When I reviewed the 2023 Toyota Crown Platinum, I said Toyota had traded in the Avalon’s quiet sensibility for something bolder, taller, and more confident. The Crown was an unusual car then, and it’s still an unusual car now. But the 2026 Nightshade version brings more structure to the lineup, more attitude in the styling, and a clearer sense of what Toyota wants this sedan-with-an-edge to be. With trims now running from XLE to Limited to Nightshade to Platinum, buyers finally get a chance to choose the flavor instead of the Crown choosing it for them. And if you like your cars with a little swagger, the Nightshade is almost certainly the one you’re going to notice first. In fact, every Nightshade edition Amy or I have reviewed has been sort of a hip version of great vehicles that are otherwise on the subdued side.
Powertrain
Toyota didn’t change the fundamentals. You still get the raised ride height, the coupe-like roofline, and the “is-it-a-sedan-or-is-it-a-fastback” profile that makes the Crown stand out in a parking lot full of SUVs. What changed is the detail work and how the trims are sorted. The big-horsepower Hybrid MAX powertrain that I tested in 2023 is now reserved for the Platinum. Everything else, including the Nightshade, runs Toyota’s 2.5-liter hybrid system at a combined 236-horsepower. That won’t snap your neck, but it’s smooth, quiet, consistent, and returns fuel economy you’ll actually brag about. Think low-40s combined in real-world driving. For a car this size, that’s impressive.
For you folks that have never owned a hybrid, Toyota’s hybrid system uses the tried-and-true 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder paired with two electric motors and a planetary-gear e-CVT, all working together to balance power and efficiency without the driver ever having to think about it. At low speeds and during light acceleration, it can run solely on electric power; as demand increases, the gas engine joins in seamlessly, with the electric motors filling in torque for smooth, quiet takeoffs. Regenerative braking captures energy normally lost during deceleration and feeds it back into the hybrid battery, so there’s no plugging-in or special charging routine required. The result is a drivetrain that constantly decides the most efficient way to move the car, switching between electric drive, gas power, or a blend of both in real time. If you didn’t know this was a hybrid, you wouldn’t suspect a thing.
Choose your drive modes from Comfort, Sport, Normal, and Eco. You know which one I was in most of the week.
Exterior
The Nightshade isn’t supposed to be a performance model anyway. It’s about style and not actually looking like a Toyota.
Toyota takes the normal Crown and dips nearly everything in black: the 21-inch wheels, the mirrors, the door handles, the badges, the window trim. Even the brightwork that lines the body on the Limited disappears into a darker, more assertive look. On some cars this trend feels played out. On the Crown, it works.
The proportions are already unusual, so embracing a more dramatic palette makes the whole thing feel intentional rather than shy. For my personal taste, I love the 21” wheels but I’d love to see them on this car chromed, but that’s just me.
Interior
Inside, Toyota keeps things clean. You’ll see dark materials, bronze-tone accents, and the same dual 12.3-inch displays that anchor the dash in every Crown.
Toyota’s latest infotainment system is fast and easy to maneuver, though I still wish some core functions had actual buttons, but you do get a volume knob! Visibility is solid with a commanding view of the road ahead, unlike most sedans these days. Cabin comfort is excellent. And Toyota continues to do seats better than just about anyone in this segment. The materials in the Nightshade won’t make you forget you’re not in the Platinum, but the fit, finish, and overall layout feel premium enough for the price.
Ride quality is one of Toyota’s strengths here. Even with the larger wheels, the Crown stays settled over rough pavement without floating the way the old Avalon sometimes could. It’s not a sports sedan, but it handles predictably and feels smaller than it looks. All-wheel drive is standard on every trim, which is one of the reasons Toyota positions the Crown as a year-round alternative to a crossover. You get the sure footing and the higher seating position without paying the price at the pump.
Standard Equipment
Standard equipment on this Nightshade includes:
The 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, 12.3-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, heated and cooled front seats, dual-zone climate control, leather-trimmed seating, a power driver’s seat, wireless phone charging, LED headlights and taillights, a fixed panoramic roof with power sliding cover, a compact spare tire, JBL 11-speaker audio with amp and subwoofer, and the 21-inch black alloy wheels that give the Nightshade its signature look.
Safety
On the safety front, you get Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 with adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert with steering assist, lane-tracing assist, road-sign assist, automatic high beams, pre-collision system with pedestrian and bicyclist detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors with automatic braking, a rearview camera, and Safe Exit Assist.
Options
Options on my tester include wheel locks ($105), Mudguards ($165), side puddle lamps ($165), carpeted floor mats ($319), and it has a silly key glove for $20 bucks.
2026 Lineup
What’s new for 2026 is mostly refinement. Toyota sharpened the trim choices, gave each version a clearer identity, and leaned harder into the hybrid-only strategy that defines this car. If you liked the 2023 Crown for its originality, you’ll find the 2026 lineup easier to understand.
If you’re cross-shopping, the Nightshade offers standout style without forcing you into the top-tier price of the Platinum. And if you simply want something different from another crossover, this sedan still has a way of being both familiar and striking at the same time.
Fuel Economy and What You'll Pay
Total MSRP as equipped is $50,734 which is a great value for a full-sized sedan that is very Lexus-like. Where the Crown really shines is the MPGs. It is rated at 42 in town, 41 on the highway, and 41 overall, but I am beating those estimates without even trying. According to the EPA, you save $2,500 a year in fuel costs compared to the average new vehicle. Drive it four years, you’ve saved a cool ten grand and had a really enjoyable and roomy all-wheel drive sedan to ride around in.
Verdict
The 2026 Toyota Crown Nightshade builds on what made the 2023 Crown interesting but adds more personality. You get excellent fuel economy, a comfortable interior, standard all-wheel drive, and styling that’s bolder than anything else Toyota puts in a showroom. If you want the fastest Crown, buy the Platinum. If you want the most distinctive Crown, this is the one. It’s not a traditional sedan, not quite a luxury car, and not an SUV — but that’s exactly what makes it appealing. It stands perfectly on its own, and in today’s market, that’s saying something.
2026 Toyota Crown Hybrid
- What I Liked Most: The value, the amazing fuel economy, the interior quietness, and the room.
- What I would change: It should have a power trunk closer.
- MSRP: Base price $48,765/Total MSRP $50,734 with transportation.
- Fuel Economy: Rated at 42 City/41 highway/41 combined.
- Odometer reading when tested: 275 miles.
- Weight: 4,013 pounds.
- Spare tire: Compact spare with jack.
- Length-Width-Height: 196.1” long/72.4” wide/60.6” high.
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 14.5 gallons with the filler on the driver’s side.
- Towing Capacity: N/A.
- Official Color: Storm Cloud.
- 2026 Crown in a few words: A wonderful near-luxury sedan that is a stand-out among sedans, with great mileage and packed with value.
- Warranty: 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper, 5-year/60,000 mile power train warranty, 8-year/100,000 mile hybrid warranty, and 2-years of free maintenance.
- Final Assembly Location: Aichi, Japan.
- Manufacturer's website: Toyota
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