The Toyota Crown, initially known for its distinctive high-riding sedan, has expanded its lineage with the introduction of the Toyota Crown Signia Hybrid, a sophisticated crossover SUV poised to redefine its segment. While the Crown sedan carved a unique niche, bridging the gap between traditional sedans and SUVs, the Crown Signia Hybrid emerges as a more conventional yet elevated offering in Toyota’s North American lineup, particularly as SUVs continue to dominate market preferences. This new model builds upon the Crown’s legacy of luxury and innovation while embracing the practicality and versatility demanded by modern drivers.
The original Crown sedan, despite its Japanese heritage and luxurious aspirations, always presented a somewhat unconventional profile in a market saturated with SUVs. Standing taller than the Avalon it replaced, the Crown sedan hinted at SUV characteristics but remained firmly in sedan territory. In contrast, the Toyota Crown Signia Hybrid embraces its SUV identity with a visually harmonious design, boasting a longer and wider stance that exudes confidence and road presence.
Is the Crown Signia Hybrid a wagon in disguise? A full-fledged SUV? Or simply a Crown evolution with enhanced cargo capacity? The answer is multifaceted. It masterfully blends elements of all three, truly embodying the essence of a “crossover.” Launching in dealerships in the summer of 2024 as a 2025 model, the Crown Signia Hybrid elevates the Crown concept even further, standing a significant seven inches taller than the contemporary Camry, signaling its clear departure from traditional sedan norms and firmly establishing itself within the SUV landscape.
The Toyota Crown Signia Hybrid: Successor to the Venza
The Toyota Crown Signia Hybrid strategically steps into the role previously held by the Venza within Toyota’s portfolio, effectively phasing out the Venza by the end of 2024. Mirroring the Venza’s commitment to efficiency, the Crown Signia Hybrid comes standard with a four-cylinder hybrid powertrain and all-wheel drive. However, it distinguishes itself with a more substantial presence, offering a longer yet seemingly more compact body than the Venza, coupled with a significantly more premium cabin ambiance.
This upgrade in perceived quality translates to a price adjustment. Prospective buyers should note a notable price increase, approximately an $8,500 jump from the base 2024 Venza LE to the entry-level 2025 Crown Signia XLE. The Crown Signia XLE starts with an MSRP of $43,590, compared to the Venza LE’s $35,070. The higher-tier Crown Signia Limited trim, as tested, approached the $48,000 mark before any additional options, reflecting its positioning as a more luxurious and feature-rich offering.
A Closer Look at the Toyota Crown Signia Hybrid Design
Despite sharing the Crown nameplate, Toyota has imbued the Toyota Crown Signia Hybrid with a distinct visual identity that extends beyond its altered rear profile. The crossover showcases unique body-colored grille and fog light treatments, contributing to a more integrated and sophisticated front fascia. Intriguingly, the Signia adopts a less rugged aesthetic compared to the Crown sedan, featuring less pronounced SUV-style body cladding along its flanks, leaning towards a more refined and urban appearance.
The front fascia subtly echoes the Crown sedan’s headlight design, but Toyota has avoided a blatant “family” resemblance, opting for a more individualistic approach. The Crown Signia Hybrid’s slender headlight strips present a modern and sleek appearance. While they might evoke a sense of hidden or pop-up mechanisms, they are fixed, conventional headlights, sidestepping the potential complexities associated with older retractable designs.
Inside the Premium Cabin of the Toyota Crown Signia Hybrid
Stepping into the Toyota Crown Signia Hybrid is akin to entering a well-appointed, comfortable lounge. The ingress and egress are effortlessly natural; there’s no need to climb up or descend awkwardly. The interior dimensions are generous, accommodating passengers of most statures with ease, although it’s worth noting that the outgoing Venza offered marginally more headroom.
Even in its base XLE trim, the Crown Signia Hybrid boasts an impressive array of standard features. Synthetic leather upholstery, heated front seats and steering wheel, a hands-free power liftgate, universal garage remote, and seamless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration are all included. Furthermore, cooled front seats provide a welcome respite in warmer climates, a feature that is often appreciated, despite occasional dissenting opinions on ventilated seats.
The tested Limited trim elevates the audio experience with a JBL sound system, adding a subwoofer and five additional speakers for a total of 11. A panoramic fixed glass roof enhances the cabin’s airiness and natural light. The Advanced Technology package further enriches the Limited model with front video monitors, power-folding side mirrors, and automated parking assist functions. This package also incorporates Traffic Jam Assist (TJA), operational up to 25 mph, providing automated braking, acceleration, and steering in congested traffic, along with lane change assist and front cross-traffic alert systems, enhancing both convenience and safety.
Toyota Crown Signia Hybrid: Navigating the Competitive Landscape
Rear-seat passengers in the Toyota Crown Signia Hybrid benefit from dual USB-C ports and dedicated air vents. While separate climate controls and window shades are absent, the spaciousness is undeniable. The Crown Signia Hybrid’s wheelbase measures 112.2 inches, surpassing the Venza’s 105.9 inches and even exceeding the 2024 Honda Passport’s 110.9 inches, matching the 2024 Toyota Highlander.
However, the Hyundai Ioniq 5, with its extended 118.1-inch wheelbase, offers even more passenger room between the axles. Despite this, the Crown Signia Hybrid distinguishes itself with a more luxurious interior ambiance and a user-friendly interface. It retains a wealth of traditional buttons and knobs throughout the cabin, a departure from the more minimalist, screen-centric approach of the Ioniq 5, reflecting the Crown Signia Hybrid’s blend of modern technology with familiar usability.
Driving Dynamics and Hybrid Performance of the Crown Signia
The Toyota Crown Signia Hybrid is propelled by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine coupled with Toyota’s proven hybrid system. Notably, it utilizes nickel-metal hydride batteries, a departure from the lithium-ion batteries found in contemporary Prius models. While lithium-ion batteries offer greater energy density and lighter weight, the nickel-metal hydride system in the Crown Signia Hybrid maintains Toyota’s renowned reliability and efficiency. The combined output of the engine and electric motor is 240 horsepower, complemented by 178 lb.-ft. of engine torque, supplemented by the electric motor’s instant torque delivery.
While marketed as “electrified,” the Crown Signia Hybrid operates as a traditional hybrid, requiring gasoline to function. It can operate in electric vehicle (EV) mode under certain low-speed conditions, such as navigating drive-throughs, depending on accessory usage. However, it lacks plug-in capability, and the more potent 340-horsepower Hybrid Max powertrain available in the Crown sedan is not currently offered for the Signia Hybrid.
Nevertheless, the Crown Signia Hybrid delivers adequate power for daily driving, with an estimated 0-60 mph acceleration time of 7.1 seconds. Its refinement shines at lower speeds, where the electric motor contributes to a smooth and quiet driving experience. The transition to engine power is notably more seamless and less intrusive than in the Venza or Prius. For drivers seeking a more engaging experience, paddle shifters and a Sport mode are available, but the Crown Signia Hybrid’s strengths lie in its comfortable and efficient cruising capabilities.
The Toyota Crown Signia Hybrid excels in urban and suburban environments, prioritizing fuel efficiency. Its EPA-estimated combined fuel economy is 38 mpg, with a slightly better city rating of 39 mpg and 37 mpg on the highway. Its non-plug-in hybrid nature makes it a practical choice for long journeys, appealing to those not yet ready for fully electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles. This is particularly relevant for individuals lacking home charging infrastructure or residing in apartments or condominiums where charger installation is not feasible.
Verdict: The 2025 Toyota Crown Signia Hybrid
The Toyota Crown Signia Hybrid, with its elevated price point compared to the outgoing Venza, reflects the broader trend of automotive inflation, especially when considering the tested, fully-equipped model’s price in the low $50,000s range versus a fully-loaded Venza’s starting MSRP of approximately $43,215. These figures represent Manufacturer Suggested Retail Prices (MSRPs) and do not account for potential incentives or discounts that Toyota might offer.
Looking ahead, the latter half of the current year or early next year may present opportune moments for consumers. Firstly, remaining Venza models might become available with attractive deals as dealerships clear inventory. Secondly, Toyota may introduce less luxurious, more affordable trims of the Crown Signia Hybrid beyond the initial XLE and Limited offerings, potentially lowering the entry price point as the Venza era concludes.
In conclusion, the 2025 Toyota Crown Signia Hybrid presents a compelling proposition with its more refined interior, enhanced towing capacity (2,700 lbs versus the Venza’s 1,000 lbs), and increased passenger and cargo space. It commands a reasonable premium over its Venza predecessor, justifying its position as a more upscale and versatile crossover SUV within the Toyota lineup, perfectly catering to the needs of modern families seeking a blend of luxury, efficiency, and practicality.
