Does the Toyota Crown have a 2JZ engine?

Some do. Depending on generation and trim, Crowns came with the 1JZ or 2JZ inline-six — the same engine families as the Supra and Chaser — making them comfortable cruisers with serious tuning potential.

What's the difference between Crown Royal Saloon and Athlete?

Royal Saloon is the comfort-focused luxury trim with a softer setup and formal styling. Athlete is the sportier line with firmer suspension, sharper styling, and turbocharged engine options.

Is the Toyota Crown rear-wheel drive?

Yes, the Crown is a rear-wheel-drive platform (with four-wheel drive offered on some variants), which is part of its appeal to enthusiasts.

Is a Toyota Crown street-legal in the U.S.?

Crowns 25+ years old import legally under the federal age exemption. As a passenger sedan, registration is generally straightforward — confirm your state's emissions and titling requirements.

Why import a Crown instead of a Chaser or Mark II?

The Crown offers more luxury and space while sharing the same engine families. If you want a comfortable, under-the-radar sleeper rather than a compact drift-oriented sedan, the Crown is a compelling choice.

← Import guide overview

Toyota Crown · JDM sedan import

Toyota Crown import guide

JDM luxury sedan · 1JZ / 2JZ · Royal & Athlete

The Toyota Crown is Japan's flagship luxury sedan — plush, rear-drive, and often packing the same legendary 1JZ and 2JZ engines found in the Supra and Chaser. It's an under-the-radar import that blends comfort with serious tuning potential.

1JZ / 2JZ power
Rear-wheel drive
JDM luxury

View Crown inventory Source one from Japan

At a glance

Toyota Crown quick facts

Type: Full-size luxury sedan
Engine: 1JZ / 2JZ inline-6, V8 on some Majesta
Drivetrain: Rear-wheel drive (4WD on some)
Key trims: Royal Saloon (luxury), Athlete (sport)
Generations: S150 (1995–2001), S170 (1999–2007), S180 (2003–08)
Import eligibility: 25+ year examples are FMVSS-exempt

Overview

Why import a Toyota Crown

The Crown has been Toyota's domestic flagship for generations, offering executive-level comfort that was never sold in the U.S. For enthusiasts, the appeal goes deeper: many Crowns share the bulletproof 1JZ and 2JZ inline-sixes that made the Supra and Chaser famous.

That means you can have a quiet, comfortable cruiser that also responds beautifully to the same well-known tuning path — a sleeper in the truest sense.

Executive JDM luxury never sold new in the U.S.
Shared 1JZ/2JZ engines with huge tuning support
Rear-wheel-drive platform
Royal Saloon comfort or Athlete sport flavor

Generations

Crown generations & variants

The S150 (1995–2001) is fully or progressively import-eligible and a great entry point, with the turbo 1JZ-GTE available in Athlete V trims. The S170 (1999–2007) modernizes the platform, and the related Majesta adds a V8 flagship option — both becoming eligible year by year.

Royal Saloon — the comfort-focused luxury trim
Athlete — sportier suspension and styling, turbo options
Majesta — long-wheelbase V8 flagship variant
S150 / S170 / S180 generations for import

Buyer notes

What to look for at auction

Turbo health and service history on 1JZ-GTE Athlete models
Air-suspension condition where fitted
Electronics and luxury-feature function
Rust on older S150 examples
Auction grade, mileage, and original-condition notes

Importing

Importing a Crown to the U.S.

Under the U.S. 25-year rule, a vehicle is exempt from FMVSS once it is at least 25 years old. Eligibility is rolling — each model year becomes importable on the anniversary of its build date.

As a full-size passenger sedan, the Crown registers like any other 25+ year import once federally cleared — generally simpler than a kei vehicle, but confirm your state's emissions and titling rules.

Keep exploring

Related import guides

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Toyota Mark II

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The Chaser's refined sibling — same JZX platform and 1JZ-GTE Tourer V driveline.

Nissan Skyline

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The JDM icon — R32/R33/R34 GT-R and GTS-t with legendary RB twin-turbo power.

FAQ

Toyota Crown import — common questions

Does the Toyota Crown have a 2JZ engine?: Some do. Depending on generation and trim, Crowns came with the 1JZ or 2JZ inline-six — the same engine families as the Supra and Chaser — making them comfortable cruisers with serious tuning potential.
What's the difference between Crown Royal Saloon and Athlete?: Royal Saloon is the comfort-focused luxury trim with a softer setup and formal styling. Athlete is the sportier line with firmer suspension, sharper styling, and turbocharged engine options.
Is the Toyota Crown rear-wheel drive?: Yes, the Crown is a rear-wheel-drive platform (with four-wheel drive offered on some variants), which is part of its appeal to enthusiasts.
Is a Toyota Crown street-legal in the U.S.?: Crowns 25+ years old import legally under the federal age exemption. As a passenger sedan, registration is generally straightforward — confirm your state's emissions and titling requirements.
Why import a Crown instead of a Chaser or Mark II?: The Crown offers more luxury and space while sharing the same engine families. If you want a comfortable, under-the-radar sleeper rather than a compact drift-oriented sedan, the Crown is a compelling choice.

Import eligibility and state registration rules change over time and vary by vehicle. Confirm current requirements before purchasing. This page is informational only and not legal advice.

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