
The 2012 Crown model belongs to the thirteenth generation of the Crown series. The Crown has maintained a generational update cycle of approximately 4-5 years. The first-generation Crown was introduced in 1955, featuring a double-wishbone front suspension, a 1.5-liter engine, and a dedicated sedan chassis, marking the beginning of a true sedan. The Crown is a mid-to-large-sized sedan brand under the Toyota Group. Below are some key highlights of its generational evolution: 1. 1995 Tenth-generation Crown: Adopted a unibody construction for the first time and introduced new technologies like VSC and VVT-I, significantly enhancing driving stability. 2. 1999 Eleventh-generation Crown: Blended traditional Crown styling with modern, elegant design elements and debuted a 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder direct injection engine. 3. 2004 Twelfth-generation Crown: Equipped with a 3.0-liter V6 engine, dual VVT-I, and a 6-speed AT, achieving an optimal balance of comfort and sportiness. 4. 2009 Thirteenth-generation Crown: Notably, the domestically produced Crown in China was not a direct import of the Japanese thirteenth-generation model but underwent comprehensive tuning tailored to the Chinese luxury car market, target demographics, road conditions, and climate. 5. 2014 Fourteenth-generation All-new Crown: Measures 5020mm in length, 1805mm in width, 1480mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2925mm. It boasts a top speed of 230km/h and accelerates from 0 to 100km/h in just 7.7 seconds.

I've been driving for twenty years and have a special fondness for the Crown. The 12th-generation Crown belongs to the thirteenth generation of the model, which debuted in 2008 and was produced until the end of 2012. It retained the elegant styling of the twelfth generation but featured a more three-dimensional grille and sleeker taillight design. I test-drove this car back then; the 3.0-liter V6 engine paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission delivered exceptionally smooth acceleration, and the noise insulation was significantly better than in older models. The combination of wood trim and leather seats in the cabin was classic, and the rear seating offered ample legroom. This generation of the Crown is still quite common in the used car market today, and it remains a worthwhile purchase if in good condition.

In our car enthusiast circle, we often discuss the generations of the Crown. The 2012 Crown is clearly the 13th generation, with the chassis code GRS21x series. It was sold in China from 2010 to early 2013, after which it was replaced by the 14th generation with a sportier design. I remember two particularly interesting details about this generation: first, it was the first to come standard with knee airbags across the entire lineup, and second, the high-end version featured an air suspension system. Many veteran car enthusiasts consider this generation the most classic because it retained the pure comfort tuning, unlike the more aggressive newer models. When buying a used one, pay attention to the aging engine mounts—repair costs can be quite expensive.

After checking the information, it has been confirmed that the 12th-generation Crown is actually the 13th generation. This generation's production cycle ran from late 2008 to mid-2012, bridging the gap between the 12th and 14th generations. The most notable exterior change was the elimination of the downward-sloping front end, replaced with a more three-dimensional grille design. It retained the 2.5L and 3.0L engine options, with a chassis tuned for comfort. If you come across a Crown with a 4.3L engine, those are limited-edition VIP models. Nowadays, you can pick up one of these used for around 50,000 to 60,000 yuan, but keep in mind they have relatively high fuel consumption, making them less economical for daily commuting compared to current hybrid models.


