2024 Toyota Crown Signia Limited

The 2024 Toyota Crown Signia is not your average crossover, nor is it quite a wagon — but it manages to pull off the best qualities of both. It’s the second vehicle in North America to wear the Crown badge, a nameplate that’s long been revered in Japan but relatively new to Canadians. The first Crown returned in 2023 as a high-riding sedan. Now, Toyota is following up with this: a sleek, hybrid-only, all-wheel-drive crossover with wagon-inspired lines and premium aspirations.

In a market oversaturated with me-too SUVs, the Crown Signia dares to be different. It blends the proportions of a long-roof wagon with the all-weather utility of an SUV. It is positioned above the RAV4 and roughly as a replacement for the Venza hybrid, but below the Highlander in Toyota’s lineup. The Signia offers a premium two-row alternative for those who value design, comfort, and efficiency.

It’s sold exclusively in Limited trim in Canada, which means there's no shopping around for options or upgrades. One model, one engine, all the features. It’s a confident move — and one that pays off.

What’s New?

Everything. This is an all-new model for Toyota and for the Crown family in North America.

Underpinning the Signia is Toyota’s familiar TNGA-K platform, shared with the Highlander and Lexus RX. But while the bones are familiar, the design and execution are completely unique. This isn’t just a Highlander in a sleeker outfit.

The powertrain is a dedicated hybrid system using a 2.5-litre engine with Toyota’s fourth-generation Hybrid Synergy Drive. It’s paired with electronic on-demand all-wheel drive. There’s no turbocharger, no plug-in option, and no gasoline-only version.

Toyota is positioning the Signia as a premium flagship for practical-minded buyers who want efficiency and design without making the jump to Lexus. It’s a carefully considered niche — and one Toyota seems keen to own.

Exterior Styling: The Wagon You Didn't Know You Wanted

I’ll say it: this thing looks good. Really good.

The Crown Signia embraces its long-roof proportions with a low, elegant stance. The front end carries Toyota’s latest design language, with thin LED headlamps, a closed-off grille panel, and sculpted lines that give it a clean, futuristic look. The body-coloured panel across the nose avoids the aggressive gaping mouths of many modern SUVs, opting instead for restrained confidence.

Move to the side and the profile reveals just how long and sleek the Signia is. The beltline rises gently toward the rear, ending in a sloped tailgate and a full-width LED light bar. It evokes a bit of Volvo, a bit of Audi, and a lot of Toyota’s own recent design renaissance.

The 21-inch wheels on the Limited trim fill the arches nicely, and black lower cladding gives just enough crossover cred without feeling overdone. It's a design that stands out in a sea of sameness, but does so with grace, not volume.

Cabin Technology and Interior: Quiet Comfort, Japanese Minimalism

The interior of the Crown Signia feels more Lexus than Toyota — and that’s a compliment.

From the moment I opened the door and saw the Saddle Tan leather-trimmed seats, I knew Toyota was going for something special. The warm brown hue adds an upscale, lounge-like feel, contrasting beautifully with the darker dashboard and woodgrain accents. It’s a colour combo I didn’t expect from Toyota, but it works.

The layout is clean and horizontal, with a soft-touch dash, matte wood trim, and a floating centre console. The shifter is a conventional lever — not a rotary dial or push-button setup — which I appreciated for its familiarity.

Front seats are heated, ventilated, and power-adjustable with memory. The rear seats recline and offer impressive legroom. Materials are high quality throughout, and the cabin is whisper-quiet, thanks to acoustic glass and additional insulation under the floor.

Tech-wise, the Signia features a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a matching 12.3-inch centre touchscreen running Toyota’s latest infotainment system. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, and the voice assistant is actually useful — a rarity. There's also a head-up display, a panoramic sunroof, and a digital rearview mirror that proves its worth when the cargo area is packed.

Cargo space is a healthy 691 litres behind the second row, and the power liftgate opens wide. For road trips or Costco runs, it’s as practical as any midsize SUV.

Under the Hood: Hybrid Efficiency with AWD Confidence

The 2024 Crown Signia is powered by a 2.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors, one on each axle. Together, they deliver 240 combined horsepower to all four wheels through Toyota’s e-AWD system.

This is the same hybrid setup found in other Toyota products like the RAV4 Hybrid and Highlander Hybrid, but the tuning here prioritizes smoothness and refinement. There’s no turbocharger, and that’s fine. This drivetrain is about serenity, not speed.

The continuously variable transmission (CVT) does a good job of simulating gear shifts under acceleration, though the engine can get vocal when pushed hard. That said, transitions between electric and gas power are seamless, and the overall driving experience is refined.

Fuel economy is excellent for an AWD vehicle of this size, rated at 6.0 L/100 km in the city, 6.4 on the highway, and 6.2 combined. On a real-world drive that included city errands, highway cruising, and during a run up to Squamish, I averaged just over 6.5 — impressive for a vehicle with this much space and comfort.

This isn't a plug-in hybrid, and it doesn't offer massive electric-only range, but for most Canadian buyers, the simplicity and reliability of this system will be a major draw.

How Does It Drive?

The Crown Signia delivers the kind of composed, mature ride that’s becoming harder to find in today’s SUV market.

Around town, the hybrid system is quiet and confident, gliding away from stoplights in EV mode before the engine kicks in. Steering is light but accurate, perfect for navigating narrow downtown parking structures or ferry loading zones. The turning circle is tighter than I expected for something this long, which makes urban driving more pleasant.

On the highway, the Signia shines. The suspension is tuned for comfort and absorbs expansion joints, potholes, and frost heaves with ease. At 110 km/h, the cabin remains serene — minimal wind noise, no harsh impacts, just a smooth, composed ride.

On twisty roads, the Signia isn’t sporty, but it stays flat and composed. There’s some body roll, but nothing dramatic. It’s a car that prefers a relaxed pace and rewards you with comfort and quiet.

Snow and rain don’t faze it. The e-AWD system shifts power to the rear when necessary, and the drive modes include settings for snow and slippery surfaces. I wouldn’t take it even light off-roading in Stave Lake, but for typical Canadian winters and unpaved cabin roads, it’s more than capable.

My one gripe? I wish the Crown Signia came with rear privacy glass. The expansive windows are great for visibility, but they also create a bit of a fishbowl effect. Tinted rear windows would enhance both privacy and cabin ambiance, especially when parked or driving under bright sunlight.

Additional TechDriven-Approved Features

Toyota didn’t hold back on the features list for the Limited trim, which is the only version offered in Canada. Highlights include:

• Panoramic sunroof with powered sunshade

• Hands-free power liftgate

• JBL 11-speaker premium audio system

• Digital rearview mirror

• Heated and ventilated front seats

• Heated rear seats and Heated steering wheel

• Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 (adaptive cruise, lane trace, auto braking, blind spot monitor, traffic jam assist)

• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

• Remote Connect, Service Connect, and Drive Connect

• Digital Key compatibility

I found the JBL audio system punchy and clear, even at highway speeds. The head-up display was useful in urban stop-and-go traffic, and the digital mirror came in handy when I loaded the rear cargo area to the roof.

Final Thoughts

The 2024 Toyota Crown Signia Limited is one of the most thoughtfully designed vehicles I’ve driven this year.

It’s a confident answer to a real question: what if you don’t need three rows? What if you want all-wheel drive, space, and efficiency — but don’t want a cookie-cutter SUV? The Crown Signia delivers, with style.

It won’t be for everyone. Some may miss the turbocharged punch of competitors, or prefer a more rugged aesthetic. But for buyers looking for quiet comfort, refined design, and impressive fuel economy, the Signia is a compelling new option.

It’s not just a raised wagon. It’s a rolling statement that practicality and premium touches can go hand-in-hand — and that there’s still room in Canada for a vehicle that doesn’t follow the usual script.

5 Key Takeaways

1. Elegant Design: Long-roof styling and premium details help the Crown Signia stand out from the SUV crowd.

2. Refined Interior: Saddle Tan seats and a quiet cabin elevate it above mainstream crossovers.

3. Fuel Efficiency: Delivers 6.2 L/100 km combined thanks to Toyota’s proven hybrid tech.

4. Composed Ride: Tuned for comfort, not speed, with a smooth drive on city streets and highways.

5. Unique Offering: One of the few modern wagons left — and it’s built with Canada in mind.