Toyota Crown Platinum

[The Critic]

My elderly parents are looking for an upgrade to their 2010 Altima 3.5SR V6.

They're not CUV/SUV people; they're one of the few senior citizens who despise stepping upwards to get into their vehicle.

They want something that is equal or more powerful than their current vehicle. Good ride quality and NVH are a must. Nothing too big either, something in the midsize class. No German cars or used cars either.

We drove a Crown Platinum (hybrid max) and a Crown Limited (base 2.5L hybrid); the Limited was too slow and the Platinum checked all of the boxes.

I am not seeing many options on the market. Are there any other vehicles I should be considering?

 

[trd1zz]

'25 ES350 before its gone

 

[RBT]

Don’t know much about the Crown. Saw the version that looks like a wagon while I was at the store and it looks like a nice car. More Lexus styling than Toyota so looks high end. ES is also good. Might also check the Cadillac sport sedans and the Infiniti sedans too.

 

[The Critic]

'25 ES350 before its gone

They’re long gone if you’re looking for specific colors and options.

 

[HemiBenny]

Yeah, not many options in that category, especially dropping the German cars.

What about an Acura TLX SH-AWD? ~270 HP

While it’s less than the Crown Platinum’s output, it weighs less.

I think they require premium fuel? Maybe a downside to that option in CA.

 

[trd1zz]

They’re long gone if you’re looking for specific colors and options.

Not sure how it is in CA. I'd widen the search out of state. Fly out and drive it home.

 

[CKN]

My elderly parents are looking for an upgrade to their 2010 Altima 3.5SR V6.

They're not CUV/SUV people; they're one of the few senior citizens who despise stepping upwards to get into their vehicle.

They want something that is equal or more powerful than their current vehicle. Good ride quality and NVH are a must. Nothing too big either, something in the midsize class. No German cars or used cars either.

We drove a Crown Platinum (hybrid max) and a Crown Limited (base 2.5L hybrid); the Limited was too slow and the Platinum checked all of the boxes.

I am not seeing many options on the market. Are there any other vehicles I should be considering?

That's one of the only options for an easy step in/ out without going in to a CUV/SUV. Rented an Altima last vacation- it was OK as a transportation appliance- but getting in and out out that thing was a major pain.

 

[bdc101]

Is a Mazda CX-50 too crossover-ey for them? It's a similar height to the Crown. It looks a little more SUVish but it's more of a wagon that is trying to look like an SUV and not the other way around. The turbo engine can get up and move pretty quick, but the hybrid version actually has the same hybrid engine as the Crown, Rav4 etc.

Even a fully optioned Turbo will barely hit $45k MSRP, and that's before some big Mazda discounts right now.

Edit: out of curiousity I looked and the CX-50 is actually a half inch SHORTER than the Crown Signia.

 

[HemiBenny]

That's one of the only options for an easy step in/ out without going in to a CUV/SUV. Rented an Altima last vacation- it was OK as a transportation appliance- but getting in and out out that thing was a major pain.

I remember my wife looking at a Toyota Crown while car shopping. I remember thinking this is not a sedan, but not a CUV/SUV. It was a gray area in between, if that makes sense. Easy in and out without hopping up or falling into it. (Not that we need an easy in or out, we haven't reached that point yet.)

 

[t1snwrbrdr12]

Is a Mazda CX-50 too crossover-ey for them? It's a similar height to the Crown. It looks a little more SUVish but it's more of a wagon that is trying to look like an SUV and not the other way around. The turbo engine can get up and move pretty quick, but the hybrid version actually has the same hybrid engine as the Crown, Rav4 etc.

Even a fully optioned Turbo will barely hit $45k MSRP, and that's before some big Mazda discounts right now.

Edit: out of curiousity I looked and the CX-50 is actually a half inch SHORTER than the Crown Signia.

They drove the Toyota hybrid and found it inadequate…they were looking at the hybrid max powertrain which Mazda doesn’t offer.

 

[The Critic]

Yeah, not many options in that category, especially dropping the German cars.

What about an Acura TLX SH-AWD? ~270 HP

While it’s less than the Crown Platinum’s output, it weighs less.

I think they require premium fuel? Maybe a downside to that option in CA.

Not sure how it is in CA. I'd widen the search out of state. Fly out and drive it home.

I know this sounds weird, but they're set on a new car that is a 2026 model year.

Is a Mazda CX-50 too crossover-ey for them? It's a similar height to the Crown. It looks a little more SUVish but it's more of a wagon that is trying to look like an SUV and not the other way around. The turbo engine can get up and move pretty quick, but the hybrid version actually has the same hybrid engine as the Crown, Rav4 etc.

Even a fully optioned Turbo will barely hit $45k MSRP, and that's before some big Mazda discounts right now.

Edit: out of curiousity I looked and the CX-50 is actually a half inch SHORTER than the Crown Signia.

Is the step-in height about the same as a NX350h or Subaru Forester? If yes, they're out. Parents drove both of those and they were "too high" to get into.

 

[HemiBenny]

Is the step-in height about the same as a NX350h or Subaru Forester? If yes, they're out. Parents drove both of those and they were "too high" to get into.

I own a CX50 and I service my sister-in-law’s 2021 Forester, the step-in-height is very similar. If they tested a Forester Wilderness, it would be a little bit higher, but not much.

 

[DCDG]

The Crown I saw at the dealership when I purchased my battery from Toyota last month was not impressive. For a hybrid the MPG were in the mid 30's if I recall and it was a very large vehicle compared to an Altima.

 

[bdc101]

I know this sounds weird, but they're set on a new car that is a 2026 model year.


Is the step-in height about the same as a NX350h or Subaru Forester? If yes, they're out. Parents drove both of those and they were "too high" to get into.

Since it is shorter than the crown I assume the step-in height would be no taller than the crown? It felt very car-ish to me when I sat in one. I haven't driven one myself but I have an earlier 2.5l Skyactiv Mazda sedan that I love and has been incredibly reliable.

They drove the Toyota hybrid and found it inadequate…they were looking at the hybrid max powertrain which Mazda doesn’t offer.

The CS-50 has a great turbo version of the 2.5l as well, which is about halfway between the normal Crown and the Hybrid Max version, as far as 0-60 times.

Personally I just can't get over Toyota MSRPs. I grew up driving in Toyotas and did a lot of autocross in them when I was younger. But Toyota have realized that people will buy anything they make because they're so reliable, and they're monetizing it (which is smart of them -- it's just too rich for my blood).

 

[Danno]

Frankly, I'm curious on their "need for speed"?
I drive a 2019 RAV4 Hybrid, and it can get you into illegal speeds plenty fast.

 

[The Critic]

Frankly, I'm curious on their "need for speed"?

They like the smooth, effortless acceleration without the buzzy soundtrack. The A25A hybrid is pretty loud/buzzy if you need to quickly accelerate between 30-60mph.

 

[Danno]

They like the smooth, effortless acceleration without the buzzy soundtrack. The A25A hybrid is pretty loud/buzzy if you need to quickly accelerate between 30-60mph.

Well, have I got the pick for you.

• available 4 doors
• smooth as butter straight six twin turbo
• power to take you to the moon and back at 420 hp
• 420 hp leaves you wanting more? Step up to 550 hp fire breather
• AWD to put icing on the cake

https://moparinsiders.com/first-drive-2026-dodge-charger-sixpack-scat-pack-two-door/

PS I drove the BEV Scatpack version, it is something else. Mind bending how fast and comfortable that Charger is.

 

[The Critic]

Well, have I got the pick for you.

• available 4 doors
• smooth as butter straight six twin turbo
• power to take you to the moon and back at 420 hp
• 420 hp leaves you wanting more? Step up to 550 hp fire breather
• AWD to put icing on the cake

https://moparinsiders.com/first-drive-2026-dodge-charger-sixpack-scat-pack-two-door/

PS I drove the BEV Scatpack version, it is something else. Mind bending how fast and comfortable that Charger is.

Sounds good on paper but they're not coupe people.

 

[The Critic]

I have a deposit on a Crown Platinum that I'll be picking up later this week. More to come.

 

[Danno]

Sounds good on paper but they're not coupe people.

Yup. It is available as a 4 door, per my first bullet.