.

As per the Japanese automaker, the TNGA platform that serves as the foundation for the Crown Sport has undergone meticulous tuning to provide an "enjoyable driving experience," with a strong emphasis on deepening the connection between the driver and the vehicle. Of course, it would not make sense to bestow the name “sport” to a sluggish car in this day and age. To elevate its agility, the SUV incorporates the Dynamic Rear Steering (DRS) system, a system that allows the rear wheels of the car to move in tandem with the front wheels for tighter turns through corners.

Lastly, we’ve got the looks. The profile of the Crown Sport is characterized by its sculpted bodywork and well-defined rear fenders that accentuate the presence of the 21-inch alloy wheels. The rear design maintains a sporty aesthetic, featuring horizontally arranged LED taillights, a sleek and sharply inclined rear windshield, and vertical outlets integrated into the rear bumper. Customers have the opportunity to choose from a palette of six exterior colors and five bi-tone combinations for the SUV. These selections can be matched with the new interior option, which offers a blend of Sand Brown and Black.

Turning our attention to the cabin, this latest crossover introduces the company's inaugural sound-regulating ceiling designed to "reflect sounds within the cabin." As anticipated, the interior remains largely consistent, with evident adjustments made to accommodate the transition from a sedan to a crossover body style. It retains the dual 12.3-inch screen and incorporates all the technological features found in the North American variant.

Since the Crown Sport has made its debut in Japan, the next on Toyota’s list is the Crown Sedan which will launch by November. The Crown Estate will be the last of the bunch, making its debut in 2024 next year.