2025 Toyota Crown Signia SUV

　　2025 Toyota Crown Signia Review

　　Toyota adds yet another hybrid SUV to its lineup

　　byJake SundstromEditor, CarMax

　　Jake Sundstrom has worked in the automotive industry since 2017. He has written hundreds of car-related articles. Jake is currently an Editor for CarMax and has also contributed to National Hot Rod Association publications. When he's not driving cars, he's eating takeout inside of them (probably burgers, burritos or pizza).

　　11/14/2023

　　The Toyota Crown Signia is the latest hybrid SUV offering from the Japanese automaker. It's based on the Toyota Crown sedan, is hybrid-only and comes with standard all-wheel drive. Toyota claims the Crown Signia will get 36 combined miles per gallon, which is about on par with the Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The automaker was light on details about the Crown Signia's size, but this crossover offers seating for five and its second row can be folded flat for additional storage. 

　　You can get the Crown Signia — which will arrive at dealerships in summer of 2024 — in two trims: XLE and Limited. Given the Crown Signia's positioning as the premium choice in Toyota's SUV lineup, even the base model is loaded with useful features like blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. 

　　What's under the Crown Signia's hood?

　　Like many hybrids in Toyota's lineup, the Crown Signia pairs a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors — one at each axle, meaning the Crown Signia comes standard with AWD. The engine and motors produce a combined 243 horsepower, which is 7 hp more than the Crown sedan. Unfortunately, the Signia doesn't offer the Crown's optional 340-hp powertrain, but we'd be shocked if Toyota keeps it off the options list for too long.

　　How's the Crown Signia's interior?

　　The Crown Signia's interior design, unsurprisingly, hews closely to the Crown's aesthetic. It's markedly more luxurious than most other Toyota vehicles without rising to the standard set by Lexus. Judging by the precedent set by the Crown sedan, we expect the Signia to offer more interior room than the equivalent midsize — in this case, the Toyota Venza — but the lack of a third row does mean it's less utilitarian than, say, the Toyota Highlander.

　　How's the Crown Signia's tech?

　　We believe the Crown Signia's 12.3-inch touchscreen is the same as in other Toyota products, and if that's indeed the case, we give it a thumbs-up. In the Crown and Venza, the interface is responsive and features the latest Toyota infotainment software, which is a big improvement over what it replaced. You'll get wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard features in addition to a power liftgate that can also be opened and closed with a kick motion under the rear bumper. 

　　How's the Crown Signia's storage?

　　Toyota was scarce on details regarding internal storage but said the rear seats can be folded down to create a loading floor that's 6.5 feet long. 

　　How economical is the Crown Signia?

　　Toyota says the Crown Signia will get a combined 36 miles per gallon. Taking them at their word, that's … OK! It's not quite as good as the Venza, which earns a combined rating of 39 mpg, and the larger Highlander Hybrid is only 1 mpg in arrears.

　　What are the Crown Signia's trim levels?

　　The Toyota Crown Signia is offered in two trims: XLE and Limited.

　　XLE

　　2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motorsAll-wheel drive19-inch aluminum alloy wheelsHeated front seats with eight-way adjustmentFold-flat rear benchFabric/synthetic leather combination upholstery12.3-inch touchscreenWireless Apple CarPlay and Android AutoHeated leather steering wheelSix-speaker audio systemPower liftgate with kick sensorBlind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warningLimited

　　Everything on the XLE, plus:

　　Fixed-glass panoramic roof21-inch aluminum alloy wheelsVentilated front seatsLeather upholsteryHeated rear seats11-speaker JBL premium audio systemFront and rear park assist with automatic brakingRain-sensing windshield wipersDigital key capability (with Remote Connect subscription)A Tech package available for the Limited adds:

　　Puddle lights360-degree parking cameraFront cross-traffic alertLane change assist

　　Competitors to consider

　　The Crown Signia is sized similarly to the Toyota Venza, though the former has a more upscale interior (and is expected to be more expensive). There's also the Jeep Grand Cherokee, but expect to pay a pretty penny if you want its plug-in hybrid powertrain. If you're cross-shopping against true luxury vehicles, the Lexus RX 450h shouldn't cost significantly more.

　　zzdcar says

　　The Toyota Crown Signia jumps into a crowded pool of hybrid SUVs. We'll see if this new luxury-adjacent crossover can separate itself from the pack when we get behind the wheel.