The verdict: More sports wagon than SUV, the all-new 2025 Toyota Crown Signia is an efficient, premium mid-size two-row vehicle for shoppers who want something a little different.
Versus the competition: The Crown Signia’s premium pricing puts it in competition with two-row models like the Acura RDX and Lexus NX that have one significant advantage over the Toyota: They look like SUVs.
The 2025 Crown Signia is the second recent Toyota to wear the Crown name in the U.S., the first being the uniquely styled large sedan that debuted as a 2023 model. Just like the sedan that came first, the Crown Signia doesn’t fit neatly into a specific vehicle class. It’s a mid-size, two-row vehicle that Toyota refers to as an SUV, but its low and long roof gives it the look of a sporty mid-size wagon or hatchback. Toyota invited us to Southern California to drive the new Crown Signia, giving us an opportunity to decipher just what it is. (Per our ethics policy, Cars.com pays for its own travel and lodging when attending such manufacturer-sponsored events.)
Related: 2025 Toyota Crown Signia Up Close: Toyota Made a Sweet Hybrid Station Wagon
Looks Like a Car, Drives Like a Car
The Crown Signia’s low stance translates to a lower driving position, and the experience behind the wheel is very carlike overall; the car steers with a light touch and had a controlled, comfortable ride on the smooth California roads I drove on. However, I do wonder how the Crown Signia Limited’s 21-inch wheels and tires might affect ride quality on rougher roads (like the kind in Chicago where Cars.com is headquartered) because even on smooth asphalt, you can feel small pavement imperfections. The base XLE trim level comes with 19-inch wheels fitted with tires that have taller sidewalls, which tend to improve ride comfort.
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All Crown Signias have a gas-electric hybrid system that features a four-cylinder gas engine and two electric motors with standard all-wheel drive (a separate electric motor drives the rear wheels when needed). Total system output is 240 horsepower, and Toyota-estimated gas mileage is 38 mpg combined.
Acceleration in the Crown Signia is adequately quick, with the hybrid system delivering enough power to prevent it from feeling sluggish, and the car cruises easily at highway speeds. There is a bit of engine drone from the gas engine — typical of Toyota hybrids — and while wind noise is well managed at highway speeds, you do get some noise in the cabin from the 21-inch tires.
Cabin Commentary
Speaking of the cabin, the Crown Signia’s sleek exterior design is apparent inside. From the driver’s seat, the raked front windshield pillars stretch out in front of you, and taller folks may notice there’s not a lot of extra headroom in front. The Limited trim level has a fixed panoramic moonroof with a power sunshade that the XLE doesn’t get, and it reduces headroom by about an inch for the front and rear seats. Even so, the backseat is big enough to comfortably carry taller adults.
The Crown Signia’s interior is nicely appointed overall with standard leather-trimmed upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats and a digital instrument panel. Many of the interior surfaces you’re likely to come in contact with are soft to the touch, too. On the whole, the interior is as nice as what you’d find in an entry- or mid-level vehicle from Lexus, Toyota’s luxury brand.
A 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system is standard, and it includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. These are welcome connectivity features, but the system’s native on-screen interface makes it harder to use than other touchscreen infotainment systems.
The Crown Signia’s low stance results in a lower cargo floor, which can be beneficial when loading and unloading luggage, and the cargo area itself is surprisingly deep. What’s more, folding the standard 60/40-split rear backrest makes the extended cargo area 6.6 feet long, according to Toyota. The car’s forward-swept liftgate does cut into the cargo area, however.
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The Price of Premium
The premium feel and features of the Crown Signia come at a not-insignificant cost, as the starting price for a base XLE trim level is $44,985 (including a $1,395 destination charge), with the Limited starting at $49,385. Our test car also had an extra-cost paint color (Finish Line Red for $425) and the $1,865 Advanced Technology Package that’s available for Limited variants. The package includes a 360-degree camera system, low-speed hands-free driving system, front cross-traffic alert, and front and rear parking sensors with automatic braking. With the extra-cost color and package, the as-tested price of our Crown Signia Limited was $51,675.
Brands have launched premium wagons in the U.S. before, with recent examples including the Buick Regal TourX and Jaguar XF Sportbrake. Neither of these models had very long runs here, where shoppers have been gravitating to taller-riding vehicles that look more like SUVs. That sentiment still holds true today, and knowing this, it’s hard to see the new Crown Signia as anything more than another niche offering.
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