Toyota’s extensive model refresh includes the introduction of the 2025 Toyota Crown Signia, a vehicle that revives a familiar nameplate but enters a somewhat ambiguous category. This new offering attempts to blend the practicality of a wagon with the higher stance of an SUV, resulting in a unique, if not slightly perplexing, vehicle. While the Crown Signia boasts a hybrid-only powertrain and an upscale interior for a Toyota, its unconventional aesthetics and premium pricing place it in a challenging position within the competitive automotive market. This review delves into whether the 2025 Toyota Crown Signia lives up to expectations and if it justifies its price tag.
Hybrid Powertrain Performance and Fuel Economy
The 2025 Toyota Crown Signia is exclusively available as a hybrid, promising commendable fuel efficiency. While the window sticker suggests an impressive 37 MPG, real-world testing yielded a still-respectable 33 MPG in mixed driving conditions over several hundred miles. However, a notable discrepancy arose with the onboard range estimator. Initially displaying a remarkable 591 miles on a full tank, the actual range calculated during a road trip to Donner Lake fell significantly short, failing to even reach 400 miles. This substantial inaccuracy of over 30% in range estimation raises concerns about the reliability of the system, a surprising flaw in modern vehicles.
Despite Toyota’s renowned hybrid technology, the Crown Signia’s powertrain is not without its drawbacks. While the hybrid system operates seamlessly, providing smooth transitions and responsive power delivery, the four-cylinder combustion engine is a noticeable weak point. It produces a loud and unpleasant moaning sound at various speeds, detracting from the intended premium feel of the Crown line. Even passengers commented on the engine’s intrusive noise, highlighting its lack of refinement. The combined 240 horsepower output enables a 0-60 MPH acceleration in around seven seconds, which is adequate but not particularly exciting for a vehicle in this price range. While passing maneuvers are easily executed thanks to the powertrain’s responsiveness and the CVT transmission, the accompanying engine noise remains a significant downside.
Interior Comfort, Technology, and Safety Features
On a positive note, the 2025 Toyota Crown Signia incorporates Toyota’s comprehensive suite of safety systems, which generally function effectively. The often-criticized intrusive radar cruise control system can be disabled for drivers who prefer manual control. The cabin features a user-friendly 12-inch infotainment display, considered one of the most intuitive systems available. Appreciably, Toyota has retained physical buttons for climate controls, a welcome feature amidst the trend of digital-only interfaces. The interior of the Crown Signia represents a high point for Toyota, utilizing soft, premium materials and exhibiting the brand’s characteristic solid build quality, free from rattles or squeaks. The Limited trim includes genuine leather seats, catering to those who prefer natural materials. While road noise levels are not exceptionally low, the Crown Signia provides a comfortable ride for longer journeys, offering generous rear legroom thanks to its substantial 194-inch length.
Uninspiring Driving Dynamics
Despite its comfortable nature, the 2025 Toyota Crown Signia falls short in driving engagement. The steering is muted, and the handling feels rubbery and disconnected. While not intended for aggressive driving, the Crown Signia lacks the composure and responsiveness found in vehicles from brands like Mazda and Genesis. Its driving experience can be described as bland, prioritizing effortless transportation over driver involvement. Cornering at higher speeds reveals significant body roll and a diminished sense of road grip, making it feel more akin to a less agile SUV than a nimble wagon. Dynamically, it leans towards the characteristics of a lumbering SUV rather than a sporty wagon.
Pricing and Competitive Landscape
The pricing of the 2025 Toyota Crown Signia, starting at $52,565 for the Limited trim, raises questions about its target audience. For buyers seeking a large Toyota SUV, models like the Highlander and Grand Highlander offer more versatility with three-row seating. However, the most significant challenge to the Crown Signia comes from within Toyota’s own family, specifically from Lexus. The Crown Signia’s price point overlaps with the Lexus RX 350h, which shares the same powertrain but presents a more appealing design and a more luxurious and refined cabin. Given the price similarity and identical 194-inch length, the Lexus RX 350h emerges as a more compelling option, offering greater cargo space behind the rear seats as well. Furthermore, Lexus offers the slightly smaller NX 350h, which provides a more engaging driving experience with improved body control.
While there might be a niche group of buyers who find the Crown Signia to be their ideal vehicle, the abundance of alternatives within Toyota and Lexus, along with competitors from other brands, makes it difficult to recommend. Unless the subjective styling of the Crown Signia particularly resonates with a buyer, there are more logical and value-driven choices available. The front-end design, with its squinting headlights that resemble partially raised pop-up lamps, is a point of contention and may not appeal to all tastes. Toyota’s foray into niche vehicles is a bold move, but the 2025 Crown Signia struggles to establish a clear and compelling reason for its existence.
The Verdict
The 2025 Toyota Crown Signia offers a comfortable cabin and a distinctive wagon-like aesthetic within the Toyota lineup. However, its unrefined engine, unconventional looks, and pricing overlap with more appealing Lexus models, making it a questionable value proposition at over $50,000. While it presents a unique blend of wagon and SUV, potential buyers should carefully consider whether its specific attributes justify its price compared to more established and refined alternatives.
2025 Toyota Crown Signia Limited
Price as-tested: $52,565
Pros:
- Upscale Toyota interior
- Wagon body style
Cons:
- Noisy and unrefined engine
- Divisive styling
- Price overlap with Lexus RX 350h
