The 2023 Toyota Crown is a bit of an odd duck. It’s a full-size sedan that kind of looks like a crossover and has a stance like a crossover, but it is not a crossover. Instead, the Toyota Crown is the replacement for the canceled Avalon that has finally made its way onto U.S. shores. The best part that the U.S. market is sure to love is that the Crown is a hybrid. But is it a plug-in hybrid?

The 2023 Toyota Crown has two different hybrid powertrains to choose from

Sadly, the 2023 Toyota Crown is not currently offered as a plug-in hybrid yet. However, Toyota has confirmed that a plug-in model is on the way. For now, the Toyota Crown that will be showing up to dealer showroom floors soon will come with a choice between two different hybrid powertrains.

The first option – standard on the XLE and Limited trims — combines a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor for a total combined power output of 236. That power is routed out to all four wheels via a CVT. However, the rear wheels mainly engage when the front ones start to slip.

The second powertrain is available on the top-tier Platinum trim. It consists of a Hybrid MAX turbocharged 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine that’s paired with an electric motor for a total power output of 340. Just like the lower trim levels, this hybrid powerhouse routes those ponies through to all four wheels when traction is needed.

What kind of gas mileage does the Toyota Crown get?

According to the EPA, the 2023 Toyota Crown with the naturally aspirated hybrid powertrain will be able to achieve up to 42 mpg in the city and 41 mpg on the highway. The more-powerful Platinum trim isn’t as lucky as it’s rated at 29 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway. That mileage deficit could be due to the top trim wearing 21-inch wheels compared to the lower trim’s 19-inchers.

Then again, the top trim puts out nearly 100 more horsepower than the lower one, so the nearly non-hybrid fuel efficiency figures balance out with the car’s potential performance. We’re excited to see how that Toyota Crown Platinum performs.

Will the Toyota Crown get better gas mileage than the Avalon Hybrid?

Although the base hybrid powertrain in the 2023 Toyota Crown is similar, if not the same, as the one in the Avalon Hybrid, it won’t get similar gas mileage numbers. The 2022 Toyota Avalon Hybrid was able to achieve up to 43 mpg in the city and 43 mpg on the highway, according to the EPA. That’s really impressive for a full-size sedan.

However, it looks like the Crown’s added weight or different aerodynamics may contribute to the slight mileage penalty. Despite the slightly lower fuel economy numbers, there’s no denying that Toyota could be onto something with the forthcoming Crown. Although, it will likely do much better as a plug-in hybrid.