The Most Exciting Toyotas of 2023

Though you are only halfway through the current year, the auto industry actually starts getting excited about and releasing the next model year during the summer. June, July, and August are prime times for manufacturers to start showing off what will be hitting the streets in the new year (or, in some cases, in the fall). Over the past several months, Toyota has announced five models for 2023 that, as your Marysville Toyota dealer, we are excited to be able to share with you. While it will still be a short wait before we actually get to slide behind the wheel of these models, we’re already excited to take them for a spin.

The Crown is rolling off the line for the U.S. for the first time since the 1970s in 2023, but some of the other names may sound familiar, like the Corolla, GR86, and the Tacoma. While you may think you’ve been properly acquainted with these models, the innovations Toyota has brought to the table for the new model year may come as a pleasant surprise. Here’s what we believe will be the most exciting Toyota models in 2023––or at least the models we’re the most excited to see because of their new and revamped features.

The 2023 Crown

The 2023 Crown is a brand new member of the Toyota lineup. In an age when many auto manufacturers have packed their lineup with crossovers and SUVs, Toyota has taken the opportunity to reimagine the full-sized sedan. From the exterior, it’s easy to see that the Crown isn’t like most sedans. Built on a brand new chassis developed from the GA-K platform that carries the Camry, the Crown is four inches higher than its famous older sibling, and all-wheel drive is standard on all models.

The Crown XLE and Limited trims are equipped with the Toyota Hybrid System, which utilizes a 2.5L engine for an estimated fuel economy of 38 miles per gallon combined. The Platinum trim includes the HYBRID MAX I-4, an all-new performance-based hybrid system that provides up to 340 horsepower while managing a combined fuel economy of 28 miles per gallon. While introducing a sedan to the U.S. market in 2023 sounds like a risky move, the Crown promises to be a zippy, sporty option for those who enjoy both power and saving money on fuel.

The 2023 Corolla Cross Hybrid

The name Corolla may sound familiar to those who remember the sedan, but the Corolla Cross Hybrid is a small SUV. Equipped with the newly-engineered Fifth Generation Toyota Hybrid System, the 2023 Corolla Cross Hybrid provides 194 horsepower, claims a 0 to 60 mile per hour acceleration time of 8 seconds, and offers an estimated 37 miles per gallon for combined city and highway driving. Plus, all models include standard electronic all-wheel drive, another first for the Toyota Corolla.

Each Corolla Cross Hybrid includes the Toyota Safety Sense suite of driver assistance technology, as well as Toyota’s newly introduced Audio Multimedia System. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity are also standard. The SE trim and above will also include a standard Blind-Spot Monitor and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. Additionally, the 2023 Corolla Cross Hybrid will be produced here in the United States at the new Mazda Toyota Manufacturing plant in Huntsville, Alabama.

The 2023 GR Corolla

The 2023 GR Corolla is another model that might not match your mental image of the traditional Toyota Corolla. The GR is a nod to Toyota Gazoo Racing, the team working to provide drivers with some of the most unique performance-centric street legal vehicles available today. The GR Corolla is powered by a 300-hp engine that supplies 273 lb-ft of torque. It’s also incredibly lightweight and engineered to zip through corners with ease. A manual transmission and rally-inspired GR-Four All-Wheel Drive are also on board, allowing drivers greater control with a choice of how power is distributed to the front and rear wheels.

The 2023 GR Corolla is offered in the Core, and Circuit Edition trims, with the Circuit Edition in limited production only. This version of the GR Corolla will include a carbon fiber roof, vented bulge hood, rear spoiler, and a shift knob signed by Morizo himself––master driver Akio Toyoda. Not to worry if you can’t catch the Circuit Edition––the Core comes well equipped with sport seats, wide-fender flares, a black rear lip spoiler, and Toyota’s all-new Audio Multimedia system.

The 2023 GR86

The GR86 second generation debuted with the 2022 model year, but 2023 is the tenth anniversary of the GR86. To celebrate this very special year, Toyota is releasing a limited-run 10th Anniversary Special Edition. Decked out in Solar Shift orange paint with a matte-black cat-back steel exhaust system and matte black duckbill spoiler, the GR86 10th Anniversary model is a force to be reckoned with. The ultrasuede and leather-trimmed interior also feature Solar Shift orange contrast stitching, leaving no doubt that you are in the presence of a truly special vehicle.

The GR86 is powered by a 2.4L boxer-4 engine that provides 228 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque, tuned in such a way that drivers can enjoy a 0-60 mile per hour trip of 6.1 seconds when the six-speed manual transmission is selected. Automatic drivers fear not; the available six-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission with intelligence (ECT-i) can accelerate from 0-60 in 6.6 seconds. If you’re ready to join the GR family, the GR86 has what it takes to make driving an entirely different type of experience.

The 2023 Tacoma

The Toyota Tacoma has been the top-selling midsize pickup truck in the U.S. for 17 years running. Part of this is due to the level of customization Toyota offers Tacoma drivers. With your choice of Access Cab or four-door Double Cab, two-wheel or four-wheel drive configurations, two engine options, multiple trim levels, and a plethora of optional packages, Toyota makes it easy for drivers to get exactly the truck they need to get the job done.

These options expand even further in 2023 with two new packages for the SR5 trim. The SX Package was previously offered for SR drivers but now adds black overfenders, blackout trim with black wheels, and mirrors to the SR5 as well. Toyota has coordinated the appearance of the SX package down to the black lugnuts, making it a truly fierce presence on the road. As the name implies, the Chrome package makes the Tacoma SR5 sparkle with 18-inch chrome-finished wheels, outer door handles, and exhaust tip. Chrome and leather accents around the exterior and in the cabin give this truck the ability to shine.

Ready for the 2023 Toyota Lineup?

The 2023 Toyota lineup offers a lot of different types of vehicles for many different drivers. It’s this level of variety that has us looking forward to serving customers just like you in the new model year. Whether you’re interested in speed and performance, saving on your gasoline budget, or looking for a truck that matches your personality, 2023 promises to be a very exciting year for nearly every type of driver.

If one or more of these models has your attention, the time is right to get just as excited as we are. Keep your eye out for more details as Toyota prepares to launch these new models for the 2023 driving year. While the calendar may still say “2022,” it’s just the right time to plan ahead. If you’re ready to start shopping for a new Toyota, consider the Crown, Corolla Cross Hybrid, GR Corolla, GR86, and Tacoma as some of the shining new members of the Toyota lineup for the new year.