Produced from 1995 to 1999, the JZS155 is the tenth-generation Crown and a genuine engineering milestone: the first unibody Crown built with a pillarless hardtop body and frameless door windows, and the very first production Toyota to debut VVT-i variable valve timing. It's less chased by tuners than some of the other cars on this list, and that's exactly its appeal — a genuinely elegant, mechanically significant JDM sedan that's still affordable.
Overview
Every JZS155 runs the naturally aspirated 3.0L 2JZ-GE — Toyota never offered a factory turbo grade on this generation, unlike the JZS171 that followed it. Grades ran from the entry-level Extra and Deluxe sedans up through Royal Saloon, Royal Touring and the range-topping Royal Saloon G hardtop, with the pillarless hardtop body available across the Royal lineup. The VVT-i system debuted here would go on to become standard across nearly every Toyota engine that followed, making this an unusually significant car for what looks, at a glance, like a conservative executive sedan.
Royal Saloon / Royal Saloon G
Royal Saloon G is the range-topping pillarless hardtop grade with the fullest equipment level — the one most import buyers are after.
2JZ-GE VVT-i, 3.0L
Naturally aspirated across the entire JZS155 range — no factory turbo grade exists on this generation, unlike the Athlete V that came after it.
Auction Pricing
Japanese market data puts clean JZS155 Royal-grade values broadly between ¥400,000 and ¥1,200,000, making it one of the more affordable ways into a genuinely well-engineered 2JZ-powered JDM sedan. Exceptional, low-mileage Royal Saloon G examples with full service history can command a premium over that range — condition matters enormously at this price point, which is why we inspect every car ourselves before you commit to a bid.
What to Check
As a heavily equipped luxury sedan, electrical systems are the priority: power seats, climate control, and the pillarless hardtop's window seals and mechanisms are all common sources of age-related faults, and frameless windows in particular are worth testing for correct seal and alignment. Rust around the rear arches, sills and boot floor is worth checking as on any 25-plus-year-old JDM car, and full service history matters more than mileage alone given the car's complexity.
Import Eligibility
Fully Eligible
Every JZS155, from the first 1995 cars to the last 1999 models, cleared the 25-year import threshold years ago. No waiting on eligibility here.
Fully Eligible
The entire JZS155 production run cleared the federal 25-year exemption years ago. State registration requirements still vary — see our Import page.
MOT Only
Well past the 10-year IVA threshold, so a standard MOT is all that's needed to register — no IVA test required.
FAQ
Is there a turbo JZS155 Crown?
No — every JZS155 runs the naturally aspirated 2JZ-GE. The factory turbo Athlete V grade didn't arrive until the JZS171 generation that followed. If a turbo Crown is what you're after, see our JZS171 Crown guide.
Why import a Crown instead of a Chaser or Mark II?
The Crown sits a notch above the JZX-chassis triplets in size, equipment and market position — it's Toyota's genuine flagship-adjacent sedan rather than a sport-luxury compact. If you want more presence and comfort with the same engine family underneath, the Crown is worth a serious look.