The 2025 Toyota Crown Signia: Toyota’s Bold New Hybrid Crossover
"Dude, that’s a total wagon," exclaimed one observant onlooker, upon setting eyes on the 2025 Toyota Crown Signia. And he wasn’t entirely off the mark. Toyota’s latest entry into the hybrid market blurs the lines between a wagon and a crossover, flaunting a long and low profile that sets it apart from typical sedans.
A Closer Look at the Crown Signia
From an aesthetic standpoint, the Crown Signia’s ground clearance is just a tad higher than a traditional sedan’s, though it appears more wagon-like. Dimensionally, it aligns closer to models such as the Subaru Outback or the Volvo V60 Cross Country rather than the Lexus NX or Toyota’s own Venza, which the Signia is poised to replace. Interestingly, it lacks a tinted rear window, an element usually ubiquitous in modern crossovers.
Redefining the Sedan
At Autoblog, the sentiment is clear: a new wagon is a welcome addition, but labeling it as a crossover enhances its appeal to a broader audience. The Crown Signia isn’t merely an elongated version of the Crown sedan; it’s Toyota’s ambitious attempt to reinvent the sedan concept. Despite sharing the TNGA platform and certain interior and mechanical elements with the Crown sedan, the Signia stands out with additional ground clearance, a taller body, and slightly altered dimensions, all while maintaining a hybrid powertrain.
Brand Ambitions
The name "Signia" finds no place on the car body itself, with "Crown" taking precedence, a clear directive from Chairman Akio Toyoda to highlight the Crown sub-brand. Historically, the Crown has been Toyota’s flagship in Japan, a stately sedan often used as a limousine. However, the new Crown Signia diverges from this legacy, offering a contemporary take with standard XLE and Limited trims featuring leather seats, thanks to feedback against cloth-upholstered seats initially intended for the $44,985 XLE model.
Performance and Powertrain
Under the hood, the Crown Signia houses Toyota’s fourth-generation hybrid system. It includes a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that, while reliable, emits a noise reminiscent of a leaf blower, a far cry from the refined fifth-generation systems offered in the latest Camry and Prius models. The powertrain produces a modest 240 horsepower, sufficient for a midsize crossover but leaving ample room for improvement. Despite this, the Signia shines with impressive fuel economy—39 mpg city, 37 mpg highway, and 38 mpg combined—competing well within its segment.
Driving Experience
Our brief test drive traversed mountain roads, which unfortunately highlighted the less refined aspects of the fourth-generation hybrid system. The e-CVT revs fluctuated noticeably with gas pedal inputs, detracting from the driving experience. However, the Signia demonstrated commendable handling, especially with its rear-wheel-drive electric motor capable of a 20:80 power distribution during cornering. While the steering lacked substantial feedback, the overall drive felt more car-like compared to crossovers like the RAV4.
Interior and Features
Stepping inside, the Crown Signia offers convenience and tech aplenty. The cabin features a vertical phone charger, USB-C ports, and a user-friendly 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with a stable menu design during Apple CarPlay use. Standard gear includes a 12.3-inch digital instrument display, leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and a power liftgate. Limited trims add a fixed panoramic glass roof, ambient lighting, an 11-speaker JBL sound system, and Digital Key smartphone access.
Spacious and Practical
Interior space stands out, with rear legroom slightly less than the Crown sedan but more accommodating than the Venza. A six-foot-three passenger can comfortably sit behind a driver of the same height, and cargo capacity impresses with 25.8 cubic feet for the XLE and 24.8 cubic feet for the Limited. Although less than what the RAV4 offers, the Crown Signia’s space is strategically utilized, favoring length and width over height.
Verdict
Priced between $44,985 and $49,385, the Crown Signia positions itself as a better-equipped alternative to equally priced luxury SUVs, mainstream SUVs, and some budget-friendly options. Despite its few drawbacks, it offers a spacious interior, stellar fuel economy, and noteworthy standard features, making it a compelling choice in its category.
Ultimately, the Crown Signia redefines the boundaries between wagons and crossovers. Whether you call it a crossover or a wagon, just don’t call it a Nagoya hotel.
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Jack Carney, Editor of Automotive.fyi
