Toyota has a hit on its hands with the all-new Toyota Crown. The Crown may look like a funky lifted sedan, but this Avalon replacement has proven to be a consistent player in Toyota’s sales portfolio thanks to its combination of luxury, performance, and simple styling. However, some have pointed out the Crown does not have a distinct personality which is a must for younger buyers.
Toyota is attempting to inject more fun into the Crown with the all-new 2025 Crown Nightshade. But does this latest member of the Nightshade family have the spunk needed to help bring the Crown into the dark side?
Nightshade works its magic in this Crown
Like other Nightshade models that we have seen from Toyota in recent years, the Crown Nightshade is mostly a styling package with the bright chrome trim work being swapped out for darkened pieces of trim to give it a more sinister look. The Crown Nightshade is only available in two colors: Black and a new Nightshade exclusive hue called Storm Cloud. Both colors come paired with 21-inch Matte Black wheels and all Nightshades get a blacked-out leather interior.
The Nightshade also reflects some of the broader changes that are coming to the lineup for 2025 with all models now getting heated/cooled seats standard along with a heated steering wheel. Toyota claims that the Nightshade is supposed to be a value-centric option in the Crown lineup and it appears the Nightshade is trying to walk a fine line between style and luxury with some of the appointments on the Nightshade. The interior is also reflective of this with the Nightshade being sandwiched between the Limited and the range-topping Platinum models. The core DNA of the package is mostly unchanged, with the cabin continuing to put comfort and technology as the leading pillars of success.
Rear headroom is still not that great for taller occupants but the front seats do allow occupants to stretch out and relax with the cushioning continuing to provide great amounts of comfort and support. A 12.3-inch infotainment system is standard across the range with the system getting standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A second screen serves as the digital instrument cluster and it allows the Crown to have a strong tech-forward personality. The Nightshade does not get the PLatinum’s JBL Premium audio system but that’s ok since the base six-speaker unit is still more than good enough for the job.Â
Nightshade continues to focus on fuel economy
With its unique trim placement, the Nightshade does not get the beefier Hybrid Max setup like the Platinum. Instead, our tester arrived with the 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder which is paired with three electric motors. The setup makes a combined 236 hp with the Nightshade getting the same CVT as the standard XLE and Limited.
The engine is no slouch but for younger buyers hoping that the Crown Nightshade would have a little more zest to go with its sinister personality, they might be disappointed with what they find here. However, other buyers will be pleased with how smooth the engine is at city speeds with the engine being reasonably quiet while the electric motors not only improve response but also allow the Nightshade to go a limited distance when it’s run in pure electric mode. The Nightshade retains the same 42/41 mpg rating in city and freeway commuting which will please fuel-conscious buyers looking to stretch their fuel dollar.
Value Quotient
Pricing for the 2025 Toyota Crown Nightshade starts at $48,765 which is a slight bump over a standard Limited model and is reflective of its unique character. A base XLE Crown starts at $41,440 with all pricing not including the destination fee. This pricing ladder allows the Crown to compete in the upper-end of the near-luxury market and provides buyers with a noticeable bridge between the brand and luxury brand Lexus.Â
This bridge will be important as Toyota continues to expand the Crown’s presence in the U.S. with the debut of the Crown Signia which will put the nameplate into the hybrid SUV wars. Both crowns will be eventually joined by other Crown models but it remains to be seen how far Toyota is willing to go in bringing the luxury nameplate into other segments though a compact luxury version of the Crown will not surprise us in the least. In the meantime, the 2025 Toyota Crown Nightshade will continue to be a strong contender in the luxury market and will be the one to go to if you want more spunk and a touch of the dark side in your hybrid vehicle purchase.Â
Carl Malek has been an automotive journalist for over 10 years. First starting out as a freelance photographer before making the transition to writing during college, his work has appeared on numerous automotive forums as well as websites such as Autoshopper.com.
Carl is also a big fan of British vehicles with the bulk of his devotion going to the Morgan Motor Company as well as offerings from Lotus, MG, and Caterham. When he is not writing about automobiles, Carl enjoys spending time with his family and friends in the Metro Detroit area, as well as spending time with his adorable pets.