Crowning yourself as a leader in a particular field might seem a little gauche, but Toyota seems to have no qualms about self-congratulation. The brand’s midsize Camry and compact Corolla reflect Toyota’s healthy sense of confidence, with these two models translating to “crown” in Japanese and Latin, respectively. Returning to the market after a 50-year absence, the latest Toyota Crown Signia for sale drives the message home with no interpreter required.
Based on the same TNGA-K platform that underpins the three-row Highlander and compact RAV4, the Crown Signia replaces the midsize Venza in the Toyota lineup. This might seem like a bit of a like-for-like switch, given that the Crown Signia and Venza occupy the same midsize niche, but the two models differ in a number of important ways. The larger Crown Signia not only offers more passenger space than the discontinued Venza, it also delivers a decidedly more luxurious driving experience with a modern, sophisticated design that includes ample use of premium materials and an eye-catching exterior that immediately differentiates this midsize SUV from the competition.
The new Crown Signia provides all the comfort, safety, and convenience features a driver could ask for and, unlike the Venza, is tow-ready with a maximum capacity of up to 2,700 lbs. On first impression, the Crown Signia almost seems like a Lexus that accidentally had the Toyota badge slapped on it when it left the factory, though it is a bargain when compared to the midsize offerings from Toyota’s luxury offshoot. While the Lexus RX retails for up to $72,000, the Crown Signia rings in at just under $45,000 for the base XLE trim. That’s a little pricer than the Venza it replaces, but it’s still a real bargain when you factor in the iron-clad reliability that’s long been a hallmark of the Toyota brand.
So, let’s compare the new Crown Signia to the outgoing Venza and see how Toyota is stepping up its game to meet the needs of an increasingly discerning crop of crossover customers.
More Power
The 2025 Crown Signia and 2024 Venza might feature an identical hybrid powertrain composed of a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and three electric motors, but the new model offers a little more in the way of performance with 240 hp on offer. Sure, it’s not a huge difference when compared to the Venza’s 219 hp, but it’s an important improvement that helps the larger, heavier Crown Signia keep pace. While the Venza tipped the scales at 3,879 lbs, the new Crown Signia outweighs it by nearly 400 lbs, which can be noticeable when you’re trying to get up to highway speed.
Luckily, Toyota has engineered around this extra heft by squeezing a little more power out of the new Crown Signia, giving it a 7.0-second zero-to-60-mph time compared to the Venza’s 7.6 seconds. It’s far from the sort of edge-of-your-seat driving experience that you might find behind the wheel of one of Toyota’s souped-up sports cars or a premium Lexus model, but the Crown Signia should provide plenty of pep for everyday driving applications.
More Towing
So, what does this extra power mean in terms of real-world driving applications? It significantly ups the new crossover’s utility, for one. While the Venza might have featured the same 2.5-liter engine as the Crown Signia, it wasn’t actually rated for towing. That’s a bit of an oversight in today’s ultra-competitive midsize segment, but the Crown Signia addresses this shortcoming with a 2,700-lb towing capacity.
While not enough to move mountains, this capacity does allow drivers to bring along some lighter cargo for a weekend full of off-the-grid fun. Whether you’re towing a utility trailer, small camper, or some powersports equipment, the Crown Signia’s respectable towing capacity and standard all-wheel drive will allow you to venture into light off-road terrain with confidence.
More Safety
The Crown Signia’s midsize, five-passenger design makes it a great option for those seeking a reliable family vehicle, and the SUV’s long list of modern safety features just sweeten the pot. The 2025 Crown Signia is outfitted with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) that provide invaluable peace of mind every time you buckle in the kids for an afternoon full of errands, appointments, and after-school activities.
Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 (TSS 3.0) comes packed with a long list of standard features like adaptive cruise control that, on many other models, might only be included as optional add-ons. From a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection and lane departure alert with steering assist to lane tracing assist, road sign assist, and automatic high beams, TSS 3.0 marks Toyota’s most advanced ADAS to date.
My favorite new feature would have to be Traffic Jam Assist (TJA). This Level 3 semi-automated driving system gives drivers the opportunity to sit back, relax, and let the Crown Signia handle the braking, accelerating, and steering duties when operating at less than 25 mph, which should come in handy for those frustrating morning commutes.
The Venza’s TSS 2.5+ is still pretty advanced as far as contemporary ADAS features go but lacks some of the newer version’s higher resolution forward-facing camera and more cutting-edge features like emergency steering assist, intersection support, guardrail detection, and motorcycle detection. TSS 3.0 has earned positive reviews from drivers and critics alike with Consumer Reports singling out the system’s capabilities and performance with a 9 out of 10 rating that places the ADAS offering right toward the top of the charts.
More Style
As the newest addition to the Toyota lineup, the Crown Signia sets itself apart with an elegant design that integrates some stylish, up-to-date touches. It all starts on the SUV’s front end, where distinctive horseshoe headlamps and a geometric, monochrome lower grille combine to give the crossover a streamlined look. This is a notable change compared to the second-generation Venza, which was starting to look a little dated by the time it was discontinued.
While the Crown Signia certainly ups the curb appeal, the interior seizes the chance to show off its stuff. Premium materials abound, with handsome Saddle Tan leather upholstery wrapped around the seats, center console, and right side of the dashboard. This design lends the Crown Signia an interesting (if uneven) look, with the front passenger seat almost seeming like its own separate compartment thanks to a leather-wrapped panel that extends from the center console to the glove compartment. It’s a unique approach, to be sure, but we have to give Toyota some points for taking a risk in a crossover segment that’s become altogether too stagnant in terms of interior design.
A panoramic sunroof and front side windows with acoustic glass let in plenty of light without the accompanying road noise, with a dash silencer and sound-absorbing engine cover further enhancing interior tranquility. The base trim comes standard with a heated first row and steering wheel, but the Limited adds ventilated front seats and heated rear seats to the mix.
More Tech
The Crown Signia’s cabin isn’t just more stylish than its Venza predecessor; it’s also more tech-forward with a long list of infotainment and convenience features that go a long way toward justifying its higher price.
Every 2025 model is graced with a 12.3-inch touchscreen display that serves as a one-stop shop for all your infotainment needs. It’s definitely an improvement over the 8.0-inch display found in the Venza, but the Crown Signia’s emphasis on screen time doesn’t stop there. The crossover is also packed with a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster to track all your vital vehicle metrics, plus onboard Wi-Fi, a wireless charging pad, a hands-free liftgate, and a voice assistant feature that’ll allow you to customize your ride without ever taking your hands off of the wheel.
Best of all, these features all come standard, as do Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and a six-speaker stereo system. The Crown Signia’s Limited trim ups the ante with an 11-speaker JBL sound system, as well as a fully digital rearview mirror—but if you really want to experience all the bells and whistles a modern SUV can offer, the Limited Technology Package is a worthwhile investment. This package adds a 360-degree camera and puddle lights, as well as a panoramic view monitor and a host of premium ADAS features like lane change assist, front cross-traffic alert, and front and rear parking assist with automatic braking.
The Marvelous All-New Crown Signia
With the 2025 Crown Signia, Toyota looks to maintain its reign over the crossover market. The brand’s compact RAV4 is easily America’s most popular SUV, with more than 475,000 units sold in 2024 alone, but the Crown Signia looks to bring something new to the table with a luxury-first approach that immediately sets the model apart from the rest of the current Toyota lineup.
The Crown Signia improves on the outgoing Venza in almost every category, offering more power, passenger space, tech, and safety features than the brand’s previous two-row midsize offering. Add in some head-turning style and the ability to tow up to 2,700 lbs, and it’s easy to see why the debut version of the Crown Signia was selected for Car and Driver’s Editor’s Choice List for 2025. Toyota has already proven its luxury potential with the Lexus brand, but the Crown Signia represents an intriguing new middle-ground that seems primed to earn a loyal following from those seeking an unbeatable mix of indulgence and affordability.
