Today we’re back with the walkaround review of a 2005 Toyota Crown. Launched in 2003, the 12th generation Crown was Toyota’s flagship sedan aimed to compete with German luxury cars. It was developed on Toyota’s N platform on which many of its executive rear-wheel and all-wheel drive cars were built, like the Toyota Mark X, Lexus LS430, IS, GS, etc.
The S180 crown initially came with two engine options, 4GR and 3GR, and later, a 3.5 liter 2GR engine was added in 2005. Two main variants were offered: the Royal Saloon and the high-spec Athlete version. This particular car is a 2005 Royal Saloon with a 2.5 liter V6 engine, namely the 4GR. This is configured with a 5-speed automatic transmission mated with a rear-wheel drive system. A 6-speed automatic transmission was also offered in the 3.0 liter and above cars.
Exterior
The classic design language of Toyota’s executive cars of this era is still a treat to watch. The Crown’s exterior features clean lines and a very articulate front fascia. Headlamps are very bold and angled around the bonnet; the front grille is well-positioned with a honeycomb design.
The bumper features parking sensors, fog lights, and horizontal air inlets. Coming to the sides, this generation Crown’s wheelbase was increased by 2.6 inches making its dimension close to an S class. It features 16-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels, while 18-inch rims were offered in the Athlete. Side mirrors get LED indicators, and the chrome trims on the doors and around the window panel add a very nice touch.
Door handles are chrome molded, with all four getting smart entry. Again, the rear end is minimal, complementing the overall exterior with large tail lights, a bumper extension, dual-tip exhaust, and a minimal lip spoiler.
Interior
Coming to the interior, the first thing you feel is the comfort. The seats are very welcoming, and the interior is very well laid out. Instead of screens and haptic sensors in modern cars, this Crown gets physical buttons, and loads of them, as it is so packed with features.
This particular car has a beige interior, while a black interior was also offered. The interior is a contrast of beige and wooden trims around the cabin, which gives a very luxurious feel. The instrument cluster has analog dials along with digital displays for information. It gets a leather-wrapped four-spoke steering wheel with wooden trim on top. Overall, the interior design still does not feel dated, and the attention to detail makes you question whether this car is 18 years old.
Features
Despite being the low-spec variant, this Crown Royal Saloon is equipped with a ton of features. These include electric seats with lumbar support, 4-door smart entry with push start, dual-zone climate control, an infotainment system, multimedia steering, driving modes, etc.
Moreover, it has parking sensors, traction control, a rearview camera, an air vent swing, courtesy lights, and a multi-tier center armrest. The rear seats get volume control and rear AC vents. This car misses some optional features like 9 airbags, rear climate control, rear shade, etc.
Price Bracket
With car prices increasing daily, the 12th generation Crown’s price has also increased in the used market, where a maintained car now costs around 5 to 6 million rupees. However, this car is still a very good option for those, who want luxury comparable to the S class and reliability similar to a Corolla.
