Toyota Crown
Importing a used Toyota Crown from the USA
The Crown is Toyota's oldest nameplate reborn for the American market as a raised, crossover-styled hybrid sedan — a genuinely unusual car that sits between a traditional saloon and an SUV. It returned to the US in 2023 as the flagship above the Camry, and it never came to European showrooms in this form, so importing a used example from the States is the way to get one on a German plate. USCar Trader is an independent broker for used US vehicles, sourcing the specific Crown you want and running it through freight, customs and TÜV. Its all-hybrid, all-wheel-drive layout makes it an easy car to live with, and that shapes the buying advice below.
Model history and generations
This is the sixteenth-generation Crown (code S235), but the first sold in the US in decades. Launched for the 2023 model year, it uses Toyota's TNGA-K platform shared with the Camry and RAV4, wrapped in a tall, coupe-influenced four-door body with a two-tone roof option. Toyota positions it as a premium hybrid alternative to a conventional sedan. A wagon-like Crown Signia SUV followed as a separate model; the car covered here is the lifted sedan (Crown Sedan/Crossover).
Engines and drivetrain
Two hybrid powertrains define the Crown. The standard car uses a 2.5-litre four-cylinder hybrid making a combined 236 hp, tuned for smoothness and economy, driving through an electronically controlled CVT with electric all-wheel drive. The Platinum trim steps up to Hybrid MAX: a 2.4-litre T24A-FTS turbo four paired with a stronger electric motor and a six-speed automatic for a combined 340 hp, giving genuinely brisk acceleration. Both send power to all four wheels as standard, which suits German weather.
Which trim makes sense
The Crown sedan comes in XLE, Limited and Platinum. XLE and Limited use the 2.5 hybrid; Platinum gets the Hybrid MAX drivetrain plus adaptive suspension, 21-inch wheels and the most equipment. All are four-door, five-seat cars with a raised ride height and a distinctive elevated stance. There's no coupe or estate in this line — the Signia is the separate SUV-style sibling.
Supply on the US market
As a low-volume flagship, the Crown doesn't appear in huge numbers, but clean, low-mileage 2023–2024 cars are readily found, typically as one-owner examples with 10,000 to 40,000 miles. Because it's a comfortable cruiser rather than a hard-driven car, condition tends to be good. It sells nationwide; a well-documented example from a mild climate is ideal.
Who benefits from importing
The Crown suits a buyer who wants something distinctive and comfortable — an efficient hybrid with all-wheel drive, a higher seating position than a saloon, and Toyota reliability, without the bulk of an SUV. If you like the idea of a Camry's dependability in a more interesting, better-equipped package that nobody else on your street will have, this is a compelling import.
Technical data
| Attribute | Typical figure |
|---|---|
| Body style | Raised crossover-style 4-door sedan, 5 seats |
| Standard powertrain | 2.5 L hybrid, ~236 hp combined |
| Hybrid MAX (Platinum) | 2.4 L T24A-FTS turbo hybrid, ~340 hp combined |
| Transmission (2.5) | Electronic CVT |
| Transmission (MAX) | 6-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | Electric/mechanical AWD (standard) |
| 0–100 km/h | ~5.7 s (Hybrid MAX); ~7.5 s (2.5) |
| Length | ~4,980 mm |
| Wheelbase | ~2,850 mm |
| Kerb weight | ~1,800–1,940 kg |
| Fuel economy (2.5) | ~5.5–6.5 l/100 km real-world |
| Fuel economy (MAX) | ~8–9 l/100 km real-world |
| Fuel tank | ~55 l |
| Seating | 5 |
| Build origin | Japan — verify via VIN |
Known weak points and maintenance
The Crown is new, but its hardware is well proven. The 2.5 hybrid system is essentially the same durable Toyota Hybrid Synergy technology used across millions of Camrys and RAV4s, with an excellent long-term record. The Hybrid MAX turbo drivetrain is newer and shared with the Lexus RX and Highlander; early examples across those models saw occasional software and 12-volt battery niggles, so confirm all recalls and updates are done. The Platinum's 21-inch wheels ride firmly and are vulnerable to kerb and pothole damage — inspect rims and tyres. Otherwise there are no widespread mechanical faults; buy on history and condition.
US and EU spec compared
US Crowns run amber front turn signals, generally lack a rear fog lamp, and default to miles, °F and US navigation. There's no European type approval since the model wasn't sold here, so it needs an individual approval. Being a Toyota hybrid, the emissions and safety systems align closely with what TÜV inspectors expect, which eases the process.
The import process in detail
The sequence is: select the specific car, run a VIN and origin check to confirm the plant of build, secure payment through escrow, ship by ocean freight to a German port such as Bremerhaven, clear customs, present for TÜV individual approval with the necessary modifications, and register locally. USCar Trader manages every stage.
What customs clearance really costs
In short: the 0% duty rate applies only with documented US origin (VIN/plant) – German import VAT of 19% is always due.
Two charges, kept separate. Import duty depends on provable origin: the Crown is built in Japan, so the 0% rate that a genuinely US-built vehicle can reach under EU Regulations 2026/1455 and 2026/1461 is not something to assume — the VIN and plant of build set the actual rate, and we verify that before you commit rather than promising anything. Separately, the 19% German import VAT (Einfuhrumsatzsteuer) always applies to the customs value regardless of origin. Both figures appear as clear, margin-free line items in your quote.
TÜV, modifications and registration
Plan for a retrofitted rear fog lamp, European-compliant lighting/signalling, and verification of the km/h odometer. The inspector checks lights, glazing markings, tyres and emissions documentation. Because the Crown is a mainstream Toyota hybrid, approval is usually uncomplicated, after which you register at your Zulassungsstelle.
Check before you buy
Confirm the VIN matches the title and the car. Order a Carfax or AutoCheck to check accident, flood and title history. Inspect wheels and tyres, especially on Platinum's 21-inch rims. Verify that hybrid-system and any powertrain recalls were completed. Test all-wheel drive behaviour and the hybrid battery state on a longer drive. Check service records for regular maintenance. Confirm a clean, non-salvage title.
Common questions
Can I import a used Toyota Crown to Germany?
Yes. It's a standard used import completed via individual approval, since this Crown was never sold new in Europe.
Was this Crown sold in Europe?
No. The current crossover-sedan Crown went to the US, Japan and select markets, not European showrooms, so importing is the route.
Does the Crown qualify for 0% import duty?
Not automatically — it's built in Japan, so the VIN and plant decide the rate. We check origin before you commit and never promise 0%.
Is the 19% import VAT always due?
Yes. German Einfuhrumsatzsteuer of 19% applies to every imported vehicle regardless of origin.
Which powertrain should I choose?
The 2.5 hybrid is the most efficient and proven; the Platinum's Hybrid MAX is much quicker but thirstier and rides firmer.
Is the Crown reliable?
Its core hybrid technology has an excellent record; just confirm recalls on Hybrid MAX cars and buy on condition.
How economical is it?
The 2.5 hybrid returns roughly 5.5 to 6.5 litres per 100 km in real driving.
How long does import take?
Typically six to twelve weeks from purchase to German registration.
Start with Toyota in the Carhub, compare related Toyotas such as the Toyota Camry, the Toyota Avalon or the Toyota Crown Signia, and view current Crown listings to see what's available now.