The Crown Signia is the second and final iteration of the Crown in Canada. While known as the Crown Property in Japan, this model essentially takes the form of a wagon variation, closely mirroring the dimensions and proportions of the Subaru Outback and Volvo V60 Cross Country. To gain insight into our assessment of the Crown ‘Crossover’-style, simply click on this link; meanwhile, let’s swiftly highlight some pivotal distinctions.
The Crown Signature’s price tag is a whopping $3,063 higher than its standard counterpart, yet it offers a significantly larger cargo hold, roomier interior, and an upgrade from 19-inch to 21-inch wheels. The Toyota RAV4 Prime is an attractive alternative to the Venza, boasting a sleek design that’s just as refined. With its sleek design, the Signia presents itself as the stylishly proportioned sibling, boasting an elongated roofline that elegantly lengthens its silhouette into a lean, streamlined shape. Despite its complexity to quantify in every image and on an individual basis, the Crown Signia measures 50mm shorter than the Crossover yet boasts a 40mm increase in width and 86mm rise in height. The car’s sleek profile is enhanced by significantly reduced black physique cladding around the wheel arches and fenders, resulting in a sophisticated and refined appearance. Notably, the Signia’s added 105kg weight burden, combined with larger wheels, is likely to impact its fuel efficiency in a significant manner.
Not surprisingly, those unacquainted with the Crown nameplate won’t be astonished. Despite being the second-longest-running nameplate from Japan, with the iconic Land Cruiser the sole exception, the term “Crown” does not refer to a specific family designation in Canada. It’s in Asia nonetheless. Visitors to Japan’s vibrant streets may stumble upon one without realizing its storied past – a humble, unassuming presence amidst neon-lit alleys and historic temples. A sleek, self-driving limousine, its aerodynamic design gleaming with a fresh coat of paint, boasts luxurious interior decor reminiscent of a retro nursing home, while a well-dressed gentleman, immaculately attired in crisp white gloves, confirms our initial impression: a high-end ride. The iconic and culturally revered Toyota Crown has long been synonymous with Japan’s taxi and police fleets. After a 40-year absence, the iconic Crown brand makes its long-awaited return to the Canadian market.
Let’s use the Crown logos just like they still do in Japan instead of the lettered script here. By doing so, it could potentially fortify its ties to the parent brand, thereby securing its status as a reputable and cohesive sub-entity. Notably, this perk comes with a sleeker and more stylish key fob design. While The Crown has considerable unexplored potential, one might wonder whether Toyota is aware of the immense reverence Westerners have for Japanese heritage and culture.
The Signia’s elongated roofline effectively addresses numerous ergonomic concerns related to the rear-seat comfort and expanded cargo capacity. The Signia’s larger entry doorways simplify egress and ingress compared to the typical Crown model. With our initial concerns centered on the limited rear-seat space, including cramped legroom and a low ceiling, it’s heartening to report that this wagon iteration boasts an extended roofline that culminates in the trunk lid, resulting in abundant space for passengers to comfortably spread out.
As I settle into the cramped space behind my 6-foot frame, my knees graze the edge of the seatback, but my hair remains immaculately styled. The rear seats offer a subtle recline, neither too steep nor too flat, while the seat cushions provide comfortable support and the added bonus of heating. Meanwhile, the third window behind the headrest plays a significant role in amplifying the sense of openness and allowing for gentle, ambient light to seep into the cabin. The second-row seats fold down, but instead of lying flat against the cargo floor, they slope upward slightly. The sunroof’s two panels, divided neatly, admit an abundance of sunlight, illuminating the dark interior with a welcome warmth – though its fixed mounting prevents any actual opening or control. The design’s unconventional approach reduces crucial vertical space in the front compartment, resulting in more clearance at the rear than upfront.
Despite our expectations, the Hino Poncho’s limitations were a far cry from the spaciousness and comfort we had come to associate with Japan’s iconic taxis. While the initial statement appears to be straightforward, it’s actually an understatement, as the Crown offers four distinct variations worldwide, albeit unavailable in Canada. Explore the farthest reaches of the globe, and you’ll discover two distinct iterations of the Sixteenth-generation Crown, nestled on opposite sides of the world.
These two stay forbidden fruit. The Crown Sedan is a luxury limousine designed specifically for chauffeurs, boasting an extended wheelbase. This all-wheel-drive sedan boasts a sleek, aerodynamic profile and a spacious rear compartment featuring larger headrests, adjustable sunshades, and an integrated touchscreen within the center console’s armrest. The Crown SUV, smaller than the Signia, bears a striking resemblance to Japan’s take on the Ferrari Purosangue. Feeling shafted? We also acknowledge this reality, but we have no grounds for complaint. None of the Toyota Avalon, Lexus LS 500, or Genesis G90 models sold to a customer.
In most cases, the interior of the Crown Signature is genuinely the most Lexus-like Toyota we’ve ever encountered? The ride is shrouded in quiet luxury, thanks to the clever combination of acoustic glass and advanced sound-dampening materials that masterfully minimize tire and wind noise to near silence. The dashboard’s subtle blend of supple leather and discreet black plastics elevates the perception of this vehicle, suggesting a marked departure from the ordinary Camry experience – akin to upgrading from no-frills shopping to Loblaws. Starting at just under $60,000, this model stands out with a generous array of amenities, including heated and ventilated front seats, wireless phone charging, premium leather upholstery, and an impressive 11-speaker JBL sound system.
The 12.3-inch touchscreen display offers crisp resolution and intuitive navigation, perfectly situated for easy access. Sturdy and well-crafted switchgear throughout evokes the premium quality of the Mazda CX-50’s top-tier controls. The switches deliver precise registration and suggestions without wavering from their slots, a far cry from the laughable looseness seen in the $90,000 Acura ZDX’s controls. We relish using the innovative gear shifter, its sleek design a direct descendant of the esteemed Lexus LC 500. The compact lever occupies minimal space, preserving the middle console free for generous cupholders and a sleek, vertically aligned wireless charging pad that efficiently utilizes even less area than its flat counterpart – a design quirk that’s akin to placing your phone in an abyss, only to have it vanish from view each time.
The Crown’s raised seating position ensures excellent visibility all around; nonetheless, the JBL speaker protruding from the A-pillar creates a slightly awkward appearance, marginally impeding the left-side view. While it’s true that some high-end features are standard in this vehicle – think keyless entry on all four doors, intelligent rain-sensing wipers, and even rear heated seats – it’s hard to forget our humble beginnings when the trunk remains stubbornly non-power-operated. The infamously finicky auto-brake system persists in unnecessarily resetting itself with each ignition cycle, a constant source of frustration. Moreover, the underwhelming heated seats fall short of expectations, leaving occupants feeling chilled to the bone. Meanwhile, the heating function on the steering wheel remains woefully incomplete, excluding crucial areas such as the 11-, 12-, 1-, and 6-o’clock positions.
The Crown Signia is available in a single trim exclusively: Restricted. The new model leverages Toyota’s tried-and-true hybrid configuration, featuring a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine in tandem with two electric motors, one situated on each axle to provide all-wheel drive capability, and an electronic continuously variable transmission (e-CVT) for a combined output of 236 horsepower. While the Signia does not come equipped with the high-performance 340-hp turbocharged 2.4-liter engine found in the Crown Platinum ‘Crossover’, nor its adaptive suspension or rear-wheel steering features, it still offers a unique driving experience. It seems that something doesn’t noticeably want both of them, but more context would be needed to clarify what exactly is lacking desire.
Compared to its rival, the Subaru Outback, the Toyota Crown Signia boasts superior street presence, exuding a heightened sense of refinement and luxury. While it may lack the rough-around-the-edges charm of an off-roader, this vehicle still exudes a sense of confident sophistication as it navigates urban landscapes with ease, making it an attractive option for those seeking a reliable and economical road trip partner.
Despite languid acceleration and numb steering compromising its efficiency, we were pleasantly surprised by the Crown’s overall performance. Its allure stems from being a reliable alternative offering an eco-friendly, comfortable, and luxurious experience that surpasses the standards of a Camry or RAV4. The journey is delightfully seamless, justifying its reputation without the adaptive suspension, capable of satisfying those seeking to trade in their German luxury sedans for a lower maintenance option while retaining the same ride quality and comfort.
Unfortunately, the 2.5-litre engine exhibits a grating thrum and unpleasant sounds when cold-started or subjected to heavy load conditions, suggesting that additional firewall insulation might bring benefits. It was the incessant whirring of the electrical motors that truly grated on us the most. As we accelerate or brake, the electric motor’s whirring pitch oscillates incessantly, eerily reminiscent of a police siren’s wail, prompting frantic glances in the rearview mirror as if an unseen patrol car is hot on our heels. Although the audio level may need to be adjusted to a certain degree or turned off entirely for its presence to be perceived, the subtle sound remains nonetheless.
While the Signia’s effectiveness is a notable advantage, its larger 21-inch tires and increased weight also compromise its eco-friendliness in comparison to the Crossover. A sophisticated throttle control system, combined with a focus on liberal acceleration and coasting opportunities, surprisingly yielded an impressive 7.5 liters per 100 kilometers, a significant improvement over the 6.5 liters per 100 kilometers we typically achieve in the standard Crown. Operating in temperatures fluctuating narrowly around the freezing point of 0°C, with cabin heaters running at maximum capacity, it’s likely that this contributed to Toyota’s claimed 6.2 L/100km combined rating, which may be more achievable under these conditions. While it may seem that way? On 60 km/h streets, the Crown truly excels when leveraging its electric vehicle (EV) mode for effortless and eco-friendly cruising. Carefully sidestepping the mythical beast’s slumbering form transforms into a tantalizing puzzle that handsomely rewards cleverness, as a deftly executed step leads to a substantial reward in the form of a bulging wallet.
The Crown Signia addresses most of the concerns that arose with the Crossover variant by prioritizing rear-seat headroom and cargo space, further solidifying its luxurious credentials with opulent appointments and an expansive array of amenities. With its rich heritage as Japan’s go-to taxi, The Crown is poised to make a bold entry into Canada’s mainstream market, offering a regal alternative to those seeking an Outback or V60 Cross Country.
2025 Toyota Crown Signia Restricted
End Line Pink
$57,450
$60,335
2,850
4,930/1,880/1,625
1,909 kg
Two electric motors drive this 2.5-litre four-cylinder hybrid vehicle, which is powered by a reliable nickel-metal hydride battery.
236 mixed hp
eCVT
Entrance engine, eAWD
: 7.5
Pirelli Scorpion Winter 2 – 235/45R21
