The sixth-generation Crown was placed on the market in September 1979, in a full model change after an interval of nearly five years. The body design succeeded and refined the predecessor's linear styling. Body variations included a 4-door sedan, 2- and 4-door hardtops, a station wagon and a van. The 4-door pillared hardtop adopted unobtrusive center pillars that were virtually invisible when the door glass was rolled up. This center pillar design was so well received that it became a standard feature of the Crown in the 1980s onwards.

The choice of power units included a 2.8-liter 5M-EU engine (that was enhanced from the previous 2.6-liter unit), 2,000 cc EFI (M-EU) and 2,000 cc (M-U) engines, as well as a 2,200 cc diesel (L) unit. The gearbox and suspension systems were also inherited from the preceding model. Befitting a formal saloon, the accessories became even more luxurious than before, and the top-end 2800 Royal Saloon model offered a microprocessor-based cruise control system as an option. In October 1980, the 2000 turbo version joined the lineup as Toyota's first turbocharged model. In August 1981, a 2,800 cc DOHC (5M-GEU) engine version was added to the 2800 Royal Saloon. This was the same engine that had already been used on the Soarer and the Celica XX. At the same time, the 2,000 cc inline 6-cylinder SOHC engine (except for the turbocharged version) was upgraded from the traditional Type M series to the next-generation 1G-EU. The diesel engine was replaced with a new 2,400 cc unit in August 1982.