Toyota us thinking about returning the legendary Crown nameplate to the USA after more than six decades of absence, Reuters reports citing its own sources.
However, while the original Crown was a sedan, the revived badge will allegedly be put on an international electrified SUV. The sources argue that sedans aren’t nearly as popular anymore as SUVs and crossovers. For a while, the markets where the Crown is currently available as a sedan will be offering it in sedan and SUV flavors side-by-side. The four-door car is even set to receive a minor mid-generational update this summer.
However, the SUV is set to eventually phase it out completely. At first, the model will debut with a couple of part-electric powertrains to choose from (some markets will only get one, others two). The sources assume that Japan will get a PHEV variant, while the USA and China will get an MHEV.
These hybrids should go on sale in 2023. A year after that, the off-roader is expected to go all-electric. Availability and pricing remain undisclosed.