2025 Toyota Crown Signia Wants to Impress Rivals With 240 HP and 38 MPG Hybrid Powertrain

Some of the reviews for the 2025 Toyota Crown Signia are eulogistic, others not so much. While some experts considered it a Lexus without the badge, others think it might turn into a jack of all trades and master of none. Indeed, the all-new Toyota Crown Signia is not just a simple crossover SUV like any other CUV, just as the regular $41,440 Crown is not just another mid-size hybrid sedan.

Instead, it seeks to steal customers from across segments and comes with many features to do the job right. It has a simple trim offer – XLE and Limited, with a singular powertrain and transmission choice: on-demand AWD and the iconic Toyota Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) system. The combined power is 240 horsepower achieved through a 2.5-liter DOHC four-cylinder engine, a hybrid transaxle, and a Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) battery. Nothing too fancy, but it gets an EPA-estimated 39/37/38 MPG (city/highway/combined) rating and can also sprint to 60 mph (96 kph) in 7.1 seconds.

Speaking of taking cues from more worlds than one, it comes with a 6.7-inch ground clearance, 74-inch overall width, and 112.2-inch wheelbase for sedan-like comfort and near-SUV capabilities. It can also tow up to 2,700 pounds, features an electronically controlled brake system featuring Active Cornering Assist, and many creature comforts like three USB-C and a 12V charging port up front along with a vertical wireless Qi charger plus two USB-Type C ports for the rear passengers.

Inside, the Crown Signia's 60/40 second-row seats fold flat to form a 6.5-foot-long cargo area. At the same time, the driver gets soft-touch materials, the 12.3-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia Touchscreen, and Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 as standard perks, and leather-trimmed seats around the cabin. The XLE grade boasts 19-inch wheels, heated and ventilated powered front seats, heated outboard seats in the rear, or a six-speaker audio system. Meanwhile, the Limited trim offers all the XLE features but upgrades to 21-inch wheels, a fixed glass panoramic roof, an 11-speaker JBL Premium audio system, and more.

There aren't a lot of options to change the customer's judgment when using the online configurator – the Advanced Technology Package on Limited comes with a Panoramic View Monitor, additional safety systems, or exterior mirrors with posh Puddle Lights. However, trying to make a lot of things all at once might result in the old saying of turning into a jack-of-all-trades-master-of-none! For example, it might kill off the capable $35k Venza because that's another crossover with just two rows and offered exclusively with a hybrid powertrain. Of course, it's not as luxurious and powerful, sporting 'just' 219 horsepower. But it's not too far either, and the estimated mileage is 40/37 mpg!

Of course, Toyota only cares about the fact that's it's almost $10k more expensive to buy a Crown Signia, so customers will send a bigger profit to dealers and the automaker during the acquisition process. How about external rivals? With its plush interior and comfy ride, the new CUV looks and feels like a budget-priced Lexus if you look at it from a different angle. Also, it's priced competitively to rival mainstream models such as the Honda Passport, Nissan Murano, Mazda CX-70, Subaru Outback, and even the Lexus NX or even a Tesla Model Y.

The Honda Passport starts from $41,900 for the 2024 model year and comes with a more traditional package – a 280-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 and three grades: EX-L, TrailSport, and Black Edition. The fact that it's cheaper to begin with, more powerful, and feistier thanks to the higher-displacement engine are things to consider – the only downside is that it's growing long in the tooth and doesn't look near-premium like the Crown Signia. Also, it's probably up for a new generation very soon, or at least we really hope so.

The Nissan Murano is another crossover SUV that blurs the lines between the passenger car sector and CUVs much more than many would like. It's also quite old as the third generation arrived in April 2014 (a decade ago!) at the New York International Auto Show, with production starting in Canton, Mississippi, with the VQ 3.5-liter V6 churning out 260 horsepower. The good thing about it is that it's much cheaper, starting at $38,740, but that's with front-wheel drive – the Intelligent AWD models kick off at $40,440, still marginally better than a Crown Signia. Alas, the age difference is quite visible between them.

The Mazda CX-70 arrived recently as a 2025 model-year sibling of the three-row CX-90. They share a lot of components and powertrains, but the CX-70 is, curiously, more expensive than the CX-90, with a starting MSRP of $40,445. Interestingly, there's a choice to be made – you can have the juicy 3.3-liter turbo inline-six with 280 horsepower, or if you really want to beat the Crown Signia down the straight line to the electrification punch, there's also the CX-70 PHEV with a plug-in hybrid powertrain starting from $54,400. Yep, it's much more expensive but also punchier, with 323 hp and up to 26 miles of zero-emissions driving.

Last but not least, the Subaru Outback is an elevated station wagon, but it's much more rugged and cheap-looking and also tons more affordable - $28,895 with the naturally-aspirated boxer engine or $39,360 with the turbo version boasting 256 horsepower. Also, it's worth looking at the Lexus NX as the Hybrid version starts from $46,075 or at the Tesla Model Y, which kicks off at $45k, but that's before federal tax incentives!