The 2025 Toyota Crown Signia, a midsize five-seat hybrid, is neither the largest nor the fanciest set of wheels in the automaker’s gas-electric stable. But it just might fit the bill for those who find the full-size Sequoia or midsize Grand Highlander hybrids too big or too pricey and the RAV4 and outgoing Venza hybrids too small or unpolished.
Signia is a tall, wagon-like version of the Crown sedan that debuted in 2023 . It shares most of its parts with that model but starts at almost $45,000, about $4,000 more than the base Crown sedan. There won’t be a turbocharged performance-oriented Signia version like the top-of-the-line Crown Platinum sedan, at least not for the 2025 model year. Toyota calls it an SUV, but we think the Crown Signia is more wagon-like albeit with a slightly raised stance. It’s pricier than most of its likeliest competitors but offers a roomy cabin, good looks, and great fuel efficiency in exchange.
With its standard electronic all-wheel drive, we expect the Crown Signia to compete against the slightly smaller Subaru Outback as well as various trim levels of other midsize SUVs, including the Kia Sorento and Honda Passport. It may be a bit pricier than those, but as a hybrid it also is a lot more fuel-efficient, which could make up for the price difference over time.
It isn’t terribly powerful, but we found the highly efficient Signia to be a comfortable, nicely equipped, mostly quiet, and quite competent daily driver and long-distance cruiser that’s up to most tasks you’d care to throw at it.
The base Crown Signia XLE starts at $45,040 including Toyota’s $1,450 destination fee. It uses the fourth generation of Toyota’s hybrid drive system, configured for electronic on-demand four-wheel drive. Standard equipment includes fabric and imitation-leather upholstery, heated and ventilated eight-way power-adjustable front seats, a heated leather steering wheel, leather shift knob, two-zone climate control, a heated and flat-folding 60/40-split rear seat, and a customizable 12.3-inch driver’s information screen. Also standard are 19-inch alloy wheels and LED headlights, running light, and taillights.
Inside, the dash is dominated by a pair of 12.3-inch screens like Kia and Hyundai EVs, except not under a single pane of glass. There’s a multi-configurable digital driver’s information screen to the left along with a digital touchscreen for the infotainment system that dominates the center of the upper dash. Among the model’s other standard electronics is a six-speaker audio system, wireless phone charging, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and five USB ports. Toyota’s Safety Sense 3.0 package of safety and driver assist is also standard along with power-folding exterior mirrors with turn signal and blind spot warning lights, and a kick sensor (hands-free) power liftgate.
The Limited starts at $49,440 with destination fee and builds on the XLE with 21-inch alloy wheels, leather upholstery, driver’s seat memory settings, a digital rearview mirror, rain-sensing windshield wipers, a panoramic glass roof, and an 11-speaker JBL audio system. Unlike some new Toyotas, the Crown Signia won’t have a two-tone paint option among its five exterior color choices. Standard exterior colors are black and dark gray. The others – red, white, and bronze – are $425 options. The Crown Signia’s two interior color choices are tan and black.
For an additional $1,865, the Limited can be upgraded with an optional Advanced Technology Package that adds to the standard safety and driver assist systems with front cross-traffic alert, lane change assist, and front and rear parking assist with automatic braking. Traffic jam assist is included in the package with a subscription to Toyota’s Drive Connect suite of connected car services. Also included are a panoramic 360-degree camera system with overhead and curb views, and power-folding exterior side mirrors with puddle lights and automatic tilt-down when the transmission is shifted into reverse.
The Crown Signia gets the basic Toyota HEV all-wheel-drive system with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine and two small electric motors, one for each axle. It isn’t intended to be a performance vehicle so suspension is tuned for comfort, making the Crown Signia more at home cruising on the open highway than being pushed on twisty roads. It is a fairly well-balanced vehicle, though and handles mountain roads with aplomb – and little bothersome body roll – until pushed to the limits of its all-season tires. There are three driver-selectable drive modes including Normal, Eco, and Sport, though there’s little difference in handling no matter the mode. Sport provides quicker throttle response while Eco slows it down and puts some limits on climate control system output to improve fuel efficiency.
The 240 horsepower hybrid system delivers 178 lb-ft torque from the gas engine with the electric motors providing additional torque – up to 134 lb-ft to the front wheels and 89 lb-ft to the rear. On-demand all-wheel drive is biased toward front-wheel drive, so the rear motor powers the rear wheels only when extra oomph or traction is needed. Among likely competitors, only the V-6 powered Honda Passport offers more horsepower.
The Signia powertrain provides okay, but not outstanding, grunt for passing and climbing hills and can manage a Toyota-estimated 0-60 mph sprint time of 7.1 seconds on flat ground. That’s almost half a second quicker than Toyota claims for the sedan with the same powertrain and may just reflect a real-world adjustment since some testers have timed the sedan at 7.2 seconds.
We were able to experience a Crown Signia Limited on a recent jaunt that combined freeways, country roads. and some steep mountain twisties. Along the way we found it to be quiet and comfortable for the most part, though it can get a bit loud inside when the gas engine has to work hard at peak demand and a buzzy whine permeates the otherwise hushed cabin. We missed the adaptive suspension that is standard in the Crown sedan’s Platinum trim, but overall found the ride quality to be good except over badly potholed asphalt. Braking is nicely linear without the mushiness sometimes felt in hybrids. Steering is responsive but could be a little quicker and, as with many electrically assisted setups, doesn’t relay a ton of road info to the driver.
In our 235 mile Southern California drive we achieved an overall 36 mpg in a Signia Limited without babying the throttle. Official EPA estimates for the model come in at 39 city/37 highway mpg, or 38 mpg combined.
Competitively, the Crown Signia’s fuel efficiency looks to be near the top of the class, trailing only the 2024 Toyota Venza’s 39 mpg combined rating. The all-wheel drive Kia Sorento hybrid is rated at 34 mpg combined, the Subaru Outback at 29 mpg combined, and the Honda Passport gets just 21 mpg combined. The Honda and Subaru are not available as hybrids.
The 2025 Toyota Crown Signia’s cabin mirrors that of the Crown sedan, although the SUV’s 60/40-split rear seats are more bench-like than the sedan’s back seat. Overall, the Crown Signia offers a more upscale version of the standard Toyota interior, bordering on Lexus-like. It is roomy, comfortable, and quiet except when the 2.5-liter gas engine is winding up.
Crown Signia is as much as five inches longer than its likely competitors and has a longer wheelbase, which tends to soften the ride and create more interior space. But it is also lower and narrower than its competitors, negating the spatial benefits of the longer wheelbase. While fairly roomy in the second row, the Signia has the least rear head and legroom of the competitive set. Up front, it beats both the Honda Passport and Kia Sorento in front legroom but trails the segment-leading Subaru Outback. It also has the least front headroom of the pack. All of those measurements except rear legroom, though, are within 1.5 inches from model to model.
Out back, the cargo floor measures a full 6.5 feet in length when the rear seatbacks are folded flat. With the seats up, total cargo bay capacity is 25.8 cubic feet. Drop the rear seats and that swells to 68.6 cubic feet. Either way, it is the least cargo capacity among competitors. The Signia is also rated to tow up to 2,700 pounds – think small utility trailer. But that, too, is less than most of its all-wheel-drive competitors provide. The Honda Passport is top of class at up to 5,000 pounds, the all-wheel-drive Sorento hybrid is rated at up to 4,500 pounds, and the Subaru Outback is rated at 2,700 to 3,500 pounds.
Bottom line: The new 2025 Toyota Crown Signia hybrid SUV should appeal to drivers who prefer wagon- or crossover-like functionality wrapped in a stylish, upscale and fuel-efficient package.
This was originally published on thegreencarguy.com. Author John O'Dell is a distinguished career journalist and has a been an automotive writer, editor, and analyst specializing in alternative vehicles and fuels for over two decades.
Our Prius Prime long-term test car was plugged in and ready for its usual around-town electric car duty, something it did with ease every day with its up to 44 mile range exclusively on batteries. It had been a while since we had to go beyond those all-electric miles and take advantage of the Prime’s long-range capabilities as a hybrid. Yep. A road trip was calling.
This time we’re heading out from Green Car Journal’s headquarters in San Luis Obispo on California’s Central Coast, up the Cuesta Grade, and through bucolic Paso Robles, one of the most important wine regions in California. But it isn’t wine we’re focused on this trip so we continue northbound amid wide-open countryside dotted with the occasional small city beckoning those needing fuel or food.
Our destination 145 miles ahead is the picturesque Monterey Peninsula, home of charming Carmel-by-the Sea, the laid-back Carmel Valley, and historic Monterey with its Fisherman’s Wharf and Cannery Row of Steinbeck lore. This is an area steeped in history that beckons one to experience and explore, with one of its highlights the dramatic 17 Mile Drive that winds along some of the most spectacular coastline on the planet. It’s no wonder that the Monterey Peninsula is an incredibly popular tourist destination that attracts visitors from all over the world.
Drawing our attention as auto enthusiasts is that the peninsula is the home of the annual Monterey Car Week, Pebble Beach Concourse de Elegance, The Quail Motorsport Gathering, and the Monterey Motorsports Reunion historic car races at nearby Raceway Laguna Seca. While this wasn’t our focus now, visiting Monterey in August provides some of the best auto enthusiast immersions possible anywhere. Beyond the week's many official gatherings, you'll find automotive eye candy in abundance plying the streets of Carmel-by-the-Sea and Cannery Row as classics and exotics show their stuff amid everyday life.
As the miles rolled by during our drive, we couldn't help but appreciate the accommodating features of our Prius Prime and how ideal it is for this, or really any, road trip. There were four of us this time – three adults and a child – with our Prius loaded with the gear and trappings required for a fun weekend getaway. As we made our way northbound it wasn’t lost on us that these days, a great majority of trips, local and long distance, are made in SUVs of one stripe or another. We've done plenty of that and the sheer number of these on the road during our drive illustrated their popularity. But we have a great interest in efficiency and the capabilities that family sedans and hatchbacks with a smaller footprint continue to bring to the highway. The Prius Prime is a poster child of this efficiency and functionality.
Speaking of efficiency, one can't help but be impressed with how frugal this Toyota plug-in hybrid is with a gallon of gas. While numbers can vary depending on speed, terrain, and driving style, it's a given that more often than not we're seeing 50-plus mpg displayed on our instrument panel, including on this trip. That's a testiment to the Prius Prime's newest-generation Hybrid Synergy Drive. This powertrain combines a 2.0-liter engine, 151 horsepower motor-generator, and 13 kWh battery pack to not only deliver this high level of efficiency, but welcome performance as well with its overall 220 horsepower. While we appreciate the ability to plug-in during travels to enable a degree of all-electric driving at an EPA rated 127 MPGe, we only did that before leaving home and upon our return from this quick weekend journey.
On our list of high points for this trip was stopping by Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo, also known as Carmel Mission, in Carmel Valley. The second of 21 missions established from 1769 to 1823 by Franciscan missionaries led by Padre Junipero Serra, the mission is fully restored and an important touchstone in the region’s history. We’ve traveled to all 21 missions in the California Mission System over the years and a stop at Carmel Mission was a must during this trip.
No trip to the Monterey Peninsula is complete without spending time exploring the many distinctive shops and eateries in quaint Carmel-by-the-Sea. There's no doubt this is an art town given the sheer number of art galleries present along its charming streets. Pastries? Sure. Unique and hand-made gifts? Absolutely, at an endless sea of shops. And dining experiences? There's no shortage to choose from, but you won't want to miss breakfast at Village Corner California Bistro or lunch at Clint Eastwood's Hog's Breath Inn.
There are so many activities to experience here that time isn’t on your side. A weekend getaway is always fun but additional days afford the luxury of taking in all the area has to offer. No matter how long a trip to this Central Coast jewel, you can't come to the Monterey Peninsula without a visit to the truly impressive Monterey Bay Aquarium, located on Cannery Row. That's how it was with us considering we had a five year-old in tow who patiently tagged along during our shopping in Carmel-by-the-Sea, visits to historic sites, and explorations of other points of interest. A visit here is truly a treat for kids and adults alike and a great way to cap off a Monterey Bay vacation.
There was a time when environmental leadership in the auto industry was a scarce commodity. Seventeen years ago, when Green Car Journal announced its first Green Car of the Year® in Los Angeles, it was difficult to identify more than a few dozen truly worthy vehicles to be considered for the honor. Today it is a formidable challenge in a different way. Now, analyzing the expansive field of green cars that champion greater environmental performance can be downright mind numbing, along with the process of honing the list down to a manageable number of candidates for each of our Green Car Awards™.
Still, this is a great problem to have and we’re up to the challenge. In fact, we celebrate the difficult and time-consuming process. This sheer number of greener models means that all of us benefit from the ability to buy and drive an increasing number of vehicles that champion a lighter impact on the environment.
As finalists are evaluated during the judging process, Green Car Journal weighs an array of important criteria such as environmental achievement, cost, value, safety, performance, functionality, and availability. These may vary from one award category to another. For instance, cost is less of a factor in Luxury Green Car of the Year™; greater driving range may not be as critical in Urban Green Car of the Year™; and immediate availability is less of an issue for Commercial Green Car of the Year™, since commercial fleets tend to plan well ahead and are used to scheduled batch builds of specialized vehicles. Some criteria take on more importance, such as electric driving range in most categories where EVs are considered; family friendliness in awards where passenger needs or capacity are important; and tow ratings and realistic long-distance towing and hauling capabilities in the case of Green Truck of the Year™.
There are more complex issues at play today. We’ve seen order banks for some new or popular pickups like the Ford F-150 Lightning and Ford Maverick suddenly close for the model year, which means consumers are no longer able to order one, at least at this time. Since price is an important consideration for most award categories, when we see sudden price hikes in the thousands of dollars, we also take notice. Then there’s the issue of supply chain disruptions and materials shortages that can delay a model’s expected availability. We take all of this into account and dive deep to ensure we’re as up to speed as possible to avoid potential surprises.
Green Car Journal’s Green Car Awards™ program has evolved over the years, most notably with the addition of more award categories to reflect the ever changing and expanding world of environmentally positive vehicles. Plus, along with the ‘greenest’ vehicles honored by the 2023 Green Car Awards™ program, Green Car Journal now recognizes the crucial roles that infrastructure and technology play in enabling a more sustainable driving future.
Let's get to it. Here are the winners of Green Car Journal’s prestigious 2023 Green Car Awards™:
TOYOTA CROWN – The Crown is Toyota's sophisticated new flagship that champions high fuel economy, lower carbon emissions, and appealing style. The five-passenger sedan features a stylish and high tech cabin designed to offer a premium feel. It’s powered by a 2.5-liter THS hybrid estimated to deliver 38 combined mpg, or a more powerful 2.4-liter turbocharged HYBRID MAX powerplant with 340 horsepower. On-demand all-wheel drive is standard.
Finalists for Green Car Journal’s legacy award included the Chevrolet Bolt EUV, Nissan Ariya, Toyota bZ4X, Toyota Crown, and Volkswagen ID.4.
CADILLAC LYRIQ – Featuring upscale styling and a premium theme, the Lyriq is Cadillac’s first all-electric vehicle that’s offered in single or dual motor versions with rear- or all-wheel drive. At a base price of $62,990, the Lyriq features an impressive 312 mile driving range. Satisfying performance is delivered by 340 horsepower in the single motor variant and 500 horsepower in the dual motor version.
Among this award’s finalists were the Cadillac Lyriq, Genesis GV60, Lexus RX, Mercedes-Benz EQB, and Polestar 2.
MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER PHEV – Last year’s introduction of the all-new Mitsubishi Outlander made waves with its more dynamic styling and upscale features. Now the next-generation Outlander PHEV has joined the lineup. Featuring standard all-wheel drive, the twin motor plug-in hybrid SUV now features significantly greater battery electric range of 38 miles and 420 miles overall, plus the addition of three-row seating that was unavailable in the previous generation Outlander PHEV.
Finalists included the Kia Sportage, Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid, Toyota Sienna, and Volvo XC40.
RAM 1500 –The RAM 1500 is a model of versatility and functionality that provides pickup buyers loads of choices. It’s available in Quad Cab and Crew Cab configurations, offers two pickup box lengths, two- or four-wheel drive, and diverse power options. These include two hybrids – a 3.6-liter eTorque V-6 and 5.7-liter eTorque HEMI V-8 – plus a 3.0-liter EcoDiesel and 6.2-liter supercharged V-8. RAM can carry payloads up to 2300 pounds tow trailers up to 12,750 pounds.
Finalists considered for this award were the Ford F-150 Lightning, Ford Maverick, Hyundai Santa Cruz, RAM 1500, and Toyota Tundra.
FISKER OCEAN – The all-electric Fisker Ocean SUV features an appealing and sporty design enhanced by an attractive and uncluttered high-tech interior. It’s available in three versions with a driving range of 250 to 350 miles. Beyond its zero-emission electric drive, Fisker is committed to making the Ocean a model of sustainability with over 110 pounds of recycled materials used in its construction, including crushed carbon fiber and plastics from bottles and fishing nets.
Finalists for this award were the Audi Q4 e-tron, Fisker Ocean, Honda CR-V, Kia EV6, and Subaru Solterra.
FORD F-150 LIGHTNING PRO – The F-150 Lightning PRO available to fleets offers 240 to 320 miles of all electric range, depending on battery pack, with a payload capacity up to 2235 pounds. Towing capability up to 10,000 pounds is ideal for urban and regional applications where long-distance towing is not required, since towing can significantly reduce electric range. It’s available with Pro Power Onboard outlets for power at job sites. A Special Services Vehicle variant is made for non-pursuit police department applications.
Finalists for the award were the Brightdrop EV600, Ford E-Transit, Ford F-150 Lightning PRO, Rivian Delivery Van, and Via Motors Chassis Cab.
MINI COOPER SE ELECTRIC – The fully electric MINI Cooper SE carries on the tradition of the MINI as a diminutive two-door hardtop with a fun-to-drive nature and go-kart handling, adding the important distinction of zero-emission operation. The Cooper SE Electric is an ideal vehicle for urban environments, offering a small physical footprint, easy maneuverability, and an electric driving range of 114 miles between charges.
Finalists included the BMW X1, Chevrolet Bolt, Kia Niro, MINI Cooper SE Electric, and Nissan Versa.
JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 4XE – The Grand Cherokee 4xe offers all the outstanding features of Jeep’s conventional SUV with the addition of plug-in hybrid capability. It’s powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four cylinder engine and two electric motors delivering a total of 375 horsepower. This Trail Rated Jeep features 25 miles of zero-emission on- and off-road driving and a combined 470 miles of range, can tow up to 6,000 pounds, and ford up to 24 inches of water since all high-volt electronics are sealed and waterproof.
Vying for this award were the RAM 1500 eTorque, Ford F-150 Lightning, Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, Jeep Wrangler 4xe, and Rivian R1T.
FREEWIRE TECHNOLOGIES BOOST CHARGER – Freewire Technologies’ Boost Charger integrates lithium-ion battery storage to eliminate the need for expensive electrical service upgrades at gas stations adding EV fast charging. Phillips 66 has installed a Boost Charger at a station near its Houston headquarters and plans to leverage its network of 7,000 Phillips 66, Conoco, and 76 branded sites with additional Boost Chargers.
Finalists included Clean Energy Fuels RNG Stations, EVgo Autocharge+, Electrify America Megawatt Energy Storage, Freewire Boost Charger, and SparkCharge Roadie.
LI-CYCLE SPOKE & HUB TECHNOLOGIES – Li-Cycle’s Spoke & Hub system recycles end-of-life lithium-ion battery packs without requiring dismantling. Batteries undergo a submerged shredding process at regional Spoke facilities in the U.S., Canada, and Europe that produces no wastewater, with the output a black mass consisting of critical metals including lithium, cobalt, and nickel. A centralized Hub facility then processes the black mass and creates battery grade materials for reuse.
Finalists considered for this award were BMW eDrive Zones, ConnectDER, Ford Home Integration System, GM Hydrotec Fuel Cell Power Cubes, and Li-Cycle Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling.
Rising above a substantial field of ‘green’ competitors to become a Green Car Awards™ candidate is a noteworthy achievement in itself. To honor these vehicles, all finalists considered in a Green Car Awards™ category are recognized for their commendable environmental achievement with Green Car Journal’s 2023 Green Car Product of Excellence™.