TOYOTA Crown SUV Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

Toyota expanded its lineup in 2023 with the introduction of the Crown Signia, an SUV based on the same platform as the Crown sedan introduced in 2022 and available with only one engine option.

Even if it already had a separate brand for premium and luxurious products, Toyota never stopped creating vehicles with an upscale flavor for its brand’s fans. Moreover, the Crown nameplate was used in Japan for the rich and famous people, including the emperor himself. The first generation of the Crown appeared in 1955, and Toyota used this nameplate for its most luxurious vehicles, but still, the 2025 Crown Signia was the first crossover version of it. While it wasn’t a competitor for other luxurious high-riders, it was positioned above the Rav4 in terms of features and amenities.

Following the same design language as the Crown sedan, the Signia version came with similar-looking C-shaped headlights that flanked a gap above the bumper. Underneath it, the main grille sported a body-colored rhomboidal design. This one was flanked by a set of tall and narrow side scoops that housed the round fog lamps. In the apron, Toyota added a third cooling area and a splitter at the bottom.

From its profile, the Crown Signia featured the same short front overhang as its sedan sibling but with larger wheel arches and black trims around them. The door panels were slightly sculptured in an upward scheme towards the rear wheels and an ascending waistline that started from the hood all the way to the D-pillar and ended with an up-kick behind the rearmost set of windows. A racked-forward tailgate that sported a roof spoiler completed the sporty yet elegant profile of the vehicle. Finally, at the back, Toyota installed slim LED taillights connected across the tailgate, while the lower bumper concealed the exhaust.

Inside, customers found a leather-wrapped interior with a minimalist design for the dashboard. Toyota installed a center console between the front seats with a tiny shifter for the gear selector, two cup holders, and an armrest with a dual opening system that revealed a storage compartment underneath it. Atop the dashboard, the automaker placed a digital instrument panel for the driver and a 12.3” touchscreen for the Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment unit. For the rear passengers, the car manufacturer installed a bench wide enough to host three passengers. However, the hump in the middle of the floor limited the legroom for the middle-seated occupant.

The Crown Signia came with just one powertrain option, a 2.5-liter inline-four engine, and two electric motors for a total output of 243 hp (246 PS). Power to the front was delivered via an eCVT, while an electric motor delivered extra traction when needed. This system, known as Toyota Electronic On-Demand All-Wheel Drive, was standard for all Crown Signia’s grades.

Toyota revolutionized the Crown nameplate with the introduction of the 2023 model year in 2022 and brought it back into the U.S. after 50 years.

Toyopet was the first Crown sold by Toyota in the U.S. from the late '50s until 1972. Still, it continued to use the nameplate for its most luxurious vehicles in Japan. But fast-forward half of the century, and the Crown nameplate returned as a modern vehicle, with a half-SUV presence and plenty of standard features.

Built on top of Toyota's global architecture, the GA-K platform, the Crown impressed with its unusual height for a luxury sedan. Its front fascia featured a wide lower mesh grille flanked by two air intakes to cool the brakes. A lower lip spoiler gave the car a sportier look, even though Toyota didn't offer the Crown as a sports sedan. The slim LED headlights fitted as standard, and the waved beltline created a strong image for the vehicle. At the back, the trunk opened wide, albeit it was not that tall since it didn't open together with the rear windscreen.

Toyota offered an elegant yet functional interior with a standard eight-way adjustable driver's seat. Moreover, both front bucket seats came equipped with heating. The dashboard was designed in a minimalist concept, with a clear horizontal line. Above it were the instrument panel and the 12.3" infotainment touchscreen placed under the same glass, offering the illusion of a seamless horizontal screen. In the back, there was enough room for two passengers on the split-folding (60/40) bench.

The carmaker offered the Crown a choice of two hybrid powertrains named HYBRID MAX, with gasoline-powered engines of 2.4 and 2.5-liter, respectively. Power to the front or in all corners via either a six-speed automatic or an electronically-controlled CVT.