5 Crucial Facts About Toyota's First-Ever Crown SUV: The 2025 Crown Signia

_{Note: The newly introduced Toyota Crown Signia is described as 2024 as well as 2025 MY throughout this article. Since the vehicle will be sold in 2024 as a 2025 model, both designations should be understood as the same model.} 

The anticipation surrounding Toyota's latest offering, the Crown Signia, finally came to an end on November 14 as the Japanese automaker officially unveiled the vehicle just before the 2023 Los Angeles Auto Show. As the latest addition to the ever-expanding global Crown lineup, the Signia is Toyota's exclusive offering for North America, armed with an all-wheel-drive hybrid powertrain. This adventurous SUV is the second Crown variant to grace North American shores, following the high-riding, fastback sedan that made its debut in 2022. 

The Crown Signia breaks away from the traditional SUV mold, opting for an elevated wagon profile strikingly similar to the Volvo V60 Cross Country - a comparison that bodes well for the new entrant. A clean front end with slim horizontal running lamps and compact headlamp units adds to its sleek appeal, while a closed-off grille with diamond mesh detailing and a larger air opening at the bottom completes the look. 

The Crown Signia marks a pivotal moment in Toyota's history - it is the first-ever SUV under the Toyota Crown nameplate, a symbol of quality and sophistication for nearly seven decades. Set to hit the roads in 2024 as a 2025 model, the Crown Signia is an exciting blend of the past and the future, promising to offer North American customers a unique blend of elevated ride, style, and premium quality in a crossover package. Below are five facts about the new Crown Signia you need to know. 

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1. The 2025 Toyota Crown Signia Will Replace The Venza

The Toyota Venza, once the symbol of a special blend of wagon and crossover, went under the knife to be reborn as a hybrid-only SUV known as the Harrier in some markets. All the same, the Venza's journey appears to have reached its conclusion, as Toyota paves the way for a new king to ascend the throne – the Crown Signia. 

Toyota's decision to close the Venza’s chapter after the 2024 model year follows a well-known pattern in the nameplate's transient existence, fraught with evolving body styles and powertrain configurations that just didn’t seem to do the trick needed to keep the Venza long-term. 

The Venza’s most recent return to the market was in 2021 as a midsize hybrid SUV, but – apparently, it still couldn’t move enough units to keep the marque’s number crunchers happy. 

The SUV's significantly heftier price tag, despite the similarity in size and powertrain to the RAV4 Hybrid (starting at $36,415 vs. the RAV4 Hybrid's $32,825), could be just one of – we believe – a few reasons the Venza just couldn’t dislodge the bolder on its shoulder. 

Toyota justified Venza’s premium price with a more sophisticated design, enhanced convenience features, and cutting-edge tech, including the standout electrochromic glass roof panel that allowed drivers to alter its opacity. Be as it may, consumer response remained lukewarm, with only 133,727 Venzas sold since the model's 2021 revival. 

In contrast, the RAV4 moved a massive 366,741 units in 2022 alone. Where the Venza failed with its unjustifiably unremarkable performance, a high starting price, and limited cargo space, Toyota has – hopefully – groomed the 2025 Toyota Crown Signia to fill the void left by the Venza on these fronts. 

The Crown Signia takes the throne with a three-motor hybrid system, producing a decent 243 horsepower, significantly surpassing Venza's net 219 horsepower. Moreover, the Crown Signia introduces towing capabilities, rated up to 2,700 pounds. 

Furthermore, while the Venza’s compact nature and the resultant limited cargo space come from a shared wheelbase with the RAV4 Hybrid, the Crown Signia offers a more spacious interior. 

Although the Venza is taking its innovative electrochromic roof with it, the Crown Signia's Limited trim will court the Venza’s fans with a conventional glass roof. Time will tell if the new Signia will wear the crown better and if the Venza will even stay dead this time. 

2. The 2025 Toyota Crown Signia Will Come Standard With Toyota HEV System And Electronic On-Demand All-Wheel Drive

The Crown Signia SUV further expands Toyota’s Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) lineup, using a Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) format designed to minimize passenger vehicle emissions. The 2024/25 Signia comes standard with Toyota’s Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) powertrain and On-Demand All-Wheel-Drive (AWD). 

Signia’s HEV system enjoys the support of a 2.5-liter DOHC four-cylinder engine and two electric motor generators, resulting in the aforementioned 243 combined net horsepower and a preliminary manufacturer-estimated 36 combined MPG rating. Signia, Toyota says, will leverage the electric motor to enhance low-speed torque and a heightened sense of acceleration and responsiveness. 

Since the original Prius’s August 1997 launch in Japan, Toyota has led the way with the full hybrid system that utilizes two independent power sources – a battery-powered electric motor and a gasoline-driven combustion engine. This system can either co-drive the vehicle or work independently. With over 15 million units sold, it's the leading hybrid system globally. 

Toyota’s hybrid drive system comprises six primary elements: a gasoline engine, an electric motor, an electric generator, a power control unit, and a power split device. This system employs a unique gearbox to evenly distribute power from the engine, motor, and generator.

Utilizing an Electronically Controlled Continuously Variable Transmission (ECVT), the Crown Signia achieves optimal fuel economy, promoting Toyota's affinity to efficient mobility. This innovative, fuel-efficient technology can automatically switch between electric power and conventional engine power. 

In response to diverse driving conditions, the hybrid system smartly manages power from both sources to maximize efficiency and performance. The Hybrid Synergy Drive (HSD), also known as Toyota Hybrid System II, is Toyota Motor Corporation's proprietary technology for hybrid drivetrains used in Toyota and Lexus vehicles. 

Available in XLE and Limited trim levels, The Crown Signia also features Toyota's Electronic On-Demand AWD as a standard component. This efficient system features a dedicated rear electric motor that provides additional traction when required and can tow up to 2,700 pounds. 

Toyota employs four different AWD systems across its models, each designed to cater to the particular needs of the segment. They include: 

• Dynamic Torque-Control: Featured in sedans and compact SUVs
• Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD with Driveline Disconnect: Used in larger SUVs and trucks
• Electronic On-Demand AWD: Incorporated in Toyota hybrid vehicles
• AWDe: Also used in Toyota hybrid vehicles

The Electronic On-Demand AWD system replaces driveshafts with e-motor generators for the rear wheels, eliminating the mechanical connection between the front and rear wheels. The rear wheel motors are deactivated when traction is unnecessary and activated when needed. The RAV4 Hybrid, Highlander Hybrid, and now, the Crown Signia use the Electronic On-Demand AWD system. 

Operating seamlessly and transparently, this system, Toyota says, proactively distributes up to 80 percent of driving force to the rear wheels, effectively mitigating front wheel slip during initial acceleration. Beyond enhancing off-the-line starts, the AWD system improves cornering agility by reducing understeer. 

Torque distribution adapts to driving conditions, ranging from 100:0 in constant-speed scenarios to 20:80 on slippery surfaces. The Multi-information Display and audio system screen provide real-time indications of torque distribution, offering drivers valuable insights into the vehicle's performance. 

Toyota says the driver enjoys expanded lordship over the Crown with selectable driving modes – NORMAL, ECO, SPORT, and EV – allowing customization of the Signia's performance personality. 

SPORT mode sharpens throttle response, while ECO mode adjusts throttle and environmental logic to maximize fuel and battery efficiency. NORMAL mode offers an ideal balance for everyday driving, while the EV mode enables electric-only driving at low speeds for short distances. 

3. The New Toyota Crown Signia Wears A Striking Exterior Design Marked By Monochromatic Grille

The Crown Signia gets its dynamic looks from its broad posture, optional 21-inch wheels, and the distinctive Toyota Hammerhead front design, featuring a signature Daytime Running Light (DRL), a compact headlight unit, and a geometric lower grille. 

Its streamlined roofline and polished cabin offer a striking silhouette we can describe as stylish and practical, housing a spacious interior with ample second-row seating foldable to expose a 6.5-foot-long cargo space. 

The Crown Signia will come in five trendy colors, christened Storm Cloud, Finish Line Red, Oxygen White, Black, and Bronze Age. Both seating options, Saddle Tan or Black, will be available across all models. 

The Signia rolls on 21-inch dark gray metallic alloy wheels for the Limited and black-accented 19-inch multi-spoke machine-finished two-tone alloy wheels for the XLE model. 

Notably, the new Crown's arrival next summer will bring Toyota's electrified model count in the U.S. to a total of 19. In line with Toyota's multifaceted approach toward achieving carbon neutrality, Crown Signia will contribute to Toyota's "Beyond Zero" initiative. 

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4. The 2025 Signia SUV Boasts Premium Interior With Soft Touch Materials

The Tsutsumi Plant in Aichi, Japan, is the birthplace of the Toyota Crown Signia, constructed on the Toyota New Global Architecture K (TNGA-K) platform shared with the Crown sedan. This shared platform birth a vehicle that seamlessly blends sedan comfort with SUV adaptability. 

The 2025 Toyota Crown Signia, sporting a crossover design, accommodates five passengers nicely. Benefiting from the TNGA-K platform, the Crown Signia promises noticeably reduced cabin noise and steering, floor, and body vibrations. Toyota’s meticulous engineering efforts include noise reduction features such as acoustic glass, a dash silencer, and an engine cover made of noise-absorbing materials. 

Inside the Crown Signia, the front seats feature moderate bolsters complementing the longue-like rear seats. The Limited trim offers luxurious leather-trimmed seats adorned with double stitching, quilting, and fillet piping, while the XLE model flaunts a modern feel with a combination of fabric and SofTex®-trimmed seats. 

Standard features include 8-way power seats for both driver and passenger, with the Limited trim featuring an auto slide-away driver's seat with a memory function. Heated and ventilated front seats add an extra layer of comfort, and bronze-finished trim accents enhance the interior's appeal. 

The Crown Signia's interior ambiance is further heightened by the available fixed glass Panoramic Roof with a retractable shade on the Limited grade. Connectivity is seamless with a center console equipped with a vertical wireless charger and three USB-C ports. 

Thoughtful design details, such as a recessed cup holder to prevent spills and a partition for accommodating longer items, enhance daily driving versatility. Rear passengers enjoy dedicated air vents, cup holders, a rear bottle holder, seatback pockets, and two standard USB Type-C ports. 

Cargo space is generous, featuring a rear deck tailored for an active lifestyle, complete with a tonneau cover and aluminum scuff plate. For added versatility, the 60/40 second-row fold-flat seats with an extension panel create a six-and-a-half foot cargo space, complemented by a rear power liftgate for hands-free operation and rear seat release accessible from the liftgate opening for added convenience. 

5. The 2025 Toyota Crown Signia Features Industry-Leading Technology

The 2025 Toyota Crown Signia features a standard 12.3-inch color Multi-Information Display (MID) and a 12.3-inch touchscreen equipped with the latest Toyota Audio Multimedia system. Offering customizable layouts based on user preferences, the MID ensures drivers have relevant information for their driving situation. 

The vibrant digital "dials" on the MID are easily readable and display a variety of information, including a tachometer for performance enthusiasts or an Eco drive mode monitor for those focused on maximizing fuel efficiency. 

The Toyota Audio Multimedia System (TAMM) with a 12.3-inch touchscreen and wireless Bluetooth® connectivity is the handiwork of  Toyota's Texas-based Connected Technology team. The TAMM comes standard across all 2024 Crown Signia trim levels. 

It is Over-the-Air updatable and, with an active Drive Connect trial subscription, provides features like Intelligent Assistant, Cloud Navigation, and Destination Assist. Voice-activated commands, initiated with a simple "Hey Toyota," enable users to search for directions, find Points of Interest, adjust audio controls, and more. The automaker specifically designed and tuned the TAMM for the Crown Signia to ensure optimal enjoyment. 

The XLE trim fields a 6-speaker layout for crystal clear sound, while the Limited trim raises the bar with a standard 11-speaker JBL® Premium audio system, complete with a subwoofer powered by an amplifier. 

Connectivity options include wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ compatibility, offering access to Siri® for Apple CarPlay and Google Assistant for Android Auto. All Crown Signia models include a SiriusXM® Platinum Plan 3-month trial subscription to Satellite Radio and HD Radio™. 

The Limited trim comes standard with a digital rearview mirror featuring a HomeLink® universal transceiver, providing a wide, unobstructed view from a rear camera with a simple flip of a switch. 

To improve outward visibility, the Limited trim offers an optional Panoramic View Monitor bundled with a 360-degree Overhead View and Curb View for low-speed drive and reverse situations. 

The 2024 Crown Signia Limited also features a Smart Key System for all doors and the rear liftgate, while the XLE grade includes a 2-door Smart Key. Additionally, the Limited trim offers Digital Key capability, allowing a smartphone to replace a physical key (Remote Connect trial or subscription required). 

How Much Is The 2024 Toyota Crown Signia SUV

Toyota is still tight-lipped about how much exactly customers will pay to take the new Crown SUV home. However, seeing as the sedan starts at around $40,000, it's safe to expect the Signia to start at a slightly higher price, most likely below $45,000 and up to $55,000. 

While it's true that a steep price point is evidently part of Venza’s undoing, the market should expect a pricier Signa since it wears a bigger crown in terms of body / interior dimensions and mechanical performance. 

Pricing for the 2024 Toyota Venza ranges from $36,315 to $46,000, which should give us a working idea of where Toyota will peg the Signia’s price range to solidify its status as the new crown in Toyota's hybrid lineup. 

In the words of TMNA Group Vice President David Christ, "The Toyota Crown Signia takes all of the exceptional attributes of the Toyota Crown name and shapes them into a functional, sophisticated package that customers will adore." 

As the first-ever crossover SUV under Toyota's longest-running nameplate, the Crown Signia demonstrates Toyota's commitment to pushing boundaries in design, premium quality, and hybrid efficiency.