Whenever we review a new vehicle, the same questions usually arise: Who is the target customer? How will it perform? Does it live up to expectations? Things were a little different with the 2025 Toyota Crown Signia Limited as it raised questions such as What IS this? An SUV or a wagon? Over the course of a week, we learned what the Crown is on paper and in the real world.
A HYBRID IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE
If you go to the Toyota website and click on the Vehicles tab on the top right of the page, a menu with the various types that Toyota makes drops down on the left. You’ll find the Crown Signia under the Crossovers and SUVs section, where’s it categorized as a Hybrid EV. Unlike its Crown sedan sibling, the Crown Signia is available with only one powertrain: a 2.5-liter I4 combined with a Nickel-Metal Hydride battery pack, two electric motor-generators, and a rear-mounted electric motor that gives the Crown Signia all-wheel drive on demand. Net horsepower is 240 and processed by an electronically controlled Continuously Variable Transmission (ECVT). Under ideal circumstances, the Crown Signia Limited can deliver 39 mpg in the city, 37 on the highway, and 38 combined. A snapshot at 109.5 miles showed we were averaging 40.8 mpg.
Once you go to the Crown Signia’s dedicated page on Toyota’s website, you’ll see its highlights, features, and the things it can do, but nothing about what it is. Interestingly, a June 2024 press release on Toyota’s media site refers to the Crown Signia as being part of Toyota’s SUV lineup, making “an all-new statement for the modern crossover,” and having “the advantages that drivers love about crossover Sport Utility Vehicles.” It seems many companies use either “crossover” or “SUV” to identify their respective vehicles, but Toyota uses both.
Unofficially, it’s easy to see the Crown Signia as a wagon. After all, it is essentially the longroof version of the Crown, which Toyota clearly identifies as a sedan. Looking at it from the side, the Subaru Outback came to mind, although that vehicle is more clearly focused on and equipped for dirty outdoor adventures.
ONE OF TOYOTA’S MOST EXPENSIVE HYBRID CROSSOVERS
Prices for the 2025 Crown Signia start at $43,790, making it slightly cheaper than the $44,210 Grand Highlander Hybrid and within several thousand of the Highlander Hybrid’s $46,320 base MSRP. Go beyond those and you start getting into Toyota’s truck-based hybrid SUVs.
There are are only two trim levels available: XLE and Limited. According to the window sticker for our Storm-Cloud-over-Saddle-Tan Crown Signia Limited review vehicle, base price shows $47,990. For that, you receive such standard features as 21-inch dark gray wheels, a fixed panoramic glass roof with a power sunshade, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and a 12.3-inch center touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Toyota added on the $1,865 Advanced Technology Package, $375 dash cam, $405 Preferred Accessory Package with carpet mats, and two other options to our test vehicle, which raised the as-tested price to $52,515 – that’s entry-level 2025 4Runner i-Force Max or 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid money.
FUNCTIONAL YET INFURIATING
There was a lot to like about the Crown Signia’s cabin. It felt completely modern with its 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, rearview camera mirror, and large center touchscreen. The automatic settings for its climate control system and front seats made sure every drive was at the right temperature. Storing small items was easy and quick thanks to the vertical wireless charging slot, open cubbyhole, and generously sized dual cup holders. The heated second row offered plenty of headroom and legroom as well as a pair of dedicated HVAC vents. Both rows seemed more spacious when the shade for the panoramic roof was open. At the very back, the 24.8 cubic feet of cargo space was enough to fit a collapsed baby stroller and additional gear.
However, there were a few odd or downright enraging parts of the Crown Signia’s user experience. The first became apparent upon sliding into the driver’s seat. The steep rake to the windshield made the front row seem more intimate and shrink-wrapped, like a sports car’s cockpit. As we’ve already learned, the Crown Signia is a lot of things, but a sports car is not one of them. Then there were those techy screens. Configuring the gauge cluster to show a desired readout was annoyingly tedious, but doing that was a pleasure compared to the sporadic wireless Apple CarPlay. Whether it was used to run YouTube audio and Apple Maps at the same time or just the latter, CarPlay lost connection so often that it was nearly useless. If anyone at Apple happened to be listening on the other end, they received an earful of expletives.
NOT SURPRISING
Whether you think the Crown Signia is a crossover, SUV, or wagon, that doesn’t change the fact that it’s a hybrid built for practical commuting, not thrilling performance. It behaved as such: the steering was firm, with a noticeable weight to it, yet it never felt heavy. Output from the hybrid engine was satisfying (not aurally – the four-cylinder engine always sounded a bit gruff), but counteracted by a stiff, uncommunicative brake pedal.
Our Luke Lamendola also spent time in the 2025 Toyota Crown Signia Limited, so listen to his thoughts in the below video review.
Click above and watch our full video review on YouTube!
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