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 like it I think,but it is basically the same as the rav 4/a-cross. I wonder why they didn’t size it more like the id7/ a6 e-tron whatever instead?
I would like this, but the regular hybrid is a bit outside my budget new. Now we’ll see how depreciation treats it.
The regular hybrid Crown Signia is one of the very few current US-market Toyota products that pique my interest. I’m not about to go buy one any time soon since a) I don’t need a new car, and b) they MSRP for close to $50K. Still, it seems like a nice car for me, a guy closing in on his sixties.
I wonder how much more the plug-in version would cost if they brought it stateside… dunno how many buyers are going to be OK dropping (what could be close to) $60K on something with a Toyota badge. With that reality, Toyota might just have to slap an ugly Lexus face on it and sell it there.
That dark blue interior looks like a nice relaxing place to spend time. 🙂
Toyota PHEV’s were a fantastic deal when the $7500.00 tax credit was available now that its gone not a good deal at all.
I recently test drove a Signia limited and loved everything about it *except* the acceleration. It felt strained and buzzy when trying to get it up to highway speed. If the plug-in was offered it would have surely ended up in my garage (assuming the price wasn’t something significantly stupid high).
I love the idea, but based on the pricing for the RAV4 Prime, NX, RX PHEVs, this thing would be $60k+.
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.
I know right??
There is an angle, straight from the side where its FWD proportions show a bit too much, a PHEV version of that would probably me my top vehicle choice right now, especially if it’s driving dynamics match its looks (which I don’t know!).
That looks might be another model taking advantage of Mazda’s red.
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.
The only thing I’d choose the regular crown over the signia is the turbo/traditional auto box set-up otherwise I’d go with that wagon practicality because everything about it looks so good.
I feel like it would be an engineering faux pas if that powertrain didn’t fit in the Signia. Maybe we’ll see it in the future, although with the Crown sedan it pushes the price tag into uncomfortable territory. I’m fine with spending high 40s money on a car with a regular badge but once you’re at $55,000+ I’d have a hard time not choosing a comparable Lexus.
The fault with the CX-90 PHEV is that the standard CX-90 is a MHEV. If the standard model was a pure ICE the PHEV would be more impressive.
The MHEV gets fantastic gas mileage compared to all the pure ICE offerings in that class too. With the base output it’s 24/28 and going to the high output only sacrifices one MPG city and gets the same highway mileage. That’s obviously not going to match the traditional hybrids like the Highlander or Santa Fe/Sorrento but it’s way better than a Pilot, one of the Palluride twins, an Explorer, etc.
I agree, I think they kind of played themselves a bit. 25 miles of EV range isn’t all that much, and if your commute/usual trips exceed that there’s not really a compelling reason to go for the PHEV, especially with the massive price premium it comes with. When operating as a hybrid its mileage is essentially the same as the straight 6s.
My wife wants a CX90 and finds PHEVs compelling but when I really crunch the numbers and think about our use case I’m just not sure that I can justify the $5,000+ price premium a comparably equipped PHEV one commands compared to the straight 6. The PHEV has also had way more issues and receives much less favorable reviews.
I guess it would be nice in a “we’re doing our part to reduce our carbon footprint” way but we’d be paying a hefty price for a clearer conscience. The hybrid Highlander would obviously be more efficient but good fucking luck getting your hands on one. Most in our area sell before they hit lots and due to Toyota’s stupid allocation system and their shitty dealerships almost all of them are the fully loaded Platinum trim…and I think paying $55,000+ for a Highlander is insane. It’s an aggressively mid car, it just happens to get great mileage and be the right size.
Anyway, we could go to any Mazda dealership in the area and drive out in a Sport trim MHEV CX90 with full leather, captain’s chairs, and the upgraded Bose audio system for like $45-47,000. It’s a simply ridiculous amount of car for that price.
We just bought a MHEV CX90 last month. In premium plus trim, it has all the bells and whistles you could want and is finished with fantastic materials. Everything about the interior feels quality, it reminds me of my old Lexus IS. The inline 6 is a great engine, I could go on and on with praise about it.
I will point out that the vehicles 0-60 stats don’t give an actual picture of the vehicles acceleration. Mazda is limiting the torque in 1st and 2nd gear (I don’t blame them when the lower hp model has 332 tq + 113 tq from the electric motor). From a roll, the vehicle really pulls. I believe it’s Motortrend who has a video where it’s neck and neck with a B58 X5 and the Mercedes competitor in a roll race. It’s the first car my wife has owned, that I grab the keys to on the weekend for errands.
We looked at all the typical competitors as well as a lightly used Q7. Nothing else at the same price point was at the same level of the CX90 in terms of fit/finish and the driving experience. It’s a much more premium vehicle than it’s competitors to put it plainly. My wife and I both agree that the CX90 is much more like a Q7 than it is like an Explorer, Palisade, etc.
We originally wanted the PHEV, but after running the numbers, buying the PHEV over the MHEV just didn’t make sense. That was before considering the issues that model has had.
Thanks for your input! It’s definitely at the top of our list
Yeah, the CX-90 is the “mid-price” choice for my wife when her Durango dies, and we have no intention of spending that kind of money for a 4-cylinder engine, PHEV or no.
“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.
YMMV
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.
That last rear-3/4 gives me some some Volvo V60 vibes. This PHEV isn’t quite the overkill of the 455-hp Polestar version of the V60, but that was discontinued for 2025 anyway.
A more reliable, cheaper but still premium looking/feeling wagon-ish crossover makes for a pretty damn compelling daily driver.
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.