Toyota’s lineup is undergoing a significant refresh, and amidst the changes, they’ve reintroduced a familiar nameplate with a twist: the Crown. Initially launched as an unconventional sedan-crossover hybrid, Toyota has expanded the Crown family with the Signia, a model that further blurs the lines between wagon and SUV. While the 2025 Toyota Crown Signia boasts a hybrid-only powertrain and an upscale interior for a Toyota, its polarizing aesthetics and premium price tag place it in a peculiar spot within the competitive automotive market. This Crown Signia Review delves into whether this unique vehicle carves out a valuable niche or gets lost in the shuffle.
Alt text: Front quarter view of the 2025 Toyota Crown Signia in red, showcasing its wagon-SUV crossover design.
Hybrid Performance and Fuel Economy: A Mixed Bag
The promise of 37 MPG on the window sticker is certainly enticing, and in real-world testing, the Crown Signia still achieves a respectable 33 MPG in mixed driving conditions. However, a notable discrepancy arose with the onboard range estimate. Initially displaying an impressive 591 miles on a full tank, the actual range calculated during a road trip fell short, totaling under 400 miles. This significant variance in range estimation raises concerns about the reliability of the fuel economy calculations, especially for a modern vehicle where such metrics are typically accurate.
Alt text: Interior view of the 2025 Toyota Crown Signia Limited trim, highlighting the dashboard and front seats in a light color.
While Toyota’s hybrid systems are renowned for their seamless operation, the Crown Signia’s powertrain has a notable drawback: the four-cylinder engine. Despite the hybrid system’s smooth transitions and lack of hesitation, the engine itself is described as noisy and unrefined, particularly under acceleration. This audible intrusion detracts from the perceived luxury that the Crown line aims to embody, with passengers readily noticing the unpleasant engine sound. The combined 240 horsepower is adequate for daily driving, enabling a 0-60 MPH acceleration in around seven seconds. The responsive nature of the hybrid powertrain and CVT transmission facilitates easy passing maneuvers, but these are accompanied by the unwelcome engine noise.
Interior Comfort and Features: Toyota Quality with a Touch of Luxury
On the positive side, the 2025 Toyota Crown Signia is equipped with Toyota’s standard suite of safety features, which generally function effectively. The radar cruise control, while sometimes intrusive, can be deactivated for drivers who prefer manual control. The cabin boasts a user-friendly 12-inch infotainment display, praised for its intuitive navigation and ease of use. The inclusion of physical buttons for climate controls is a welcome feature, contrasting with the increasing trend of digital-only interfaces.
Alt text: Rear exterior view of the Toyota Crown Signia in red, emphasizing its wagon shape and taillight design.
The interior of the Crown Signia represents a high point for Toyota, featuring soft-touch materials and robust build quality typical of the brand. The cabin is free from rattles and squeaks, contributing to a sense of solidity. The Limited trim includes genuine leather seats, appealing to those who prefer traditional materials. While road noise levels aren’t exceptional, the Crown Signia provides a comfortable ride for longer journeys, with ample rear legroom thanks to its generous 194-inch length.
Driving Dynamics: Comfort Over Cornering
Despite its comfortable ride, the Crown Signia’s driving experience is described as uninspiring and detached. The steering is muted, and the handling feels rubbery, prioritizing comfort over driver engagement. While not intended for spirited driving on winding roads, the vehicle lacks the composure and responsiveness found in models from brands like Mazda and Genesis, which have successfully blended comfort and dynamic handling. The driving experience is characterized as bland, with little to excite enthusiasts. Entering corners at higher speeds reveals considerable body roll and a reduction in road grip. Despite its wagon-like appearance, the Crown Signia’s driving dynamics lean closer to a less agile SUV.
Alt text: Toyota Crown Signia in Finish Line Red color, parked at an outdoor location, showcasing its overall profile.
Pricing and Competition: The Lexus Question
The starting price of $52,565 for the Limited trim raises critical questions about the Crown Signia’s value proposition. For buyers seeking a large Toyota SUV, the Highlander and Grand Highlander offer more practical three-row seating. However, the most significant challenge to the Crown Signia comes from within Toyota’s own family: Lexus. The price range of the Crown Signia overlaps with the Lexus RX 350h, which shares the same engine but boasts a more refined design and a more luxurious interior. Given the price proximity, choosing the Toyota over the more prestigious Lexus becomes difficult to justify. Both vehicles share the same 194-inch length, but the Lexus RX offers superior cargo space behind the rear seats. Furthermore, the slightly smaller Lexus NX 350h provides a more engaging driving experience with better body control.
Alt text: Interior of the Toyota Crown Signia, focusing on the rear seats and spacious legroom.
Conclusion
The 2025 Toyota Crown Signia is a vehicle with a distinct identity, offering a comfortable cabin and unique styling. However, at a price point exceeding $50,000, it faces strong competition, including compelling alternatives within Toyota and Lexus. Unless the Crown Signia’s unconventional aesthetics strongly appeal to a buyer, more luxurious and dynamically superior options are available for the money. Ultimately, the Crown Signia occupies a niche that may be too narrow to justify its existence in a crowded market.
Alt text: Front interior of the Toyota Crown Signia Limited, showcasing the leather seats, center console, and dashboard design.
Pros:
- Nicer Toyota interior
- Wagon body style
Cons:
- Noisy engine
- Polarizing looks
- Price overlaps with Lexus RX 350h
