Toyota is on a roll with SUVs. They build one for every need and every customer. They are dedicated to hybrid technology, whether it’s to save fuel or get more power out of the fuel already being used. More space, smart solutions and more luxuries are a must.
Buyers looking for luxury without the flash will find it in the first ever 2025 Toyota Crown Signia, a new SUV from Toyota that goes on sale this month. This is a “just right” SUV with lots of interior space, an approachable price, a simplified trim lineup and premium features. And a demure approach to low-key luxury; what you need and deserve without the pomp.
Crown Signia, the SUV Sibling of the Crown Sedan
The Toyota Crown has been a familiar name in Japan for years, and now, in North America with the introduction in 2022 of the Crown sedan. To build on the name, the Crown Signia crossover joins the lineup as a premium SUV. The Crown Signia replaces the Toyota Venza, a similarly sized and outfitted SUV that was also revived a few years ago. It’s fair to consider the Crown Signia a makeover of the Venza with a new name.
The Signia is equipped with a 4-cylinder turbo hybrid engine that generates 240 HP and estimated to get about 38 MPG. All models are hybrid and all wheel drive.
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Toyota Crown Signia Comes in Two Trims; Here’s What They Cost
The Crown Signia is available in two flavors: “better” and “best:” XLE and Limited. XLE is priced at $43,590 and the Limited is priced at $47,990. Each carries a $1,395 destination charge and there are a few limited options, such as paint color, that can tick the price up just a bit.
The model name is on the right lower rear of the Crown Signia; on the left you’ll see Toyota’s blue hybrid badge and HEV, for hybrid electric vehicle. And then very demurely the Crown name spelled out across under a subtly small Toyota badge and a light bar that spans the rear lift gate. Toyota decided not to add the Signia name to rear badging, adding to the subtle character of this car; IYKYK.
Inside, Crown Design and a Nice Array of Features
The first thing you’ll notice in the Crown Signia is all the leather. Real leather. On the seats, the center console and door panels. Our test model was a lovely Storm Cloud gray on the exterior complemented by this rich saddle brown interior, and it felt nice settling into the seats for a drive. The multimedia system and driver display are front and center on the dashboard, and necessary conveniences like a place for two phones to sit and charge are contained on the console.
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The Crown Signia XLE is Nicely Loaded
The XLE model comes with a lot of premium conveniences, including leather heated and vented front seats, a 12” multimedia screen, a 12″ driver display, auto brake hold, wireless charging, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 5 USB ports, a smart key, roof rails, Toyota Safety sense 3.0 and a one year subscription to Toyota Drive Connect cloud-based navigation.
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Crown Signia Limited Adds More Luxury
For $4,400 more, the Limited model adds more features including a true panoramic sunroof that spans the cabin. I was a bit disappointed that it isn’t the same “Stargaze” roof that the Venza has, which transitions from clear to opaque with the swipe of a finger on the upper control panel. This sunroof has a retractable cover, though, so you can block out the light if you like.
Other Limited features include heated side mirrors with puddle lights, rain sensing wipers, digital phone as key and digital rear view mirror. Limited buyers can also add a Technology package ($1,865) with a surround view camera, power folding mirrors and additional driver assistance features including traffic jam assist, rear and front park assist and lane change assist.
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A Huge Cargo Space Enhanced by These Cargo Floor Extenders
This detail is pretty brilliant. If you’ve ever tried to load something large into your SUV only to be hampered by the gap between the front and rear seats, well, that’s not an issue here. The Crown Signia has seat back extenders that flip over to fill that gap. Now, things in the cargo area are easier to reach from the rear doors, the entire cargo space has a linear measure of 6’5″ and there’s still that storage spot under the seat extenders.
And if you wanted to, you could actually sleep on the cargo floor; it lays pretty flat.
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Wide Rear Seats are Child Car Seat Friendly
Not that I would put this car at the top of the family-friendly category, but it’s not bad. The idea of the Crown, in general, is premium space and features, and that means car seats should fit nicely. With the driver’s seat set for me (I’m 5.8″) and the passenger seat positioned even further back, I measured 32″ seat back to seat back. There is a lot of legroom, space for moving around and for drivers who need to install a rear-facing kids car seat, the Crown Signia is capable. There are two sets of lower anchors and 3 upper tethers.
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Toyota’s Great Tech is At Your Service
Wireless everything is a nice benefit in both Crown Signia trims: Wireless phone charging, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Connect your phone once and every time you hop in you’re connected. If you need to connect your phone to the multimedia system via a cable, use the USB port in the center arm rest.
When you don’t want or need your phone connected to the system, Toyota’s multimedia system is at your service. Navigation, phone, entertainment, vehicle settings and more are found on the touch screen. Below the screen is a climate control panel with buttons for everything you need.
If you can’t find what you want, or your eyes are on the road, just say “Hey Toyota” and the assistant can probably accomplish it for you.
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A Digital Rear View Mirror is a Nice Touch
This (and the sunroof) might be the reason to upgrade to the Limited model. The digital rear view mirror is a camera on the rear of the Crown Signia that displays a wide, clear view behind the car. At night it’s much brighter and easier to see than the reflective view. And if you do want to see the reflective view, just flip the tab under the mirror to toggle back. The digital rear view mirror can be especially helpful when the rear seat is full of people, or stuff.
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The Driver’s Command Center Has Top Features at Your Fingertips
We love this diminutive gear shifter, inspired by the shifter in the Lexus LC 500. It feels nice in the palm of your hand. Just below it is the drive mode selector—select from normal, eco, sport or set up your own custom drive mode—and to the right is the auto brake hold and EV mode. Brake hold allows you to take your foot off the brake once you’ve applied it at a stop sign or traffic signal; EV mode will allow you to drive in all electric for as far as the hybrid battery has charge for, which is minimal. But if you want fully silent electric driving, you can have it.
Just above the gear selector is the wireless phone cubby; drop your phone in and it charges automatically. A wide cupholder/phone holder to the right also has two USB ports.
The Crown Signia Has a Clever Dual-Opening Arm Rest
This is a common feature in many Lexus models: The center arm rest opens toward the driver or the passenger; there’s a button on each side for this. This makes it easier to see into the bin and find what you need. And the lone USB port here provides the data connection too; use it to connect your phone to the multimedia system.
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A Sleek New Front Face Defines the Crown Signia
The front face of the Crown Signia is crisp and clean, marked by a grille that fades from mesh to solid and linear daytime running lights under under the hoodline. Headlights are small and simple, just in front of the fenders. The overall look is minimalist and elegant rather than flashy or budget-y.
And that is much of the point of the Crown Signia: A well-appointed, well-priced car that delivers the things you need and want and deserve without over-the-top conspicuousness or compromise. Toyota makes other SUVs for that.
Disclosure: I was a guest of Toyota for this test drive. Travel and accommodations were provided but all opinions are my own.
