Toyota continues its model refresh with the introduction of the 2025 Toyota Crown Signia, a vehicle that revives a classic nameplate but enters a somewhat ambiguous category. Is it a car? Is it an SUV? This new Crown Signia attempts to blend the practicality of a wagon with the higher stance of an SUV, offering a hybrid-only powertrain and an upscale interior, at least by Toyota standards. However, questions arise regarding its aesthetic appeal and its positioning in a competitive market, especially considering its price point. Let’s delve into a detailed 2025 Toyota Crown Signia review to see if this unique offering hits the mark.
Image: The 2025 Toyota Crown Signia is reviewed by automotive experts at The Road Beat.
Fuel Efficiency and Real-World Range: Bridging Expectations and Reality
The promise of 37 MPG on the window sticker is undoubtedly enticing, especially in today’s market. In real-world testing, the Crown Signia still achieves a respectable 33 MPG in mixed driving conditions. However, a peculiar aspect emerged during testing: the onboard range estimate. Initially displaying an optimistic 591 miles on a full tank, the actual range calculated during a road trip to Donner Lake fell significantly short, not even reaching 400 miles by the end of the evaluation. This discrepancy of over 30% raises concerns about the accuracy and reliability of the range estimation system, a crucial element for drivers who rely on such information for trip planning and fuel management.
Image: The interior of the 2025 Toyota Crown Signia Limited trim, showcasing its design and features.
Powertrain Performance: Seamless Hybrid Operation with a Noisy Engine
Toyota’s expertise in hybrid technology shines through in the Crown Signia’s powertrain. The hybrid system operates with remarkable smoothness, exhibiting none of the jerky transitions or hesitations sometimes associated with hybrids. Power delivery is responsive, and the CVT transmission complements the electric motor and combustion engine integration. However, the four-cylinder combustion engine itself is a significant drawback. It produces a noticeable and unpleasant moaning and groaning sound at various speeds, detracting from the perceived luxury that the Crown line aims to embody. This engine noise was remarked upon by passengers, highlighting its intrusive nature. While the combined 240 horsepower provides adequate acceleration, reaching 60 MPH in around seven seconds, the overall experience is marred by the unrefined engine sound, especially considering the vehicle’s price point exceeding $50,000. Passing maneuvers are readily executed thanks to the powertrain’s responsiveness, but they are accompanied by the same unwelcome engine noise.
Image: Rear exterior view of the Toyota Crown Signia, displaying its wagon-like silhouette.
Interior Comfort and Features: A Step Up for Toyota
Moving inside, the 2025 Toyota Crown Signia presents a more positive picture. The cabin stands out as one of Toyota’s most refined efforts to date. Soft, high-quality materials are used throughout, coupled with Toyota’s renowned build quality, resulting in a solid and rattle-free environment. The 12-inch infotainment display is user-friendly and intuitive, lauded as one of the easiest systems to navigate in the automotive landscape. The inclusion of physical buttons for climate controls is a welcome feature, offering tactile operation in contrast to the increasing trend of digital-only interfaces. For those who appreciate traditional luxury cues, the Limited trim features genuine leather seats. While road noise levels are not exceptional, the Crown Signia provides a comfortable ride overall, particularly for longer journeys, with ample rear legroom thanks to its substantial 194-inch length.
Image: The 2025 Toyota Crown Signia in Finish Line Red paint color, highlighting its exterior styling.
Driving Experience and Handling: Prioritizing Comfort Over Engagement
Despite its comfortable ride, the Crown Signia’s driving dynamics are characterized as uninspiring. The steering is muted, and the handling is described as rubbery, lacking the sharpness and engagement found in vehicles from brands like Mazda and Genesis. While not intended for spirited driving on winding roads, the Crown Signia’s composure and willingness to respond to driver inputs are underwhelming. It prioritizes effortless, numb transportation over a more connected driving experience. Cornering at higher speeds reveals noticeable body roll, diminishing its grip and reinforcing its more SUV-like, rather than wagon-like, dynamic behavior. The overall driving experience is described as boring, emphasizing its focus on comfort and ease of use rather than driver enjoyment.
Image: Rear seats of the Toyota Crown Signia interior, showcasing passenger space and comfort.
Pricing and Value: Questioning the Crown Signia’s Place
With a starting price of $52,565 for the Limited trim, the 2025 Toyota Crown Signia faces a significant challenge in justifying its value proposition. Potential buyers seeking a large Toyota SUV might find more compelling options in the Highlander or Grand Highlander, both offering the added practicality of three-row seating. However, the most direct competitor to the Crown Signia comes from within Toyota’s own family: Lexus. The Lexus RX 350h, priced in a similar range, shares the same powertrain as the Crown Signia but boasts a more appealing design and a demonstrably more luxurious interior. Given their comparable size and powertrain, the question arises: why would a buyer choose the Toyota over the Lexus? Furthermore, Lexus offers the slightly smaller NX 350h, which delivers a more engaging driving experience with better body control, further complicating the Crown Signia’s position in the market.
Image: Front seats and dashboard of the Toyota Crown Signia Limited interior, highlighting the driver and passenger areas.
Design and Aesthetics: A Subjective Point of Contention
The exterior styling of the Crown Signia is a point of subjective debate. The reviewer expresses a dislike for the “squinty eyes” headlight design, comparing them to sleepy pop-up headlamps that are not fully raised, finding them out of sync with the rest of the vehicle’s aesthetic. While acknowledging Toyota’s boldness in attempting to carve out a niche with this design, the review suggests that Toyota’s strength does not traditionally lie in niche vehicles, and the Crown Signia’s styling may not be universally appealing enough to establish a strong market presence based on looks alone.
Conclusion: A Comfortable but Questionable Choice
The 2025 Toyota Crown Signia offers a comfortable cabin and a distinctive design that might appeal to some. However, its noisy engine, uninspiring driving dynamics, and high price tag, particularly when compared to alternatives within the Toyota and Lexus families, raise serious questions about its overall value. While it may cater to a specific niche of buyers seeking a Toyota wagon with a unique look, for most consumers in the over $50,000 price range, more compelling options offering greater luxury, performance, or practicality are readily available.
Pros:
- Upscale Toyota interior.
- Wagon body style offers practicality.
Cons:
- Noisy and unrefined engine.
- Questionable exterior styling.
- Price overlaps with more luxurious Lexus RX 350h.
More Photos of the Toyota Crown Signia
Image: A vibrant red 2025 Toyota Crown Signia is presented in a detailed studio shot.
Image: Overview of the Toyota Crown Signia’s interior, focusing on the dashboard and front cabin.
Image: Interior elements of the Toyota Crown Signia are closely examined in an interior review setting.
Image: A general view of the 2025 Toyota Crown Signia, summarizing the essence of the vehicle review.
Thank you for reading this 2025 Toyota Crown Signia review. For more car reviews and automotive insights, please explore our website.
