An Overseas Classic: the Toyota Crown
Though rarely seen in the U.S., the Toyota Crown is the longest-running passenger model in Toyota’s history.
Written by Allison Stone
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
In the states,
Toyota
is one of the most popular choices for new car buyers
, but how did the brand build such a longstanding global reputation for making such reliable and affordable cars? It’s all thanks, at least in part, to the Toyota Crown. While you might not often see the Toyota Crown on American streets, the mid-size luxury vehicle is actually the longest-running model in Toyota’s passenger car history.
Dive into the Toyota Crown’s legacy with the car ownership experts at Jerry.
Why the Toyota Crown was so groundbreaking
Autoevolution.com
reported that the Toyota Crown is now in its fifteenth generation. In terms of age, it just barely lost out to the Land Cruiser, which was first produced in 1951 as a military vehicle. The Toyota Crown helped not only solidify Toyota’s status as a legendary automaker, but its success also bolstered the entire Japanese automotive market as one to watch.
According to
Toyota UK Magazine
, the Crown was the first passenger car to be developed and built entirely in Japan.From success at home to success abroad
The first generation of the Toyota Crown was launched in Japan in 1955 and was in production until 1962. The original Crown took styling cues from the Toyota AA but was adapted to more adequately meet the needs of Japan’s developing roads system.
It was equipped with a 1.5-liter 48bhp R-series engine and a three-speed manual transmission linked to a column shift mechanism. The bench front and rear seats could accommodate six total passengers.
The comfort and durability of the Crown were so well-executed that it was quickly adopted by everyone from wealthy businessmen to government agencies and even taxi firms.
The Crown Deluxe model quickly followed, featuring bonuses like standard-fit radio and a heater as well as a 55bhp version of the R-series engine.
While the Crown was thriving in Japanese markets, Toyota was looking to expand to the rest of the world. In 1957, the Crown became the first Japanese-built car to enter the 10,000-mile Round Australia Rally. It even scored third place, to the surprise of many foreign rivals.
The Toyota Crown’s history in the U.S.
Toyota chose the Crown to be its first vehicle exported to the United States market in 1957, but it lacked the engine power necessary to drive on U.S. highways. Toyota temporarily suspended exports in 1960 before relaunching an improved model.
The first four generations of the Crown continued to be exported to North America until 1973, but it was replaced by Corona Mark II.
The Crown nameplate is making its way back to U.S. markets, but it's going to look very different than the last time we saw it.
According to Green Car Congress
, the new Toyota Crown will be available in three trims: XLE, Limited, and Platinum, and buyers will have the choice of two different hybrid powertrains including the HYBRID MAX. The HYBRID MAX is a hybrid performance powertrain that produces an estimated 340 net horsepower.
How to get a good deal on car insurance
Whether you’re browsing auction listings for a vintage imported Toyota Crown or you’re anxiously anticipating the new generation, you’re going to need
car insurance
. For the best rates, try using the Jerry app. A licensed broker,
Jerry
can source quotes from 55+ top insurance companies in less than 60 seconds. That’s right, in under a minute you’ll see offers from Travelers, Progressive, and more! The average user saves over $800 per year on car insurance.
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