Toyota Crown Gets a Serious Upgrade for 2027: More Power, Sharper Looks, and Paddle Shifters

Toyota took the wraps off the 2027 Crown this week, and the changes run deeper than a fresh coat of paint. Three of the four trim levels, XLE, Limited, and Nightshade, now come with the company’s fifth-generation hybrid system, and all four grades get standard paddle shifters. That gives the Crown’s crossover-sedan shape a more driver-focused feel than before.

4-liter turbo engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Adaptive Variable Suspension is now standard on Platinum, along with red brake calipers that signal Toyota’s intent to position this trim as the performance leader. 5-liter four-cylinder with front and rear electric motors, and it still delivers an EPA-estimated 40 mpg combined.

The big news under the hood is a smarter brake setup that blends regenerative and hydraulic braking more smoothly, recovering more energy without the grabby feel of earlier systems. Paddle shifters let drivers step through simulated gears, adding engagement that was missing before.

On the outside, every 2027 Crown gets a reshaped rear bumper for a crisper profile, and the badges now wear a satin finish instead of chrome. A new color called Inked joins the lineup, and the Platinum’s two-tone scheme has been revised so the trunk matches the body color, making the black roof pop more intentionally.

Inside, Limited grade gets standard Saddle Tan seats, and Platinum offers that color as an option. The Limited trim also picks up a Panoramic View Monitor, Traffic Jam Assist, and Digital Key as standard equipment, features that used to cost extra. 3-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a digital gauge cluster.

The Crown is built at Toyota’s Tsutsumi Plant in Japan; pricing hasn’t been announced yet.