2027 Toyota Crown and Tundra: Performance, Comfort, and Battery Plans Clash
The Crown's hybrid loses mpg for power, the Platinum outruns its chassis, and the Tundra gains a big screen—while Toyota's next-gen batteries and the Accord Hybrid challenge the Crown's value.
Crown's standard hybrid gets a fifth-gen update, but the mpg number drops
Toyota's 2027 Crown XLE, Limited, and Nightshade switch to the company's fifth-generation hybrid system, pairing a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with a CVT and electric motors at both axles. Total output hasn't been announced; the outgoing 236-hp Crown Limited serves as the performance reference. The efficiency headline moves the wrong way: Toyota projects 40 mpg combined for the new setup, one mpg below the outgoing 41 mpg rating. The outgoing car's estimated 594-mile range remains a reference point. The system's promise is sharper everyday response rather than a large acceleration gain. For buyers, that means the same standard AWD and hybrid smoothness, but with a small fuel-economy sacrifice. The fifth-generation hardware is meant to feel more refined than the previous car's gritty, dull drive, though an instrumented test will show how much. For now, the XLE remains the entry point to a hybrid sedan that's close to class efficiency leaders, just not ahead of them.
- CategoryCrown hybrid
- Powertrain2.5L I-4 + CVT + AWD
- Efficiency40 mpg combined (pro
- Performance236-hp outgoing Lim
Platinum's 340-hp Hybrid Max is quick, but the chassis doesn't back it up
The Crown Platinum stacks a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with a six-speed automatic and electric motors to produce 340 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque. It reached 60 mph in 5.7 seconds in MotorTrend testing — genuinely quick for a sedan with AWD. The payoff comes at the pump: 29/32 mpg and an estimated 435-mile range. The Platinum rides on standard 21-inch wheels with red brake calipers, black window trim, and a revised two-tone paint treatment. But the adaptive suspension alternates between floaty and harsh, and steering is vague. Those 21-inch wheels don't help over broken pavement. At its price, the cabin lacks the leather-and-wood richness you'd expect from a near-luxury sedan. The powertrain is responsive, but the chassis can't fully support it. If straight-line acceleration matters more than ride comfort, this is the Crown to get; otherwise, the standard hybrid is the better daily.
- CategoryCrown Platinum
- Powertrain2.4L turbo + 6AT + h
- Efficiency29/32 mpg
- Performance0-60 in 5.7s
The Crown looks large but feels snug, especially for tall drivers
The Crown's substantial exterior dimensions make it look like a large sedan, but the cabin doesn't match that impression. The sloping roofline is the main issue, curving down to compromise rear headroom so that even with generous legroom, a tall rear passenger will feel the headliner close. Up front, taller occupants find the seating position snug, as the elevated hip point and sweeping dashboard create a cocooning effect that makes the interior feel narrower than the body suggests. The elevated seating position and easy entry height do aid visibility and simplify getting in and out, which is welcome, but the low roofline negates that benefit for rear-seat riders. In practice, this means the Crown feels more like a midsize sedan inside than the full-size exterior dimensions promise. The car looks larger and more practical than it actually is, so a buyer should physically test the front and rear seats before committing. That test is essential because the generous rear legroom cannot compensate for the headroom sacrificed to styling.
- CategoryCrown packaging
- DesignSloping roof
- ComfortGenerous rear legroom
- AccessElevated seating positio
Crash scores are strong, with one headlight exception on the XLE
The 2026 Crown (the most recently crash-tested model) earned Good ratings in nearly every IIHS evaluation; the only shortfall is an Acceptable for the XLE's headlights, while other trims got Good. NHTSA gave the Crown a five-star overall rating. Every 2027 Crown includes Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, which bundles front automatic emergency braking, rear and side cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high-beams. For 2027, the Limited gains Traffic Jam Assist as standard, and available extras include rear automatic braking, front cross-traffic alert, and lane change assist. The safety story is straightforward: the entire lineup protects well, but if you're choosing the base XLE and drive a lot at night, the headlight rating is the one spot to check.
- CategorySafety
- SafetyIIHS Good nearly all, NH
- HeadlightsXLE Acceptable
- Driver AssistanceToyota Safety
Crown's Standard Hybrid vs. Platinum: Efficiency vs. Performance
The Crown's two hybrid powertrains serve very different buyers, and the standard setup is the one most will prefer. The XLE, Limited, and Nightshade use a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with a CVT and electric motors, producing 236 hp in the previous model; Toyota hasn't announced output for the updated fifth-generation system but projects 40 mpg combined. That system delivers adequate acceleration—the older version hit 60 mph in 7.1 seconds—and a driving range of about 594 miles per tank. The Platinum dials up performance, reaching 60 mph in 5.7 seconds with 340 hp and 400 lb-ft, but that speed exacts a toll: efficiency drops to 29/32 mpg and range to roughly 435 miles. Its adaptive suspension, paired with standard 21-inch wheels, can alternate between floaty and harsh, betraying its sporty intentions. Meanwhile, the standard hybrid's longer range and smoother character—even if not fully refined—make it the more logical choice, especially given the Platinum's higher price. The Accord Hybrid, with 204 hp and front-drive, hits 60 mph in 6.8 seconds while returning better fuel economy, undercutting the Crown Limited's 7.1-second time.
- CategoryTundra Trailhunter
- TrimTundra Trailhunter (SR5-ba
- Off-roadOME suspension, lockin
- TiresMichelin LTX Trail 265/70
Tundra's 2027 refresh brings a standard 14-inch screen, dashcam, and 5G
The 2027 Tundra's cabin update is light, but the tech list isn't. The 14-inch infotainment touchscreen is now standard across the range, running Toyota's latest multimedia system with a 5G modem and AT&T Wi-Fi hotspot. A built-in dashcam uses the truck's exterior cameras to capture 20-second clips, manually or when an event triggers it. Toyota Safety Sense 4.0 is standard, with Proactive Driving Assist that anticipates curves and distance. The powertrains carry over: the non-hybrid 3.4-liter twin-turbo V6 makes 389 horsepower and 479 lb-ft; the hybrid i-Force Max bumps that to 437 hp and 583 lb-ft, both through a 10-speed automatic. Digital key functionality is available with a Remote Connect subscription. The refresh is incremental, but the dashcam and standard large screen matter.
- CategoryTundra technology
- Tech14-inch infotainment stand
- FeatureBuilt-in dashcam 20-sec
- Powertrain3.4L V6 389 hp / hyb
Toyota's next-generation hybrid batteries arrive in 2027 — enough for 600,000 hybrids a year
Toyota will begin converting hybrid battery production lines in Japan to a next-generation package during the 2027-2028 period. Initial annual capacity will supply batteries for around 600,000 hybrids — a meaningful chunk given Toyota forecasts it will sell five million hybrids this year alone. The batteries, destined for both Toyota and Lexus models, are designed to improve efficiency and cut production costs, though Toyota hasn't said whether savings will reach buyers. The company sold 11.3 million vehicles last year, its sixth consecutive year ahead of Volkswagen. CEO Kenta Kon has also signaled that Toyota City is looking to trim an overstuffed model portfolio and relax supplier specifications. Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda has repeatedly argued hybrids are a better global fit than EVs, citing charging infrastructure and price. The battery shift is the clearest sign yet that hybrids, not EVs, remain the volume strategy.
- CategoryHybrid battery
- BatteryNext-gen HEV cells, pro
- Capacity600,000 hybrids/year
- MarketToyota and Lexus
The Accord Hybrid beats the Crown on fuel and acceleration, but not on AWD
The 2027 Crown's standard hybrid is efficient, but the front-drive Honda Accord Hybrid is better on fuel. The Accord EX-L with 17-inch wheels returns 51/44 mpg, and with 204 hp it reached 60 mph in 6.8 seconds — quicker than the previous Crown Limited's 7.1-second run despite having less power and no AWD. The Crown's standard hybrid can't match those figures; the trade-off is standard AWD, a taller seating position, and an unusual near-luxury look. The Camry Hybrid and Hyundai Sonata Hybrid are also strong alternatives in the same sedan segment. The Crown's pitch is different: elevated seating, easy entry, all-weather confidence, and long-range driving. If maximum mpg per dollar is the goal, the Accord or Camry makes more sense. If you value AWD and sitting higher, the Crown's efficiency penalty is modest and predictable.
- CategoryComparison
- EfficiencyAccord EX-L 51/44 mp
- PerformanceAccord 0-60 6.8s vs
- SegmentMidsize hybrid sedans