2026 Toyota Crown Nightshade - One of the best overall cars I've driven in a long time.

 

If you are a person of a certain age, as I am, you appreciate a car that isn't too low or too high. That's not to say the 2026 Toyota Crown Nightshade is a car for old folks, only that it is a car that is easy to get in and out of.

It helps that it is a good-looking car as well. I could do without the black wheel arches and the 21" wheels with the 225/45/21 tires. The Storm Cloud paint looked gray at some angles, and blue in others. 

The size confuses me a bit; at 196.1" long it's just 2.6" longer than a Camry. The Crown is also 3.7" taller. There isn't a lot of difference in the size as you can see; the Crown does feel more spacious though. 

There is a large trunk - 15.2 cu.ft. - for all your luggage.

Like just about every sedan on the market today, the Crown is touted as a 5-passenger car. Yes there are five seatbelts, but that center rear position would not be the most favorable spot even with the armrest/cup holder folded up.

The interior is monochromatic but nicely done. The front seats are leather-trimmed, heated and ventilated. Unlike many monochromatic interiors, the Crown's interior door handles are brushed aluminum - easy to find even in the dark. 

My only nit to pick on the inside is my usual - all the little buttons. Oh how I hate little, hard to read buttons. Yes, with time I'd get used to them I suppose. 

I also hate that it takes all these manuals to explain how to operate or maintain a new car.

When a test car has SiriusXM, as the Crown does, I like to listen to a few different channels. I could not figure out how to directly enter the channel number. I first looked in the Owner's Manual, it referred me to the Multimedia Owner's Manual. I never found what I needed so to get from channel 26 to 308, I had to push the little > icon 282 times! I guess I could have tried voice commands but that usually only leaves me frustrated. Again, familiarity might make it easier.

Enough of that, let's turn to the powertrain. There are two electric motors (front and rear), combined with a 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder for a combined 236 horsepower that goes out to all four wheels (AWD) through a CVT. A Crown Platinum is available with 340 hp. Fuel economy is rated at 42/41/41 (city/highway/combined). The 2-ton Crown Nightshade is no rocketship but it isn't a slouch either. Toyota says 0-60 comes up in 7.6 seconds. 

I found the 2026 Crown Nightshade gave a much better ride - smoother and more controlled - than a recently tested, luxury SUV. For a big car (EPA considers it a mid-size) it was relatively agile as well.

If it seems that I liked the 2026 Toyota Crown Nightshade you are correct. I am not a SUV guy; I like sedans, and this is one of the best sedans I've driven in a long time. When you can combine good looks, comfort, roominess, with economy, ride, and handling you are ahead of the pack. Add in Toyota's reputation for reliability and resale value and you have a winner.

The 2026 Toyota Crown Nightshade starts at $48,765. In today's world that is a decent price for a car of this caliber.