For far too long Toyota has been humiliated by the fact that only their rival Nissan has managed to crack the code about how to transform an AWD crossover into an awkward, four-seat convertible that has since become part of automotive legend, the Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet. And, sure, the Murano CrossCab was discontinued only one short decade ago due to poor sales, but that doesn’t mean Toyota hasn’t been stewing and plotting every single day since then. And now we have the results of that decade of hand-rubbing and plotting, as revealed yesterday at the Sumo capital of the world, Ryogoku Kokugikan Stadium: the Toyota Crown Open.
Yes, according to Kurama News (though I admit I first saw it here on Carscoops) the genesis for the Crown convertible was originally to commemorate the centenary of Sumo in 2025; a Toyota Century convertible was eventually used for the event, but it seems the initial idea was to use Toyota’s new Crown, according to Chairman Akio Toyoda, via Kurama News:
“It was originally planned to be based on the 16th generation Crown (crossover), which was unveiled to the world for the first time on July 15, 2022, and Chairman Akio Toyoda said, “Actually, we also prepared a Crown convertible.”
It seems the idea of a Crown convertible has been in Toyota’s collective mind for a long time, even being noted when the new Crown was first unveiled in 2022. This new Crown Open was first seen in this video from Toyo Times, even before the public showing at the Sumo stadium. This video shows the earlier Century convertible as well as the Crown Open, so you get to see it all:
Interestingly and unlike its rival the Nissan Murano CrossCab, the Crown Open keeps its four doors, putting it in a very small and exclusive class of four-door convertibles that includes such deeply elegant cars as the Lincoln Continental and Volkswagen Thing. The video also notes that 3D printing was used to fabricate some of the parts, which makes sense given that this is just a one-off. So far.
In the video, Head of Design Simon Humphries notes something obvious, but worth remembering about convertibles:
“What’s different from a normal car is that you can see people. The people sitting in the car are also part of the design.”
We all know this, of course, but in the context of automotive design, you can normally not have to think about the people inside the car, as disheveled and unshowered as they may be. But in a convertible, at least one of those is going to be part of the car’s look, at least when it’s in motion. Ideally.
The “elegant flowing design,” as described in the video, was important to maintain, and I think generally the designers managed to pull it off. The rear is the most difficult part to adapt, and here the sloping rear window was replaced with a glossy black top cover that flows into the black sections of the Crown’s trunk and rear fascia quite well.
This video also has some commentary from Vice President Hiroki Nakajima:
“Convertible cars are extremely difficult items both technically and in terms of manufacturing skills.It is true that people admire convertible cars, which are often seen in the United States and other countries. They have a DNA that makes them want to drive while feeling the breeze.”
I’m not exactly where this idea around the world that the U.S. is full of convertibles comes from. Maybe it’s true statistically that we have more than other countries, but not every trip to the pornography outlet store is surrounded by the flowing hair of convertible-enjoyers. I wish it were!
More importantly, finally Toyota can go head-to-head with a car that was almost universally derided and has been out of production since 2014. I am happy to say the cruel, monopolistic tyranny of the Murano CrossCabriolet (shown above) is no more, thanks to Toyota’s crack team of one-off designers and engineers.
The Crown Open is so far just likely to remain a one off, though it was suggested it could be rented out for big events, and, I suppose, the occasional Bar or Bat Mitzvah.
[Editor’s Note: While digging into this convertible a little bit, I stumbled upon this version of the Toyota Crown: The “Sport-type PHEV.” It’s a 300+ horsepower all-wheel drive plug-in hybrid hatchback, and it looks fantastic:
The all-wheel drive plug-in hybrid system promises over 50 miles of EV-only range (not on the U.S. cycle, but still), which is fantastic:
And just look at this interior!:
Sadly, MSRP in Japan is over $50 grand equivalent. Yikes! -DT].
Screenshots from Toyota Times, Sport-type images from Toyota, Nissan Murano image from Nissan
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It Looks Like America’s Getting A Toyota Crown Estate
“What’s different from a normal car is that you can see people”
Lol. I guess I can call my bathtub a convertible then. With that high beltline you’ll still only see their faces, and that’s only *if* the windows are down.
I admire the old Crowns and i’m a disheartened by all new Crowns, at least there is a sedan even if i didn’t like the design, but i don’t like the design of most cars today.
That Crown Sport type PHEV, WOW. I would absolutely buy that. Gorgeous and practical even at that elevated price.
I would buy a Murano. Convert, all wheel drive.What’s not to like? Hate for them is like the hate for the Aztek.
The front 3/4 view is pretty decent looking, although the car cries out for a 2-door version. That rear view is… woof.
“the genesis for the Crown convertible was originally to commemorate the centenary of Sumo in 2025; a Toyota Century convertible was eventually used for the event”
Uhm… isn’t 2025 next year?
If the new electric Acura ZDX isn’t available with t-tops, Honda is primed to lose the oddball semi-luxury open top crossover arms race. Pretty sure they could even split engineering costs with GM (who could dust off the Monte Carlo name or something, and has already proven willing to resurrect t-tops with the Hummer).
I was just saying the other day I’d love a hybrid convertible (for less than six figures, and configured for mileage instead of raw power), and this isn’t half bad. Certainly better looking than the CrossCab, but you know, low bar to clear.
Sure, it’s a one off, and even it did make production, it’d likely still be a four door, but at least the idea’s out there.
I wish the world had more convertibles. I love them so much. The only fixed roof car in my fleet of 4 is the Subie which is a company car, so not technically owned by me.
Ditto and I especially wish Toyota and Honda had more offerings. The only convertible in Toyota’s line up is over $100k.
Looks like I’ll be hanging onto my Solara for quite some time, but I’m ok with that. It has lots of space for a convertible, is a comfy boulevard cruiser, and absolutely built like a tank.
I think at this point I couldn’t imagine not having a convertible for my personal car. Or more likely I eventually buy a newer newer car (the TSX is on my radar) and keep the Solara.
Same here. My Solara is never leaving my family until something like this Crown Open is sold here.
What’s really strange is that I absolutely hate the styling of the Crown, especially the two-tone versions, yet I love the Crown Open even more.
Agreed I was disappointed that we got the lamest (the CUV thing) version of the Crown but an open air version would make up for that.
Can’t get a front locker or decent sized tire on any of the Toyota 4×4’s, but they have time for THIS. Sheesh.
The Crown is a decent looking car, but the Crown Open, well… It’s ugly. It just doesn’t make sense, you buy an SUV for space (Usually), but the Open gets rid of all of that glorious room for your uh… dog? camping gear? stuff?
Roll down the windows for god’s sake!
Convertibles are good!
Yes, convertibles are good, but not SUV convertibles!
If you want a four door convertible, a Lincoln Continental is about the only good one.
Yes, convertibles are good, but not SUV convertibles!
The Bronco and Jeep would like a word.
Uh… Well… What I meant was more of the “It was an afterthought” convertibles, not ones that was originally designed to have a removable/retracting roof. I own a 1982 Bronco, and my dad has 2 (technically 1.5 of them) Broncos. Also my mom has a new Bronco Sport (That one doesn’t really count), so I don’t know why I didn’t think of that.
> Yes, convertibles are good, but not SUV convertibles!
Why not? That seems like a capricious demarcation.
The Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco are SUV convertibles and I would argue that the 4 door versions are good (but not as good as the 2 door ones)!
“What’s different from a normal car is that you can see people. The people sitting in the car are also part of the design.”
Oh no. I don’t want to be a part of the design.
The Toyota Crown Open sounds like it should be a golf tournament. Can’t you just hear Jim Nance: A tradition like no other … The Toyota Crown Open.
Also, couldn’t Toyota just give us a new MR2 Spyder?
Good things can happen when Minamata meets Fukushima.
Wanted a Murano CrossCabriolet but I spoke with a guy who used to own one and that killed it for me. He said the top was a time bomb that the dealership doesn’t know how to service AND there is no factory parts support. Nissan for the loss.
I absolutely love it! 4 door convertibles hell yeah!!! They are just such a rare and wild beast, and having one exist now is simply wild. The crown itself isn’t necessarily a car I would buy for myself, but it’s pretty strange and I think that’s a good thing. This ups the weirdness to a very unexpected level so let’s go
I mean, I don’t hate it. And I certainly don’t hate it as much as I hate any kind of Nissan Murano, which I hate even more than I hate Nissan Jukes, and I hate Jukes a *lot*.
Also I think the “US has a higher percentage of convertibles” factoid is almost entirely driven by the Wrangler and Bronco.
Rental car fleet Mustangs and Camaros as well.
Which, to be fair, are great! Whenever my wife and I are traveling we always rent them. Having a convertible and a tossable chassis is a nice treat. Sometimes you’ll even find V8 ones.
Nah, its Hollywood:
Hollywood loves to use ragtops to show the stars as they are driving. Like Simon says (hee-hee), the people are a part of the design in a ‘vert.
Ah, but there was the Range Rover. Evoque (not as awkward, but still, and I was surprised to see a Cross Cab and an Evoque on two successive days in my parking garage at work), and the PT Cruiser, which wasn’t technically an SUV, but as a four-door wagon-like thing converted to a bizarre two-door convertible fits this brief, and the currently available but not here VW T-Roc, which most certainly is less graceful than any Golf-derived Cabriolet ever could be, even when one of its sorority sisters was holding its soft top out of the way while it vomited into a gutter .
I’m often referred to as a nice guy. I’m not trying to pump my own tires, but for the sake of this anecdote, it’s important. I have a hard time being bluntly critical, especially to people I don’t know. I express my disdain but with a softer approach. Sometimes it’s so soft that people don’t realize I have utter contempt for their existence on this planet.
So, when the Range Rover Evoque convertible debuted and the vehicle rep at the auto show asked me if I liked it, I responded with “No. No, not at all.”
I see a market for this as a rental for folks ages 50+ on vacation with another couple in wine country. It would need to have the easiest automatic hard top and no wind blowing around and messing up hair at highway speeds.
They would sell like dozens of them.
Also, the video reminded me of the articles Tycho did about Chinese Parade cars. so much more than a normal convertible.
I think my favorite four place modernish convertible has to be the 2013 6 speed manual diesel Beetle I drove back in 2014. Amazing car to go out with friends in. And the weird thing about the aerodynamics, was you could easily have a conversation in it with the top down at highway speeds. I am not entirely sure why.
Tangentially connected, but I have seen over 10 Crowns around where I live, and I just have a hard time with those big black panels on them. I dislike that element of them.
But that Sport PHEV? That looks better! I would definitely take a hatchback PHEV!
Edit: That front end on the Sport really gives me Porsche vibes. I can’t be the only one to see it right?
The black panels are fortunately only on the upper trim levels, the base model (as much as a $40,000+ vehicle can even be called a base model) is one color
I’d buy a luxury hot hatch in a nanosecond and I’m not entirely sure why they essentially don’t exist outside of the Integra Type S. It seems like a market that’s ripe for the picking. Not everyone wants/can afford to drop 60,000+ on a sporty luxury CUV like the Macan or X3M and deal with the huge compromises those cars come with (putrid fuel economy, ridiculous ownership costs, etc).
If a manufacturers could offer luxury hot hatches within striking distance of the high end normal ones like the CTR and Golf R people would buy them. Hell, people lined up to pay $50,000+ for GR Corollas and Civic Type Rs only a year or two ago, so no one is going to balk at a price like that now.
If Toyota brought over the Crown Sport or the Lexus LBX with the GR 3 cylinder they wouldn’t be able to keep them on lots. I can’t speak for all of us, but I have a feeling that the “30 or 40 something enthusiasts who have obligations but still love driving and have some disposable income” crowd would line up to buy them. I know I would, and I wouldn’t even have to convince the wife.
Hot hatch is love. Hot hatch is life.
Didn’t LR do a convertible evoque too? I feel like that was better done and still the contemporary to the crosscabrio. Also, does the crown open have a top? Seems like it doesn’t, which would be an issue. Too bad, could be a hilariously weird and fun car if they dared mass produce it, but they won’t.
Yes, there was an Evoque convertible.
Wasn’t it a 2 door, though?
Yes, and it was pretty small. Almost certainly the least “utilitarian” SUV ever built.
I WOULD BUY THIS TOMORROW! It’s absolutely absurd. The Crown sedan thing is unapologetically weird and this just takes it up another notch. A hybrid 4 door convertible?! WHAT?! It’s not the hero we need, but the one we deserve.
I’m excited to see where Toyota takes the Crown line. While I doubt we’ll get it here I love the Sport hot hatch variant and we’ll likely look at the Signia for my wife. I think there’s ground to be gained in the premium/not quite luxury segment…and there are rumors that a GR Crown is in the works as well.
I’m not sure what on earth that would entail but I’m excited to see it! Slash Toyota, PLEASE bring one of the luxury hot hatches you’ve been teasing over here. Crown Sport, Lexus LBX, hell put the turbo 3 in a UX for all I care. That’s a market that’s criminally empty right now and a lot of my fellow 20/30 something hot hatch aficionados would absolutely line up to buy them.
There would be more convertibles in the US if they were available in stock to choose from. The three Mazda dealers around me have a total of one to test drive, and it’s an RF. They push the CUV/SUVs (yawn).
I’m not sure where you live, but keep in mind it is February…
The world needs more 4-door convertibles!!! Not just the Wrangler Unlimited.
This.
Ford Bronco has entered the chat… in 2021.
Excellent point! I should have said we need more 4 door convertible cars. I was so disappointed that the last gen Lincoln Continental with the suicide doors wasn’t available as a convertible.