21 Feb 19th-Feb 25th, 2026 phoenixnewtimes.com PHOENIX NEW TIMES | NEWS | FEATURE | FOOD & DRINK | ARTS & CULTURE | MUSIC | CONCERTS | CANNABIS | Questions? Feedback? Email me at [email protected] • Follow me on RATING (out of 5 McFly’s) 2026 TOYOTA CROWN NIGHTSHADE: THE SEDAN THAT GOT TOO COOL FOR THE CAMRY PARTY 2026 TOYOTA CROWN NIGHTSHADE The 2026 Toyota Crown The 2026 Toyota Crown Nightshade rolls up like that Nightshade rolls up like that friend who shows up in a sleek friend who shows up in a sleek black jacket and immediately black jacket and immediately gets asked what cologne they’re gets asked what cologne they’re wearing…and yes, people wearing…and yes, people notice. With a $49,900 price tag, notice. With a $49,900 price tag, Toyota isn’t asking for peanuts; Toyota isn’t asking for peanuts; they’re offering a sophisticated, they’re offering a sophisticated, tech-rich cruiser with surprising tech-rich cruiser with surprising efficiency. Under the hood (well, efficiency. Under the hood (well, under the sleek body) is a well- under the sleek body) is a well- tuned hybrid powertrain that tuned hybrid powertrain that delivers 42 city / 41 highway delivers 42 city / 41 highway MPG, meaning you can actually MPG, meaning you can actually enjoy a fun-looking sedan enjoy a fun-looking sedan without turning every stop at the without turning every stop at the pump into a therapy session. pump into a therapy session. This thing drives with a This thing drives with a relaxed confidence. It’s not trying relaxed confidence. It’s not trying to be a sports car, but the instant to be a sports car, but the instant torque from the hybrid system torque from the hybrid system gives you peppy moves when gives you peppy moves when you need them, like merging onto you need them, like merging onto the freeway without apologizing the freeway without apologizing to everyone in adjacent lanes. to everyone in adjacent lanes. The ride is composed and The ride is composed and smooth; it’s the kind of car that smooth; it’s the kind of car that says “refined commuter” and says “refined commuter” and “weekend escape hatch” equally “weekend escape hatch” equally well. Cabin design leans modern well. Cabin design leans modern and intuitive, with screens that and intuitive, with screens that feel responsive and materials feel responsive and materials that look more upscale than the that look more upscale than the sticker might imply. sticker might imply. Fuel economy that flirts with Fuel economy that flirts with the low-40s on both sides of the low-40s on both sides of town is a legit flex for a vehicle town is a legit flex for a vehicle this stylish, and the Nightshade this stylish, and the Nightshade trim wraps it in blacked-out trim wraps it in blacked-out accents that make the whole accents that make the whole package feel dramatic without package feel dramatic without trying too hard. The 2026 Crown trying too hard. The 2026 Crown Nightshade isn’t reinventing the Nightshade isn’t reinventing the wheel, it’s refining it: comfortable, wheel, it’s refining it: comfortable, efficient, and genuinely pleasant efficient, and genuinely pleasant to live with. If you want a daily to live with. If you want a daily driver that looks sharp, sips gas, driver that looks sharp, sips gas, and handles the mundane with and handles the mundane with class, the Crown Nightshade is a class, the Crown Nightshade is a compelling choice. compelling choice. Comfort: Value: Fuel Economy: Looks: The Drive: Safety & Security: Overall: Sound System: Bells & Whistles:
