Toyota says the new Crown Signia is an SUV.
But if the Volvo V60 Cross Country is a station wagon---and it is---then isn't the Crown Signia, really?
The Toyota is five inches longer, five inches taller and one inch narrower than the Volvo. Apart from those dimensions, the silhouettes are very nearly identical.
But---the Crown Signia has only 6.7 inches of ground clearance, while the V60 Cross Country has 7.8, which makes it much more useful off-road, which should have some bearing on whether a vehicle is an SUV...or a station wagon.
Ultimately, barring any violent disagreement by the U.S. Department of Transportation, a vehicle is whatever the manufacturer says it is, and we should address the rest of what the Crown Signia is. It's a companion to the Toyota Crown sedan, and part of a one-two punch that knocks out two familiar Toyota models. The Crown sedan replaces the Avalon and the Crown Signia takes the place of the Venza.
The Crown Signia is longer than the Venza by seven inches, is an inch wider and two inches lower.
Under the hood of the Crown Signia is the base hybrid powerplant of the Crown sedan. It's a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with an electric motor. Total system output is 240 horsepower. It's all-wheel drive and uses a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The EPA fuel economy estimate is a combined 38 mpg (39 city/37 highway).
Zero to 60 happens in about seven seconds, but it doesn't happen quietly.
I talked about this a year and a half ago in my review of the Toyota Highlander---not a hybrid, but still with a four-cylinder. Toyota's fours aren't quiet and the noises they make are really unrefined. It's a sound totally at odds with the sleek looks of the exterior and the very nice interior accommodations of the Crown Signia.
There's 25.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second-row seats of the Crown Signia. Fold those flat, and it's 68.8. If you're in the Limited (our tester) those numbers drop to 24.8 and 66.1 respectively because of a standard panoramic glass roof.
Rear seat passengers get a comfy 37.1 inches of legroom.
The base price of the 2025 Toyota Crown Signia Limited is $47,990 (not including $1,450 delivery, processing and handling fee). That buys a generous amount of standard equipment, including a comprehensive suite of active safety features, LED projector headlights, LED daytime running lights, 21-inch dark gray metallic wheels, a hands-free power liftgate, the aforementioned panoramic fixed glass roof, low-profile roof rails, a 12.3-inch driver information display and a 12.3-inch center touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a three-month trial of SiriusXM satellite radio, an 11-speaker JBL audio system with subwoofer and amp, leather-trimmed heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a digital rearview mirror with Homelink and wireless smart phone charging.
Our test vehicle also had some extra-cost options: $1865 for the Advanced Technology Package (panoramic view monitor, traffic jam assist, lane change assist, front cross-traffic alert, front and rear parking assist with automatic braking, outer mirrors with puddle lights and reverse tilt-down feature), $105 for wheel locks, $405 for the Preferred Accessory Package (carpeted floor mats, carpeted cargo mat, a cargo tote and first aid kit), $325 for two additional years of Toyota Drive Connect and Remote Connect in addition to the standard one-year trials, and $425 for the Finish Line Red paint.
Bottom line on the window sticker, with delivery: $52,565.
I love the styling, the versatility, the standard features and the driving manners. What I couldn't deal with is the engine drone. The Toyota Crown Signia needs the 340-horsepower Hybrid MAX turbocharged powerplant with its six-speed automatic. That would be a wagon...er...SUV...that would be difficult to beat.
