As the Crown hardtop had become the flagship model instead of the sedan, only the hardtop was redesigned in October 1991 to enter the ninth generation, leaving the sedan unchanged. First released in September 1987, the eighth-generation sedan was not redesigned until December 1995. The Crown Comfort, designed for use as a taxi, was also introduced at this time. As government officials and corporate executives were its principal users, the new Crown sedan retained the traditional, conservative styling. The mechanisms were upgraded to the latest specifications, however, employing a monocoque body and double wishbone front and rear suspensions.

The sedan came in two body sizes, one classified in the "5 number" category and the other in the larger "3 number" category. Both models featured a more spacious rear cabin and greater ride comfort over their predecessors. The engine lineup consisted of three VVT-i inline 6-cylinder DOHC units (3-liter 220 PS, 2.5-liter 180 PS, 2-liter 135 PS) and a 4-cylinder 97 PS turbo diesel. The basic drivetrain layout was front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, and a full-time 4-wheel-drive version was also made available to deal with snow-covered surfaces and other slippery road conditions.

As for the station wagon and van line, the existing eighth-generation models continued to be offered with minor improvements. Sales of the van were discontinued in December 1999.