The era of the plug-in hybrid in America feels like it’s finally here. With brands from Ram to Scout announcing range extended hybrids, and brands like BMW and Toyota expanding their plug-in hybrid lineups, something that uses electricity for local commuting but gasoline for long road trips doesn’t just make sense, it also sounds like something the public wants. At the same time, we’re in a little wagonoid boom, with models like the Chevrolet Trax and Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo going longer than they do tall. Perhaps this is why some of us had a brainwave when Toyota unveiled the Crown Signia in 2023. Wouldn’t it be great if the automaker offered it with a plug-in hybrid powertrain?
Well, that’s exactly what Japan’s getting. It’s essentially the same 302-horsepower setup that you get in a plug-in RAV4, with a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter engine up front, a through-the-road e-AWD system, and a battery pack large enough to offer meaningful range. Toyota claims an electric range of 55 miles on the WLTC cycle before the gasoline engine kicks in, and even offers a vehicle-to-home adapter so you can power your campsite or get by in a grid outage using your plug-in hybrid wagon.
Of equal importance, 302 horsepower is a huge step up from the 240 horsepower offered by the standard Crown Signia non-plug-in hybrid, and it ought to shave some serious time off the zero-to-60 mph dash. A RAV4 PHEV with the same powertrain can complete the feat in fewer than six seconds, and there’s something appealing about the prospect of a reasonably quick tall wagon.
As the proverb goes, power is nothing without control, so all that extra plug-in hybrid power is met with some impressive new chassis hardware that punches above its weight class. The JDM plug-in Crown Estate features adaptive dampers that are actually linked to the vehicle’s navigation system so the damping can be proactively adjusted for each upcoming turn. This somewhat active approach sounds fascinating in a relatively mainstream crossover
At the same time, midsize crossovers aren’t generally known for tight turning circles, but this Japanese-market Crown Signia offers rear-wheel steering to virtually stretch and shrink the wheelbase depending on speed. Picture easier U-turns at low speeds, greater stability when changing lanes on the freeway, and increased agility through medium-speed bends.
Oh, and would you just take a look at those front brake calipers used on the plug-in hybrid? Sure, it’s possible most owners will lean on regenerative braking in everyday driving, but just take a look at what seem to be six-piston monoblock units. Not only do they look seriously beefy, they may provide a serious increase in stopping power depending on pad compound.
As for cosmetic tweaks, they’re pretty slim between the markets. There’s a dark blue interior available on the plug-in hybrid for those who want something different from black or caramel, and you can get the JDM model with a little table and a seat squab for the cargo area, offering tailgate seating in the spirit of the Rolls-Royce Cullinan.
If Toyota brought this plug-in hybrid variant of the Crown Signia to America, there’s one big question it would face: Will it step on the toes of the Lexus RX? Perhaps, but considering how few Lexus and Toyota showrooms share a lot, and that powertrain overlap between the Lexus TX and Toyota Grand Highlander exists, why not give it a shot? After all, Toyota’s going big on enthusiast vehicles, and a faster wagon-like thing absolutely seems like an enthusiast vehicle.
Top graphic credit: Toyota
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I really wish that Toyota would bring us the Crown Sport! It’s a Macan-esque crossover and I think the most attractive of the new Crowns. It also has the PHEV drivetrain, but the styling is pretty stunning, especially in this class.
That’s better looking than it has any right to be.
In addition to bringing that over, they need to offer American buyers a badge swap option on the build sheet. No one in their right mind wants to see an upside sombrero where a proper crown emblem should go.
Or rebadge it as a Ferrari Purosangue just as some Crown Sport owners are doing
I like the concept of PHEVs, but in reality they end up so expensive that they don’t make much sense (BZ4X is ~$7k cheaper than the RAV4 Prime). Especially in the 5-passenger crossover/car segment, where people don’t tow much.
That said, if anyone can make them work, it’s Toyota.
My main dig on the PHEV Rav4 is it sounds HORRENDOUS when you give it the beans… Assume NVH would be better in this, but still. That said, the handful of these ive seen on the road here in the states, man they are good looking cars.
What I really want them to bring over is the Crown Sport. It looks like a mini Purosangue (actually, unlike the CX-30 meme that has been so overused).
It looks incredibly good and it’s available with a 300+hp PHEV powertrain.
These are quite striking in real life. There was a bronze one sitting on the lot when I was getting the Kona serviced and it really stood out. The proportions are just right as well. Toyota can market it as a crossover all they’d like since I’m sure it helps them sell it but make no mistake: this is a luxury wagon without the luxury badge.
I admire the Crown sedan for how unapologetically weird it is but I’m honestly not sure why you’d choose it over this since they’re priced similarly. I’m actually considering a Signia as an option for when I need a bigger car in the next few years. Yeah, the heart wants a Land Cruiser/4Runner or the new Passport, but if I want to be honest with myself (BIG if) this is probably a better tool for the jobs I’ll actually use my car for.
Anyway, bring on the PHEV! I’d buy one. The only real gripe I see with these is that they’re leisurely and not particularly fun to drive. An extra 60 horsepower and however many pound feet of torque would deal with that complaint pretty well…not to mention Toyota does this cool thing with their PHEV powertrains that I wish other manufacturers would do-they are nearly as efficient as their traditional hybrids when operating in their hybrid modes.
I struggle to see the point of a PHEV if it isn’t much more efficient than its gas counterpart when it’s operating as a hybrid. The Jeep 4XEs and the Mazda CX70/90 are both offenders. Anyway we live in the city but frequently do a 275 mile road trip (one way) to see my wife’s family. It would nice to have efficiency benefits in both of those situations rather than just one.
So yeah, this rules…but if you want a real taste of forbidden fruit look up the JDM Crown Sport. It’s this same powertrain in a lifted hatchback. I frequently think about them but know deep down they’ll never come here….although apparently we might be be getting the Lexus GR Corolla (LBX Morizo) and the base versions here, so that’ll probably make up for it.
“Will it step on the toes of the Lexus RX?”
Just sell all its variants in NA as the next RX, and the question goes away. I think it would sell well in that demo.
Haven’t seen a single Crown Signia out in the wild yet. I know it’s a low-volume car for Toyota but to see ZERO vs. the two Fisker Ocean’s I’ve seen seems odd.
I live in a rural town under 10k people and I have seen two. And an electric Hummer. Go figure.
Blue interior… man that looks nice. Which is why it will never make it here.
I’ve seen several of the Crown Signias here in the States, and I agree, they look SOOOO much better than the funky sedan.
Wife wants a third row in the next car, otherwise, this would be it.
I too have seen the first few of these in the wild. Compared to the ungainly sedan, this is reserved and looks like a premium product. I wasn’t thinking about Toyota when I saw it until I saw the badge. As a previous gas, diesel, phev and now full EV owner, this is something that could pull me back from an EV – but that isn’t happening because I haven’t encountered an instance so far in my 13k miles / 6 months of ownership of my Model Y Performance that has made me second guess it.
Plus ridding yourself of the Tesla isn’t going to be easy or profitable right now.
I can see them offering both, but also could see Toyota dropping the RAV4 PHEV in favor of the Crown Signia PHEV. It can carry the price tag better, and they are making the Crown sort of a flagship line, so having the more advanced powertrain dedicated there seems to make sense.
Would a RAV4 PHEV buyer be equally satisfied with the Crown over the RAV? I tend to think yes, but I dunno. Plus H/K offers PHEVs of Tucson, Sportage, and Sorento, so does it make more sense to compete directly or offer something more unique?
Lexus also has the NX PHEV, but I think the two brands are viewed as separate enough that the buyer of the Lexus is willing to spend more for the image and brand experience. The non-PHEV NX is already priced right on top of the Crown Signia XLE, and the Limited starts at the RX price, so they already have the overlap.
I saw one of these wagons in the wild the first time the other day, and I absolutely love it. It’s the only new Toyota I’d actually be excited to own.
I’ll be honest, I’ve only seen about 5 Crowns since they came out, and all of them were the weird sedan. I only saw the first Signia yesterday (remember how we were all talking about Toyota and their inventory problems?).
I
lowkeydeadbolt liked it. Reminds of when the first Venza was released. It’s at least interesting and different, if just a bit. And it absolutely needs to be a PHEV because if there’s anything I know about Toyota, I think I’ll pay $20k extra and wait 2 years if it means I can get a slightly better version of something that’s sitting on the dealer lot!Sorry, turned the snark up to 11 there. I like it. More PHEVs, Yota!
Yeah I’ve only seen one Signia as well, and I was disappointed by how crossover it looked vs wagon. I was hoping it was more V60 than XC60, but it is still appealing. Especially as a PHEV with RWS and adjustable dampers! This thing sounds amazing! Even if I do wish the roofline was a couple inches lower and maybe that the whole car sat at least an inch closer to the ground.
Yeah, a little lower and longer would be appreciated in my world, too. As much as crossovers look a lot like wagons (cubic footage on paper), living with them both in real life, most of my cargo is longer/wider and doesn’t like to be stacked up high just to achieve the same amount of storage.
Exactly. And wagons are just sexier. I drove a 17ish Rav4 most of last week, and it’s not bad, but it could be so much better if 2 inches lower, and 3-4 longer! I also do enough home repair that the ability to hold a 4×8 is a massive bonus. Not sure if the new one can, but the Prius used to be able to do that. You know what can’t? Nearly any small-midsize crossover. Boo!
Have you priced PHEVs that Lexus sells? Ouch.