2025 Toyota Crown Nightshade Edition – A Modern Take on the Sport Sedan

For 2025, Toyota added a new Nightshade edition to its Crown sedan line-up. This is the model I recently tested. Built on the Limited trim, the Nightshade Edition features all-black badging, door handles, and bold 21-inch matte-black 10-spoke wheels. It looks good – and provides a unique and modern take on the traditional sport sedan.

Powertrains and Performance

The Crown lineup includes four grades: XLE, Limited, Nightshade, and Platinum. All come with standard all-wheel drive (AWD) and a choice of hybrid powertrains.

The XLE, Limited, and Nightshade grades use Toyota’s Hybrid System (THS), which combines a 2.5-liter gasoline engine with front and rear electric motors for 236 combined horsepower. This setup balances power and efficiency, achieving an EPA-estimated 41 MPG combined—great for daily commuting or longer trips. I found the powertrain to be peppy and responsive, highlighting Toyota’s hybrid supremacy.

For more power, the Platinum grade offers Toyota’s Hybrid MAX powertrain. This performance hybrid delivers a combined 340 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque and its full-time electronic AWD provide a more dynamic driving experience, with an EPA-estimated 30 MPG combined.

Driving Dynamics and Comfort

I like how Crown drives. It offers a comfortable and composed ride, even with its elevated stance. Its rigid chassis, supported by advanced welding techniques and high-strength materials, ensures stability without adding extra weight. The MacPherson strut front suspension and multi-link rear suspension, combined with swing valve shock absorbers on most grades, provide a smooth ride at low and high speeds.

The Platinum grade enhances this experience with Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS), which adjusts damping force in real time. 

Interior Features

The Crown’s interior emphasizes comfort and technology. Standard features include a heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated leather-trimmed front seats, heated rear seats, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and wireless charging. The Nightshade Edition adds dark interior accents, while the panoramic moonroof gives the cabin an open and premium feel.

Some of the plastic bits feel a bit bland for a $50,000 vehicle. However, tech features are abundant, including Toyota’s Audio Multimedia system with a 12.3-inch touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims, like the Nightshade, include an 11-speaker JBL Premium Audio system. Many customers will appreciate the center-located knob for adjusting the audio. Sometimes, simple and easy is best!

Lastly, for me, the higher seating position made getting in and out easy, and the supportive seats felt great on longer drives. The second-row seats might feel a little cramped for taller adults, due to the sloping roofline. 

Safety Features

Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 is standard across all Crown models, offering features like Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Tracing Assist, and Road Sign Assist. Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert are also included for added peace of mind. The Platinum grade adds advanced features like Traffic Jam Assist and Lane Change Assist.

Final Thoughts

The 2025 Toyota Crown, particularly the Nightshade Edition, brings something fresh to the midsize sedan market. With its tall stance, modern design, peppy hybrid powertrain, AWD, and advanced safety technology, it should appeal to a wide range of drivers. The only downside is that some of the plastic parts don’t necessarily feel like a $50,000 car (MSRP of the Nightshade edition is $48,765). However, if you’re looking for a modern sedan that looks unique, drives well and is efficient, the Crown is definitely worth considering. 

By Steve Janisse, The Weekend Drive