The 2025 Toyota Crown Signia is the SUV crossover version of the Crown “coupe” sedan

The 2025 Toyota Crown Signia is arriving at dealerships now. It is sold in two gasoline-electric hybrid trim levels with all-wheel-drive. Starting prices are $44,985 and $49,385. (Photography courtesy of Toyota or as credited)

Jump To Features

Crown Nameplate History
Crown Styling
Hybrid Forward
Pricing
Powertrain and Fuel Economy
Ride and Handling
Interior Function
Safety Technologies
Why Buy the Toyota Crown Signia?
Specifications

BY MARK MAYNARD

Toyota has just released the second model of its Crown hierarchy, the Crown Signia, a hybrid-powered five-seat wagonlike SUV-crossover. The midsize Signia follows the Crown “coupe” fastback sedan, which debuted last year. It was to supplant the large and discontinued Toyota Avalon. Signia will replace the Toyota Venza, which uses the same standard hybrid powertrain as the Crowns.
Crown is a new Toyota subbrand, and from testing both Crown models, it appears to be a subtle plan to raise Toyota’s interior quality and audience.

Among Toyota’s global plans for the Crown are four models, including a Crown Sport RS and a more formal Crown sedan. There has yet to be an official announcement that either of these models will come to the U.S. However, these new Crowns could be viable for Toyota’s luxury brand, Lexus.

The dual-cockpit front seat space has appealing design.

Crown Nameplate History

The 2024 Toyota Crown nameplate is new for North America, but the model is rich in Toyota history.

According to the Crown page on Wikipedia, the nameplate was introduced in 1955 as the Toyopet Crown. “It holds the distinction of being the longest-running passenger-car nameplate affixed to any Toyota model.”

The Crown is also the seventh longest-running model nameplate in the world after the Mercedes-Benz S-Class (1954), Chevrolet Corvette (1953), Toyota Land Cruiser (1951), Volkswagen Transporter (1950), Ford F-Series (1947), and Chevrolet Suburban (1935).

Here is another bit of trivia from Wikipedia. The Crown nameplate continues a Toyota tradition of naming their sedans “crown” in various languages. There are Crown, Corona, Camry, and Corolla, and there are names for types of crowns, such as Tiara, or other things associated with royalty, like Scepter.

The 12.3-inch multimedia screen for nav-audio-camera.

Crown Styling

The Crown models are built on the newly developed GA-K platform. From its beginning, Toyota intended this platform to have more style and improved interior materials. The Crowns have a slightly taller ride height with a higher hip point, which allows more comfortable entry and exit. The design treatment also allowed for larger-diameter wheels. Both U.S. Crown models have 19- or 21-inch tires and wheels.

Read more about Toyota’s plan for the Crown brand here.

Both Crown models make a bold impression with their hammerhead front end and a Kitana-like slice of LED headlights. Some of their elevated stance comes from the 21-inch wheels, the largest ever used on a Toyota car.

The Crown interiors feel luxurious in a sturdy and durable application. The premium quality and varied textures of interior materials are not the Toyota of old. Nor are the Crowns’ thorough soundproofing and road-smoothing suspension.

The shift console incorporates a vertical slot for wireless phone charging.

Hybrids Forward

Toyota has steadfastly planned to build more hybrids rather than fully embrace electric vehicles, and the wisdom of this approach is becoming evident.

Many EV-intending motorists hit the pause button after last winter’s deep freeze. Well-televised reports of EV owners left in the cold at traffic-jammed charging stations could share the blame. Couple that unpleasantness with the electric vehicle’s reduced range in freezing weather and the typically dismal upkeep of charging stations. Public chargers are often poorly maintained, grimy, and faulty. At least gasoline stations have an attendant who might occasionally wipe down the pumps and hoses.

Public charging will improve, but countless apartment and condominium dwellers have no access to “home” charging. Electrics’ high MSRP is yet another steep step toward mainstream EV adoption.

The next rational step is a hybrid vehicle, whether standard gasoline-electric or a plug-in hybrid, for its modest battery driving range.

Toyota now offers hybrid or electrified powertrain choices for at least 10 vehicles. Toyota’s “electrified” powertrains add a 48-hp electric motor integrated with the transmission. The electric motor boosts acceleration and helps stretch fuel economy while reinforcing engine torque for towing. Toyota also has the BZ4X full battery electric and the Mirai fuel cell sedan.

Driver and passenger have eight-way power-adjustable seats.

Crowning Achievement

Adding a Crown subbrand creates a three-tier price walk from entry-level Toyota to midrange Crown and Lexus luxury.

The Crown sedan has starting prices of about $42,000 to $56,000. Crown Signia has starting prices of $45,000 and $50,000. By comparison, standard-grade hybrid Toyotas, such as the Corolla, Camry, Prius, RAV4, or Highlander, range in starting prices from about $24,000 to $46,000.

Another separator to the Crown family is its more refined styling. Toyota has five SUVs designed to look outdoorsy, tough, and off-road capable. Rather than following the same path as Sport and Utility, the Crown is about confidence and comfortable capability.

Crown’s step-above materials and design treatments are welcome new aspects of Toyota. The Crowns have no bulky fender overriders, bullish front ends, step rails, or exaggerated roof rails. The more wagonlike Crowns are just comfortable and smooth riding.

Midsize Hybrid Crossover SUV Choices

An SUV crossover that is more wagonlike than a utility-focused vehicle is still a rarity. Americans long ago abandoned wagons for the bulk and space of an SUV, but times could be changing.

The Toyota Crown Signia’s svelte body styling has few size competitors. Among the more carlike choices are the Buick Envista ($25,000-$31,000), Mazda CX-90 ($38,000-$56,000), and Subaru Outback ($30,000-$44,000). However, several EV models, such as the Hyundai Ioniq 5, have a more natural wagon body style.

Search for all hybrid cars at FuelEconomy.gov.

The stocky steering wheel with stitched leather gives a reassuring handshake.

2025 Crown Signia Pricing

The 2025 Toyota Crown Signia, arriving at dealerships now, is sold in two trim levels: XLE and Limited, with electronic on-demand all-wheel drive.

The Crown Signia XLE, with 19-inch wheels, starts at $44,985. The Crown Signia Limited, with 21-inch wheels and a panoramic glass roof, starts at $49,385. Retail pricing includes the $1,395 freight charge from the Tsutsumi plant in Aichi, Japan.

There are two standard paint colors of Storm Cloud and Black. Metallic hues of Oxygen White, Finish Line Red, and Bronze Age are $425 each.

Find Toyota pricing and special offers here.

Crown Separators

The Crown models share an architecture, but there are subtle and not-so-subtle differences between sedan and SUV crossover:

Braking: Both Crowns have four-wheel disc brakes with the same rotor dimensions. However, the Signia has vented discs front and rear, while the sedan has solid rear rotors.

Towing: Crown sedan is not recommended for towing, but the Crown Signia has a towing capacity of 2,700 pounds.

Body length: Crown Signia is 2 inches shorter than the sedan, at 196.1 inches.

Body width and height: At 74 inches, the Signia is 1.6 inches wider than the sedan. With the panoramic roof, the Signia is 3.6 inches taller, or 64.2 inches vs. 64 without the pano roof.

0-60 mph: Using 91 octane fuel, Toyota cites acceleration to 60 mph in 7.1 seconds for the Signia and 7.6 seconds for the sedan.

Air bags: The Signia has eight air bags, and the Crown sedan has seven.

Ground clearance: 6.7 inches Signia vs. 5.8 inches sedan.

Signia’s AWD powertrain integrates front and rear electric motors with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine.

Crown Signia Powertrain and Fuel Economy

Both trim levels of the Crown Signia use Toyota’s standard hybrid and all-wheel-drive systems. Front and rear electric motors are integrated with a 2.5-liter Dynamic Force four-cylinder engine. The hybrid system has a combined 240 horsepower and 163 foot-pounds of torque.

The transmission is an electronic continuously variable automatic. EPA-estimated mileage ratings are 42 mpg city, 41 highway, and 41 mpg combined.

However, the Crown sedan has the option for a more powerful 340-hp, 2.4-liter turbocharged Hybrid MAX engine. It has a combined net torque of 400 lb.-ft. The sedan’s direct-shift eCVT transmission adds a launch gear for stronger off-the-line acceleration and then simulates six gear shifts. The Hybrid MAX powertrain has mileage ratings of 29/32/30 mpg.

Toyota won’t say if the Hybrid MAX is planned for Signia, but it would make for a big announcement for next year.

The hybrid system drives the Signia in front-wheel drive until slippage occurs. The rear-mounted electric motor powers the rear wheels when the electronic on-demand AWD senses traction loss. The rear motor can also be a generator to charge the hybrid battery when coasting or braking.

Both Crown powertrains use a 230.4-volt nickel-metal hydride battery pack with 5.0-amp hours. Nickel-metal has one big advantage over a more densely powered (and expensive) lithium-ion battery: it will be less costly to replace should an owner keep their Crown beyond the hybrid battery warranty of 10 years or 150,000 miles.

Both electrified engines use Toyota’s D-4S direct and port fuel injection. The combination gives a more complete fuel burn to prevent carbon buildup on the intake valves. Here is a D-4S explainer.

The electronic gear selector on the shift console can feel notchy until the owner becomes accustomed to it.

Crown Signia Performance

Signia’s electronic CVT performs with fluid acceleration. There is some engine noise on hard acceleration, but it has a deep voice, and the rubber banding of the eCVT is minimal. Pickup can be quick for evasive moves.

The eCVT has performance modes of Normal, Sport, and Eco. I used Eco on the highway with cruise control and Sport to guard my line when in traffic. Normal mode was responsive around town and could feel quite potent when pressed hard.

There is something different about the Signia’s electronic gear selector from that in the Crown sedan. The Signia’s console shifter can feel notchy until the owner becomes accustomed to it. I did not experience this on the sedan.

The gear-engagement process is to pull the short shift knob left and up for Reverse or left and down for Drive. The action, however, was confusing in my first days of driving. I tried to engage Sport mode on the shift diagram several times and ended up in Neutral. I could only get back into Drive by stopping, shifting to Park, and then back to Drive. From then on, I engaged Sport mode by a separate switch on the shift console.

Crown Signia fuel economy ratings are impressive for a 4,200-pound, all-wheel-drive wagon. The EPA ratings are 39 mpg city, 37 highway, and 38 mpg combined, using 87 or higher octane fuel. However, the best I achieved was a combined 34.7-35 mpg.

With 35 mpg, the Crown’s 14.5-gallon tank should deliver at least 507 miles, making it an enjoyable road-trip wagon.

Crown Signia Ride and Handling

The taller ride height of the Crown Signia caused some side-to-side heaviness on unsettled turns. However, there is some secret sauce in how the Crown’s steel suspension performs with luxurious compliance. The independent suspension is the great equalizer to bad street surfaces. The Crown Signia steps across speed bumps with minimal head woggle and dives across intersection dips without a chin scrape. When there was a full-compression bump, there was no bottoming-out jolt.

Enabling ride quality are the all-season grand touring Bridgestone Turanza EL450 tires. The 21-inch tires (235/45) have a hefty footprint of 8.9 inches and a comfortably compliant treadwear rating (UTQG) of 400. These low-rolling-resistance Turanzas also have Bridgestone’s new Enliten technology, which uses 63 percent recycled and renewable materials. Among the repurposed materials are recovered carbon black, recycled oil, and rice husk silica for strength and reduced rolling resistance.

Four-wheel ventilated disc brakes are appropriately sized for controlled and absolute stopping power. The front rotors are 12.9 inches, and the rear rotors are 12.5 inches.

Electric power steering tracks steady and is responsive to small inputs. But like most electrified steering systems, it lacks road communication to the driver. Toyota cites a Signia turning circle of 39.5 feet, 0.7 wider than the Crown sedan (38.8 feet). But I suspect those measurements are with 19-inch tires; add at least a half-foot for the 21s.

21-inch tires are the largest yet on a Toyota passenger car.

Interior Function

The Crown makes a good first impression. Its features are completely contemporary but not alienating. Its stocky steering wheel with stitched leather gives a reassuring handshake. The dual-cockpit front seat space has an appealing design of quality. The front headroom, which is 37.7 inches tall with the panoramic roof, creates a close cockpit sensation. Taller drivers might benefit from the standard roof for its 39.1 inches of headroom. Sightlines are open across the hood and over the shoulder.

The shift console has a fresh presentation. It has a vertical slot for wireless phone charging and a second vertical phone slot with a pair of charging USBs. Of course, the console integrates a pair of cup holders, and the well-padded center armrest has deep storage. Door panels have large bottle slots.

I especially appreciated door-lock sensors on all side doors, not just the front door handles. Call me lazy, but it is so easier to lock up when removing children or packages from the back seat.

And Toyota’s rain-sensing wipers are the ONLY system I have experienced that engages a wiper swipe before I must intervene.

Traffic-Calmed Cabin

Toyota says Crown engineers spent countless hours studying and engineering reductions in noise, vibration, and harshness. The materials and placement were optimized to minimize noise in the frequencies that typically interfere with conversation.

Creating such a traffic-calmed cabin included acoustic glass on the front side windows, a dashboard silencer pad, and an engine cover made of acoustic absorbing materials. Noise-minimizing insulation and body-sealing material are layered between the engine bay and cabin, under the carpeting, and above the headliner.

Because the cabin is so well soundproofed, I noticed the noisy AC fan speeds and seat ventilation fans.

Rear seat space feels more compact-class than midsize.

Back Seat and Cargo Space

Rear legroom was cheated by 1.8 inches for more cargo space. The space is still adult-comfortable at 37.1 inches of legroom, just less so than in the sedan. Rear foot space is tight, too. Consequently, the rear seating feels more compact than midsize, and passengers will let you know. The center seat is narrow and perched, with footroom splayed by the intrusive hump in the floor.

The cargo space is wide, and the floor height is somewhat tall, but not as tall as in a compact SUV. There is plenty of luggage space for a couple’s vacation getaway.

Crown Safety Technologies

Standard Crown Signia safety features include eight air bags, blind spot alerts, lane departure accident-avoidance system, and lane keep assist. Toyota’s standard Safety Sense 3.0 includes a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection and a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert. Here’s an explainer for Toyota Safety Sense 3.0: https://www.toyota.com/safety-sense/

An unusual safety feature are “Pop Up Hood” pyrotechnics, which blunt the effects of a collision with a pedestrian. Upon impact, a pair of explosive devices at the hood hinges detonate to lift the hood a few inches. The system satisfies a European safety regulation to improve pedestrian “survivability” in a low-speed frontal hit.

‘Pop Up Hood’ pyrotechnics, to blunt the effects of a collision with a pedestrian. (Mark Maynard)

Proactive Driving Assist

Toyota’s Level 2 semi-autonomous drive system is accurate for lane centering without nervous alerts. It is an ideal system for road-trip rubbernecking.

The Proactive Driving Assist system uses a front camera and radar to brake into curves gently. It also uses braking and steering assist to control the distance between a preceding vehicle, pedestrian, or bicyclist.

Cargo space is plentiful with a somewhat tall floor height.

Why Buy the 2025 Toyota Crown Signia?

The Toyota Crown Signia is the comfortable choice to avoid the outdoorsy theme of the common SUV.

I liked the Crown sedan so much that I considered the Crown Signia to replace our 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid. The girlfriend-wife, however, did not like the cockpit style of the front seat area. “It feels to close in here,” she said.

And so my search for a small SUV replacement continues.

As an SUV crossover, the Crown Signia downplays the typical SUV outdoorsy theme.

 2025 Toyota Crown Signia Limited Specifications

Body style: 5-seat, 5-door midsize crossover SUV with electronic on-demand all-wheel drive

Engine: 188-hp 2.5-liter direct-injected, Atkinson cycle Dynamic Force D4S 4-cylinder with EV mode; 178 lb.-ft. torque from 4,300-4,500 rpm

HYBRID DRIVE

Dual motor: Permanent magnet synchronous; front 134 kW/199 lb.-ft.; rear 40 kW/89 lb.ft.

Battery: Bipolar nickel-metal hydride battery; 230.4 volts, 5.0 Ah capacity

Combined power: 240 hp

Transmission: Electronically controlled continuously variable (eCVT)

Fuel economy: 39/37/38 mpg city/hwy/combined; 87 octane or higher

0-60 mph acceleration: 7.1 seconds, per Toyota

BY THE NUMBERS

Fuel tank: 14.5 gallons

Cargo space: 24.87*-66.1 cubic feet *w/pano roof

Front head/leg room: 37.7*/42.1 inches *39.1 inches w/o panoramic roof

Rear head/leg room: 38.1*/37.1 inches *38.9 in. w/o panoramic roof

Shoulder room: 57 inches front, 55 inches rear

Length/wheelbase: 194.1/112.2 inches

Curb weight: 4,210 pounds

Turning circle: 39 feet

FEATURES

Signia Limited’s interior features include: Leather-trimmed front seats with seatback pockets; 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with memory function and lumbar support; 8-way power-adjustable front passenger seat; heated and ventilated front seats; 60/40 split fold-flat rear seats with extension board; heated rear seats; heated leather-trimmed tilt-telescopic steering wheel; 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster with selectable gauges; electric parking brake; dual-zone automatic climate control system with dust and pollen filter; covered center console, armrest and storage; leather-trimmed shift knob; digital rearview mirror with HomeLink universal transceiver; Qi-compatible vertical wireless smartphone charging; smart key entry-locking system on all doors and liftgate; push button start; remote keyless entry; 5 USB-C charge ports (two front/two rear/one in console); LED front and rear reading lights and cargo area light; dual extendable sun visors and illuminated vanity mirrors; power windows with auto up-down; cargo area tonneau cover.

Audio Multimedia and Connected Services

12.3-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia, 11-speaker JBL Premium Audio including subwoofer and amplifier, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible, SiriusXM with 3-month trial subscription;

Service Connect, up to 10-year trial subscription. Receive personalized maintenance updates and vehicle health reports. Subscription required. 4G network dependent;

Remote Connect, 1-year trial subscription. Remotely interact with your vehicle through the Toyota app via your smartwatch. Depending on the trim level, it allows doors to be locked or unlocked, starting and stopping the vehicle, locating your last parked location, checking vehicle status, and monitoring guest drivers. Subscription required. 4G network dependent;

Safety Connect, Up to 10-year trial subscription. Includes Emergency Assistance button, enhanced Roadside Assistance, Automatic Collision Notification, and Stolen Vehicle Locator. Subscription required. 4G network dependent;

Drive Connect, 1-year trial subscription, includes Cloud Navigation with Google Points of Interest data, Intelligent Assistant with Hey, Toyota, and Destination Assist. Subscription required. 4G network dependent.;

Wi-Fi Connect, Up to 30-day or 3 GB trial subscription on Wi-Fi hotspot with AT&T Wi-Fi hotspot and Integrated Streaming (Apple Music and Amazon Music) compatibility. (Integrated Streaming requires separate subscriptions to third-party provider services) 4G network dependent.

Exterior features include: 21-inch 7-spoke dark-gray-metallic alloy wheels, acoustic noise-reducing windshield and front side windows, high solar energy-absorbing glass, panoramic fixed-glass roof with power sunshade, rain-sensing variable intermittent windshield wipers, heated power side mirrors with turn signal and blind spot warning indicators, puddle lights and power-folding with reverse tilt-down feature, LED projector low- and high-beam headlights with auto level control, automatic high beams, and auto on/off, LED daytime running lights-taillights-brake lights, height-adjustable hands-free power liftgate with jam protection, color-keyed side door handles with touch-sensor lock-unlock feature, low-profile roof rails.

Safety Technologies include: Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, which features a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, full-speed range dynamic radar cruise control, lane departure alert with steering assist, lane tracing assist, automatic high beams, road sign assist, proactive driving assist, blind spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert.

CHASSIS COMPONENTS

Brakes: power-assisted 4-wheel discs; front ventilated rotors, 12.9 inches; rear, solid 12.5-inch rotors; electric parking brake;

Steering: Electric parallel-type electric power system; 39-foot turning circle;

Tires-wheels: 21-inch alloy wheels and 225/45 Bridgestone Turanza EL 450 all-season grand touring tire (UTQG 400) with a 21-inch temporary spare;

Suspension: Front MacPherson struts with stabilizer bar; rear multilink with stabilizer bar.

PRICING

Signia Limited base price: $49,385, including $1,395 freight charge; price as tested $51,250

Options on test vehicle: Advanced Technology Package: $1,865, includes: Panoramic View Monitor with Perimeter Scan, power-folding side mirrors with puddle lights and reverse tilt-down feature; traffic jam assist (Drive Connect trial or subscription required), front cross-traffic alert, lane change assist, front and rear parking assist with automatic braking

Where assembled: Tsutsumi Plant in Aichi, Japan

Warranties:  3-years/36,000-miles bumper to bumper with 2-years/25,000-miles of free scheduled maintenance, plus two years of roadside assistance with unlimited mileage, whichever comes first. The powertrain warranty is five years or 60,000 miles. The hybrid components have an eight-year or 100,000-mile warranty; the hybrid battery is protected for 10 years or 150,000 miles. The hybrid battery warranty is transferable to subsequent owners.