Toyota Finally Fixes the Crown Crossover’s Biggest Visual Flaw

Toyota has just released the first official images of the updated 2027 Crown Crossover in Japan, and the changes are more than skin deep. Set for a full debut in mid-September, the four-year-old model gets a mild styling refresh, a slightly stronger hybrid system, and a handful of equipment updates.

But the biggest news is that Toyota is finally addressing the design element that drew the most complaints when the high-riding fastback first launched in 2022.

The most noticeable update is a complete rethinking of the two-tone paint scheme. On the original car, the blacked-out sections felt disjointed. For 2027, the A-pillars, roof, hood, mirrors, and side moldings all wear black, flowing seamlessly from the front bumper to the D-pillars.

The rear then flips to a body-colored finish, paired with a redesigned bumper and horizontal reflectors. The result is a sharper, more cohesive look. Toyota is also swapping the old Black paint for a new Neutral Black, and changing the lower body cladding from unpainted plastic to glossy Piano Black.

RS trims now come with red brake calipers as standard.

Inside, the cabin remains largely the same, but a few features have been shuffled. The Cold Weather Pack and paddle shifters become standard across the lineup, while the emergency spare tire and digital rearview mirror are dropped. Z and RS trims add a digital key, and the smart key fob gets a darker Gray Metallic finish.

Under the hood, leaked dealer information suggests the base hybrid moves to a fifth-generation system. 5-liter engine pairs with a stronger electric motor, boosting total output by 5 hp to 236 hp. 4-liter setup carries over unchanged at 344 hp. Official specs and pricing arrive mid-September.

The current Japanese range starts at roughly $31,800. -spec Crown will get the same updates for 2027.