The odd Toyota on the block
It’s not every day that a Toyota makes you stop and look twice, but the Crown Signia does. I know because I had it on loan for a week, and there were a couple of times when I would come out to the car only to see a few people standing around it and checking it out. I don’t blame any curious onlookers, considering the Crown Signia is a bit of an oddball, but it’s a purposeful one at that.
If you have never heard of it, the Crown Signia is Toyota’s latest SUV offering and crossover sibling to the Crown sedan. That means that a hybrid powertrain is the sole engine choice, and all-wheel drive is part of the equation. In fact, it comes standard on every trim level. The Crown Signia features a nicer interior than most of its stablemates, along with a spacious design and more capability. It also offers plenty of premium features that are available as options, in addition to a quiet and comfortable ride. However, it’s not very sporty, so you may have to look elsewhere if you’re looking for something more engaging to drive.
Joe Santos
That said, the Crown Signia competes with certain mainstream models, including the Honda Passport, Hyundai Santa Fe, and Nissan Murano. If you do want more sportiness, the Mazda CX-5 is also a worthy competitor worth checking out, but if you like a serene drive, then the 2025 Toyota Crown Signia is an excellent choice.
The Crown Signia has a slight identity crisis
The Crown Signia is an all-new model that effectively replaced the Toyota Venza. It’s larger than the RAV4 and smaller than the three-row Highlander, but its starting price is more expensive than both of them. That said, there’s a bit of an identity crisis going on as far as what this Crown SUV really is. But the interesting part is that it just works.
To clarify, the Crown Signia has a sleek, coupe-like roofline, a raised ride height, and a futuristic front end that looks very EV-like. Basically, if Toyota wanted to make a Subaru Outback, this is it. I think it looks a little better than the Subie, though. Additionally, the Crown Signia’s interior is far more upscale, with its faux-leather seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and large infotainment screen. The overall fit and finish are really good, and I found the JBL sound system to be exceptional. It looks and feels like a luxury car without the premium price tag, but the exterior look may be polarizing for some.
Joe Santos
The hybrid powertrain has guts and gas-sipping glory
Under the Crown Signia’s hood is a 2.5-liter hybrid powertrain that’s connected to an all-wheel-drive system. The setup consists of three electric motors to assist the engine and drive the front and rear axles. It produces 243 horsepower, and a continuously variable automatic transmission is standard. That said, although the combination is powerful enough to get the car over some rough trails and mild hills, it’s not exactly exciting to drive.
Joe Santos
The continuously variable transmission, or CVT, dampens the fun a little, but the car still gets off the line with some gusto and passes slower cars on the highway, thanks to the electric assist. During my week of driving the Crown Signia, I noticed that it favored quiet, comfortable cruising over backroad carving agility, which is appropriate for the segment. Some tests have shown a 0-60-mph time of seven seconds flat, which is not slow by any means, but it’s definitely not a rocket.
However, where the Crown Signia really shines is in fuel economy. After driving it for a week through highway traffic and stop-and-go city streets, I averaged 39 mpg, which is better than the EPA-estimated 38 mpg combined rating.
There’s enough space for five and some of their stuff
When it comes to interior space, the Toyota Crown Signia has a lot of it. The front row boasts plenty of room for the driver and passenger, with decent headroom to boot. The backseat is large enough for three across as well, but the slight hump in the floor can make it tough for tall passengers trying to squeeze into the middle seat.
Joe Santos
Cargo space is decent for the class, with 25 cubic feet of trunk room behind the second row. It does get slightly cut off by the sloping roofline and high load floor, so if you have tall items to tote around, it could be tricky. However, folding the rear seats reveals 66 cubic feet of space, which can be helpful when hauling larger cargo.
Joe Santos
The Crown Signia is priced well for the segment
Pricing for the Crown Signia starts at around $44,000 and climbs to over $50,000 when fully loaded. My top-trim Limited tester for the week came out to $52,160, which is not cheap, but you’re paying for design, comfort, and reputable hybrid technology that you know will last for years. Compared to its Lexus NX counterpart, the Crown Signia feels like a solid value for buyers who want something premium but not understated.
Joe Santos
Final thoughts
The 2025 Toyota Crown Signia is a stylish and comfortable hybrid crossover that fills an interesting gap in the market. It’s not sporty, and it’s not built for off-roading, so those weekend adventures in the woods may be off the table. However, it is perfect for someone looking for quiet luxury, hybrid efficiency, and Toyota reliability wrapped into one odd-looking but elegant package.
It’s more refined than a RAV4, more efficient than the outgoing Venza, and just different enough to stand out without screaming for attention. The Crown Signia is not a car that will give you on-road thrills, but it might just surprise you with its comfort and poised ride quality. Also, don’t be surprised if curious onlookers tend to gather around it.