Toyota Crown Buyer’s Guide for Australia
The Toyota Crown is Japan’s great executive car, and one of the most rewarding imports you can buy. Here is how the generations differ, which one suits you, and what to check before you buy.
For decades the Toyota Crown was the car Japan’s executives, taxi companies and police chose: comfortable, quiet, beautifully built, and long absent from Australian showrooms. Today it is one of the most rewarding Japanese imports you can buy, whether you want a modern hybrid or a classic turbo sedan.
Why buy a Crown?
- Comfort first. Crowns are tuned for smooth, quiet travel, with soft-close doors, heated and ventilated seats and rear-seat comfort features on many grades.
- Toyota reliability. Most engines and hybrid systems are shared with other Toyota and Lexus models, which helps with parts and servicing.
- Equipment for the money. Japanese-market Crowns are often very well equipped, and used prices are reasonable compared with similar European cars.
- Something different. A Crown stands out without shouting, and few people around you will have one.
The generations at a glance
Classic: S170 Athlete V (1999–2003)
The Athlete V is the one enthusiasts look for. It uses the 1JZ-GTE 2.5-litre turbocharged straight-six, a close relative of the engines found in other famous Toyota performance cars of the era. Look for tidy, unmodified examples with a clear history; they are getting harder to find.
A sold Red Seal example: our 2000 Crown Athlete V with the 1JZ-GTE turbo six. Read its preparation and Perth delivery journal.
Hybrid pioneers: S200 and S210 (2008–2018)
The S200 generation brought the Crown Hybrid, with a 3.5-litre V6 full-hybrid system that offered strong performance with better economy than a large V6 alone. The S210 that followed made a 2.5-litre four-cylinder hybrid the mainstream choice. Both are excellent value today, and well-kept examples make comfortable, economical daily cars.
Sharper: S220 (2018–2022)
The S220 moved the Crown onto Toyota’s newer platform with a sportier look. RS grades bring firmer adaptive suspension and sportier styling, and the 3.5-litre V6 multi-stage hybrid gives genuinely quick acceleration. This is a strong choice if you want a modern, well-equipped sedan that still feels special.
New era: the 16th generation (2022 on)
The current Crown is no longer just a sedan. The range includes the raised Crossover, the SUV-like Sport and a traditional Sedan. For a Japanese-market example in Australia, confirm the exact grade, equipment and import documentation. Hybrid all-wheel drive is common, and the Crossover RS uses a more powerful 2.4-litre turbo hybrid.
In our collection: see our current Toyota Crown collection, including the Crown Sport and Crown Crossover.
Which Crown suits you?
| If you want… | Look at |
|---|---|
| Low running costs | S210 or S220 2.5-litre hybrid, or a 16th-generation 2.5 hybrid |
| Performance with comfort | S220 RS 3.5 hybrid, or a Crown Crossover RS 2.4 turbo hybrid |
| A modern statement | Crown Crossover or Crown Sport |
| A JDM classic | S170 Athlete V with the 1JZ-GTE |
| Maximum rear-seat luxury | Crown Majesta (the long-wheelbase executive model) |
What to check before you buy
- Hybrid system health. Ask how the hybrid battery and system were checked, and whether any warning lights or fault codes were found.
- Service history. Japanese service records, plus what was done after arrival.
- Navigation and radio. Factory screens are often in Japanese, and the Japanese FM band differs from Australia’s. Ask what has been updated.
- Suspension. Adaptive and air suspension systems are comfortable but worth checking for leaks, warnings or uneven ride height.
- Auction grade and notes. Our auction sheet guide explains what to look for.
More guides
Ready to find the right car?
Browse our collection of Japanese imports, each inspected and prepared in Adelaide, or tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll help you find it in Japan.