The Missing Crowns
Toyota brought the Crown family to the U.S. for the 2023 model year with the Crown (known as the Crown Crossover in Japan), followed by the wagon-style Crown Signia. However, two other models in the premium lineup, the Crown Sedan and Crown Sport, have yet to make their way stateside, but a recent development could change that.
Japan’s Kuruma News reported that the Crown Sport is now available in a left-hand-drive configuration for the first time. It will be sold in Taiwan, where preorders began in mid-September 2026. The report didn’t mention a possible U.S. arrival, but the new left-hand-drive version removes one obstacle to that. Of course, Toyota still has to decide whether the Crown Sport would fit into its U.S. lineup, especially since it could overlap with models like the Crown Signia and Lexus NX.
A Sporty Proposition
As its name suggests, the Crown Sport is the sportiest of the four models in the Crown family. The five-seat crossover emphasizes driving dynamics, performance, and design, with features such as a specially tuned suspension designed to provide drivers with better feedback. While the vehicle may be sporty, it is still designed with comfort and practicality in mind, distinguishing it from more performance-focused GR models like the GR Corolla while retaining the premium appeal associated with the Crown family.
Under the hood, the Crown Sport is available with two powertrain options, including a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid system making around 230 horsepower. That’s comparable to the hybrid powertrains found in the U.S.-spec Crown and Crown Signia. The other option is a 2.5-liter plug-in hybrid powertrain, delivering 302 horsepower and an electric-only range of 56 miles, based on Japan’s WLTC testing cycle.
The report stated that the Crown Sport is arriving in Taiwan with a preorder price starting at NT$1.75 million (about $54,000 at current exchange rates). In Japan, where all four Crown models are sold, the Crown Sport sits in the middle of the lineup, above the entry-level Crown Crossover (simply called the Crown in the U.S.) but below the Crown Estate (U.S. Crown Signia) and Crown Sedan.
The American Equation
In the U.S., the Crown starts at $41,640, excluding destination charges, while the Crown Signia starts at $44,690. These models essentially succeeded the Avalon and Venza, respectively, targeting buyers who may want something more premium than mainstream models such as the Camry and RAV4 without opting for a Lexus.
While Toyota hasn’t commented on a potential U.S. arrival for the Crown Sport, the prospects for the Crown Sedan appear more uncertain, despite its availability in a left-hand-drive configuration in China. American buyers have increasingly shifted away from traditional luxury sedans, a trend reflected in the discontinuation of the Lexus LS after the 2026 model year.
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