The Toyota Crown nameplate is a storied one, known for its prestige and history. However, it has been absent from the U.S. market for quite some time. The reintroduction of the Crown sedan marked its return, but Toyota didn’t stop there.
They have now unveiled a new crossover model, the 2025 Toyota Crown Signia. This article delves into whether the Crown Signia is worth considering over the well-established Toyota RAV4, particularly the RAV4 Hybrid Limited.
Table of contents
A First Look at the Crown Signia
The first thing you’ll notice about the Crown Signia is its sophisticated and sleek design. This crossover stands out with its Lexus-like grill and body-colored perforations that provide a premium look.
The gloss black elements add a touch of elegance, seamlessly integrating into the headlight units. Unlike the RAV4, which has a rugged, boxy design, the Crown Signia offers a more refined and luxurious appearance.
Design and Exterior Features
Walking around the Crown Signia, the first thing you’ll notice is its glossy black elements and large 21-inch alloy wheels. These features give it a refined and elevated look.
Unlike the RAV4, which is designed with a more rugged, off-road appeal, the Crown Signia goes for a more urban and sophisticated style.
The headlights on the Crown Signia are projector LEDs, and they sit a bit lower than the daytime running lights and turn signals. An interesting design twist is the faux light bend, which is just for show but adds to the aesthetics.
If you’re worried about ground clearance, the Crown Signia offers 5.8 inches, which is less than what you get with the RAV4. But those 21-inch wheels sure make up for it in style.
Interior Luxury and Comfort
Now, let’s step inside. The Crown Signia’s interior is where it really starts to shine. Think of it as a blend between a regular Toyota and a Lexus. The cabin features a luxurious two-tone finish with soft-touch materials and high-quality pieces. Everything feels solid and premium.
Both the Crown Signia and the RAV4 offer digital gauge clusters and plenty of luxury features like heated and ventilated seats and a heated steering wheel.
But the Crown Signia takes it a notch higher with a larger 12.3-inch center display compared to the RAV4’s 10-inch display. This larger screen provides more real estate and a more integrated look, unlike the pop-up style in the RAV4.
Rear Seats and Cargo Space
The rear seats in the Crown Signia are spacious and comfortable, with premium materials and heated rear seats in the Limited trim.
Although official specs were not available at the time of review, the first impressions indicate ample legroom and a comfortable seating experience.
The trunk of the Crown Signia offers a hands-free power liftgate, and although specific measurements were not provided, it is estimated to offer around 65 cubic feet of space with the seats folded down. This is slightly less than the RAV4, which benefits from a higher roofline.
However, the Crown Signia has a clever feature where the rear seats fold to create a completely flat loading floor, enhancing its practicality for hauling items.
Hybrid Performance and Fuel Economy
The Crown Signia is exclusively available as a hybrid, using Toyota’s fourth-generation hybrid system. This system combines a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with electric motors to produce a total output of 243 horsepower.
This is slightly more than the RAV4 Hybrid, which has around 20 horsepower less. Despite the power difference, acceleration between the two is expected to be similar due to the Crown Signia’s larger size.
Both models come with standard all-wheel drive and are paired with e-CVT transmissions. Fuel economy is where the RAV4 Hybrid has an edge, with Toyota estimating the Crown Signia at 36 miles per gallon, while the RAV4 Hybrid is rated above 40 miles per gallon by the EPA.
Safety and Technology
Safety is a priority for Toyota, and both the Crown Signia and RAV4 come equipped with the latest Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 suite. This includes features like adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert, and pre-collision systems. The Crown Signia Limited also adds a traffic jam assist function, a premium feature typically found in Lexus vehicles.
In terms of technology, the Crown Signia offers advanced features such as a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, standard wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. It also includes a digital camera mirror and a fixed glass moonroof with a shade. The RAV4, while also well-equipped, does not offer some of these premium features in its top trims.
Pricing and Value
One of the most critical factors in choosing between the Crown Signia and the RAV4 is pricing. While official prices for the Crown Signia were not available at the time of review, it is estimated to start around $43,000 for the XLE trim and go up to $50,000 for the Limited trim.
In comparison, a fully loaded RAV4 Hybrid Limited with most options costs around $44,000, making the Crown Signia roughly $6,000 to $7,000 more expensive.
This price difference reflects the Crown Signia’s premium features and luxurious feel, positioning it as a mid-level luxury vehicle between a standard Toyota and a Lexus.
Availability
The 2025 Toyota Crown Signia is expected to go on sale in the summer of 2024. For those looking to buy a vehicle sooner, the RAV4 Hybrid is more readily available and might be a more immediate option.
Conclusion
So, should you buy the 2025 Toyota Crown Signia over the RAV4? It really boils down to what you value more in a vehicle. If you’re looking for a touch of luxury, advanced technology, and a sleek design, the Crown Signia is a fantastic choice. It’s got that premium feel without jumping all the way to a Lexus.
But if you’re after practicality, better fuel economy, and something you can get your hands on right away, the RAV4 Hybrid is hard to beat. Both models offer the reliability and quality that Toyota is known for, so you can’t really go wrong either way.
