Hybrid Swagger, But No Crown: Toyota’s Signia Is Smooth but Missing a Spark

I first drove the 2025 Toyota Crown Signia at this year’s Texas Auto Writers Association Auto Roundup, attending as part of the TXGarage team. It looked sharp, drove well, and delivered on Toyota’s hybrid promise. But compared to the first time I got behind the wheel of the Crown sedan, the Signia didn’t leave me stunned. That car had presence. This one—not quite.

Now, after a full week with the Crown Signia Limited, doing everything from my daily commute to school drop-offs, errands, and a trip downtown, my impressions have solidified: this is a very good crossover. It’s smooth, quiet, and efficient. It’s practical and upscale. It just doesn’t feel like the next big thing. And that’s the catch.

What Is the Crown Signia?

The Crown Signia is Toyota’s newest hybrid SUV, replacing the now-departed Venza in their lineup. It’s a midsize, two-row vehicle built on the same TNGA-K platform as the Crown sedan. Unlike the sedan, though, the Signia doesn’t come with a performance-minded Hybrid MAX option. Every Signia is powered by Toyota’s 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid system with three electric motors—delivering 240 net horsepower through an eCVT and standard electronic on-demand AWD.

The Signia comes in two trims: XLE and Limited. My test vehicle was the Limited, finished in Storm Cloud and fitted with the Advanced Technology Package. Pricing for the Limited starts around $47,990, and with options like the panoramic view monitor and digital rearview mirror, you’re knocking on $52K—a number that starts to overlap with Lexus territory.

Driving Impressions

On the road, the Crown Signia is confident and composed. Ride quality is excellent, soaking up expansion joints and rough pavement without complaint. Steering is light but reasonably precise. The cabin remains impressively quiet, a testament to Toyota’s attention to NVH and sound insulation.

But despite its premium intentions, the powertrain isn’t particularly refined under load. The 2.5-liter hybrid setup is smooth at lower speeds, but push it—like merging onto the highway or overtaking—and the engine gets loud and droney. There’s no sense of urgency. The 0-60 time of around 7.1 seconds is fine, but the experience doesn’t match the elegant exterior or price tag.

For everyday use, though? The Crown Signia shines. Fuel economy is excellent, with EPA estimates of 39 city / 37 highway / 38 combined MPG, and I saw close to 36 MPG during a week of mixed driving. The AWD system, which uses a rear-mounted electric motor, adds confidence in wet conditions without the weight of a traditional system. And EV mode is handy for parking garages or short runs around the neighborhood.

Interior and Practicality

Inside, the Crown Signia does a lot right. The Limited trim features a 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a JBL 11-speaker audio system, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and a digital rearview mirror. Materials feel premium, especially the soft-touch dash and contrast stitching. The Saddle Tan interior on my tester added a touch of warmth that some Lexus cabins lack.

Space is generous for a midsize SUV. Rear legroom is more than adequate for adults, and the cargo area—especially with the rear seats folded flat—is long enough to fit bikes, luggage, or even a small Costco run. With the panoramic roof, cargo volume is slightly reduced (66.1 cu ft vs. 68.8), but it never felt compromised in day-to-day use.

That said, there are quirks. The fixed panoramic roof doesn’t open, and some reviewers have noted reduced headroom with it equipped. The digital gauge cluster, while customizable, isn’t the most intuitive to navigate. And yes—there’s no spare tire. Just a tire repair kit, and the storage well isn’t deep enough to retrofit one easily.

The Verdict

There’s a lot to like about the Crown Signia. It’s stylish, efficient, and genuinely premium-feeling. It offers Lexus-lite quality at Toyota pricing, especially in the XLE trim. For someone looking for a fuel-sipping, comfortable daily driver with just enough flair to stand out from the RAV4 crowd, it’s a smart pick.

But the Crown Signia isn’t a revolution. It doesn’t spark excitement the way the Crown sedan did. It’s Toyota doing what Toyota does best—delivering a well-built, efficient, and thoughtful product. Just don’t expect fireworks.