The Crown Signia is the new midsize hybrid SUV from Toyota that can be described as a mix of a crossover and a wagon. The Crown Signia delivers a smooth ride, comes well-equipped, and has an upscale and roomy cabin that feels like a Lexus, Toyota’s upscale brand. But meh performance and a relatively high starting price keep it from being a top contender in the competitive hybrid SUV category.

Base Price: $47,900
As Tested: $52,585
Horsepower: 240
Mileage: 39 mpg city/37 mpg highway/38 mpg combined

The Crown Signia replaces the Venza, which Toyota stopped producing after the 2024 model year. But the Crown Signia is quite a bit larger. It has futuristic looks that may be polarizing to Toyota fans. The front fascia has sharp lines which flow into a long, wagon-like profile.

The Crown Signia comes in two trims: XLE and Limited. Starting prices are $43,590 and 47,990, respectively. All-wheel drive is standard. There’s room for five passengers in two rows of seating.

Under the hood, the Crown Signia has the same hybrid powertrain as the RX350h: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors with a total output of 240 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque. The transmission is a continuously variable automatic transmission.

This setup makes for decent daily driving, and with its long and low profile, the Crown Signia drives more like a sedan than an SUV. No, the Crown Signia is not exciting to drive but it’ll get you from point A to point B, and it’s pleasant to drive around town and for cruising on the highway. Toyota says it can go from zero to 60 mph in about 7 seconds which feels pokey in real-world situations. And the engine can drone when you press the accelerator for a quick passing move. On the plus side, the ride is smooth and the suspension does a good job of soaking up bumps and rough roads. Steering is light and the Crown Signia feels relatively planted when cornering with little body roll.

Fuel economy is a bit below average for a hybrid SUV. EPA ratings are 39 mpg city and 37 mpg highway with a combined rating of 38. I got 35 mpg during my week with a mix of city and highway driving.

When properly equipped, the Toyota Signia Crown can tow up to 2,700 pounds.

The cabin is upscale and almost as nice as what you’d find in a Lexus. Materials are soft-touch with attractive bronze metallic accents. Leather-trimmed upholstery is standard. There’s good legroom for adults in both rows. Headroom can feel a bit tight for taller adults in the Limited trim which comes with a panoramic roof. The second row easily accommodates two adults, and a third can ride there on shorter trips. The front seats are supportive, but seats in the second row aren’t as supportive. A large configurable digital instrument panel and 12.3-inch “floating” touchscreen are on the dash.

Standard features include remote keyless entry, push-button start, rearview camera, dual-zone automatic climate control, auto-dimming rearview mirror, heated side mirrors, leather-trimmed upholstery, eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with memory function and lumbar support, eight-way power adjustable front passenger seat, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, heated and leather-trimmed steering wheel, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with selectable gauges, infotainment system with 12.3-inch touchscreen, navigation, six-speaker audio system, satellite radio, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, five USB ports, wireless device charging, Wi-Fi hot spot, 12V auxiliary power outlet, universal garage door opener and automatic high beam headlights.

Available features include remote start, digital key, surround-view camera system, digital rearview mirror, 11-speaker JBL audio system, panoramic fixed-glass roof with power sunshade, automatic high beam headlights with level control, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and puddle lights.

Standard driver assistance technologies include forward collision warning, forward automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-trace assist, blind-spot monitoring, pedestrian detection, traffic-sign recognition, rear-seat alert, and vehicle exit warning (warns passengers exiting the vehicle of other vehicles approaching from behind).

Available driver assistance technologies include lane-change assist, traffic-jam assist (controls braking, acceleration and steering at slow speeds), front cross-traffic alert, reverse automatic emergency braking, and front and rear park assist with automatic braking.

The infotainment system looks good with its big 12.3-inch touchscreen and bright, sharp graphics. The system is user-friendly with logically arranged menus and it’s easy for the driver to see and reach the icons. The system responds quickly to commands. Physical controls make it easy to adjust audio and climate settings.

Cargo space is about average for a hybrid SUV and varies by the trim. The XLE has 25.8 cubic feet of space behind the second row and 68.8 cubes with the second row folded. The Limited trim has a panoramic glass roof that cuts cargo space to 24.8 and 66.1 cubic feet. The rear seats split-fold 60/40. A hands-free power liftgate and cargo area tonneau cover are standard. The Crown Signia’s low profile makes it easy to load and unload things from the cargo area.

The good:

Distinctive looks

Smooth ride

Standard all-wheel drive

High-end cabin

Many standard features and tech

User-friendly infotainment system

Standard wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay

The not-so-good:

Steep starting price

Not sporty

Fuel economy is slightly below average for a hybrid SUV

Pricing info:

My tester starts at $47,990. The Advanced Technology Package is $1,865 and includes a 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. Premium paint is $425. Wheel locks are $105. The Preferred Accessory Package is $425 and includes all-weather mats, all-weather cargo tray, all-weather floor liners, cargo tote and first aid kid. A connected services trial offering with two additional years of Drive Connect and Remote Connect in addition to the one-year standard trial is $325. The delivery fee is $1,450 bringing the grand total to $52,585.

Bottom line:

The all-new 2025 Crown Signia is a good blend of mainstream and luxury, and wagon and SUV, all in a hybrid. It’s roomy and upscale, easy to drive, has a smooth ride, comes loaded with features and tech, and has a different look than other Toyotas and other crossovers in general. It’ll appeal to buyers who want something a bit different. But the Crown Signia is pricier than many hybrid rivals and performance is rather underwhelming with lackluster acceleration and an engine that can drone when pressed. Shop around as some rivals offer better handling and fuel efficiency at a lower price.