For over 70 years, Toyota’s renowned “Crown” label has been a symbol of excellence. However, it has never graced an SUV model until now. The introduction of the 2025 Toyota Crown Signia as the first in its category marks a significant milestone. It’s set to make its debut in the United States, sharing the stage with its sedan companion. Similar to the traditional Crown and the latest Camry, the Crown Signia will be exclusively available as a hybrid.
The Crown Signia bears a resemblance to Toyota’s new Prius rather than its sedan namesake, featuring sleek wraparound headlights and a body-colored front grille. This design approach is being adopted by Toyota across their lineup, also seen on various Lexus models. While the front profile echoes the Prius, the overall look is characterized by clean lines and a minimalist aesthetic, complemented by a straightforward horizontal LED light bar. Setting the Crown Signia apart from its sedan counterpart is a strategic move, considering the mixed reactions to the existing model’s eccentric, often dual-tone appearance.
The newly unveiled Crown Signia retains the TNGA-K platform shared with its sedan counterpart. Despite its crossover classification (interestingly, the more sedan-like Crown in Japan is referred to as the “Crown Crossover”), both models boast similar ride heights. The sedan version has been designed with a higher ride height to enhance ingress and egress comfort.
Sharing a common platform, it’s not surprising that the two vehicles also share a comparable powertrain. The Signia is propelled by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motor generators, complemented by an electric motor at the rear axle, resulting in a total output of 243 horsepower. There is no confirmation yet regarding the availability of the SUV with the enhanced Hybrid Max setup of the other Crown, boasting 340 hp.
Equipped with front-wheel engine power and rear-wheel electric motor propulsion, the Crown Signia comes standard with all-wheel drive. With a towing capacity of 2,700 pounds, this SUV is not intended for heavy-duty hauling but rather aimed at delivering a serene and comfortable driving experience in daily usage.
Ensuring that luxury is paramount in Toyota’s latest cabin design, featuring a stylish layered dashboard layout, a dual-screen infotainment/cluster display, and generously cushioned seats. Instead of including leather as standard, which may seem unconventional for a Crown, it is offered as an option, alongside a panoramic sunroof and an 11-speaker JBL surround sound system. Recognizing the demand for technology in this segment, the Crown Signia comes equipped with Toyota’s widely-used 12.3-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system (TAMM) and a 12.3-inch digital gauge display as standard. Both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support wireless connectivity and can engage their respective virtual assistants, Siri and Google Assistant. An optional 360-degree camera system is available only on the Limited trim and higher, which includes a Curb View feature for low-speed and reverse maneuvers.
In Japan, the Toyota Crown name holds significant value, so traditional enthusiasts might feel a tinge of disappointment seeing it associated with a crossover. However, from a sales standpoint, this decision is strategic, particularly in the SUV-dominated United States market. With a design that is less divisive than the sedan and a more popular body style, it would not be surprising to witness the Crown Signia surpass the sedan’s sales figures in a short span of time.
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