Is Toyota Crown same as Lexus GS?

The Crown and the GS: Cousins, Not Twins

The Lexus GS and the Toyota Crown, both premium sedans, share a fascinating history intertwined yet distinct. While a casual observer might assume a close relationship given their overlapping market segments and similar styling cues in certain generations, the reality is more nuanced than a simple “same car” answer. The truth lies in a shared past, but with diverging paths leading to ultimately different vehicles.

Until 2011, the Lexus GS and Toyota Crown did indeed share a fundamental kinship: their chassis. This common architectural foundation explains certain similarities in handling characteristics and overall driving feel during that period. Both models, generally, favored a rear-wheel-drive layout, showcasing Toyota’s commitment to sporty handling in the premium segment. The six-cylinder engine was a staple across various iterations of both cars, delivering a balance of performance and refinement. The Lexus GS, however, often pushed the performance envelope further, with optional V8 powertrains adding a significant edge in terms of acceleration and power delivery.

The divergence in their evolution became more apparent in the mid-2000s. While both continued to refine their chassis and powertrains, the Lexus GS began to explore alternative powertrains, introducing hybrid options and all-wheel drive in 2005. This move solidified the GS’s position as a technologically advanced competitor within the luxury sedan market. These advancements weren’t always mirrored in the Toyota Crown at the same pace, reflecting the different target audiences and brand positioning. The Crown, while premium, retained a stronger focus on the Japanese domestic market, and its feature sets and technological rollouts often followed a separate trajectory.

Therefore, while the Lexus GS and Toyota Crown shared a significant lineage, particularly up until 2011, categorically stating they are the “same car” is inaccurate. Their shared chassis provided a common foundation, influencing their handling characteristics and engineering principles, but their evolutionary paths, technological advancements, and target markets diverged over time, resulting in two distinctly different vehicles with unique identities. The legacy of their shared heritage is visible, but it’s crucial to recognize the separate journeys and unique features that define each model individually.