Update: ‘More Stylish Exterior,’ ‘Better Fuel Economy,’ ‘Lower Price,’ and ‘Future Of The Highlander’ updated.
When I first got to see the Toyota Crown Signia, I felt that it was a bold choice for the U.S. where flatter and squarer SUV designs are increasingly dominant. And while it isn’t a direct replacement for the now-discontinued Toyota Venza, the Crown Signia’s wagon-like body and well-designed interior conveyed that Toyota was offering something new to U.S. buyers.
Although the Crown Signia and the outgoing Highlander Hybrid belong in different segments and target different demographics, they are not priced very far apart. Here are five reasons I’d choose the former.
1. More Stylish Exterior
Having seen it in different colors and every angle, I can say that the Crown Signia combines the look of a wagon with a sedan’s sleekness. Its lower roofline (up to 4.1 inches shorter than the Highlander), larger, 21-inch wheels and smooth silhouette contrast with the Highlander’s traditional SUV style.
If you are bored with flat shapes and aggressive designs but don’t want to buy a sedan, the Crown Signia balances practicality with style.
2. Better Fuel Economy
While both vehicles feature the same 2.5-liter hybrid system, the Crown Signia is at least 305 lbs lighter, and thanks to a streamlined body, it is more fuel efficient. It gets 39 MPG city, 37 MPG highway, and 38 MPG combined, according to EPA estimates, generating a system output of 240 hp.
The Highlander Hybrid reaches just 35 MPG (city/highway/combined), also as per EPA estimates, while developing 243 hp. For urban fuel savings, the Signia emerges as a better choice.
3. High-Quality Interior
I can tell you that the Crown Signia is the closest you’d get to a Lexus in a Toyota. When I got to sit in the car for the first time, I couldn’t recall a Toyota feeling this premium. It comes with leather seats as standard, Black or Saddle Tan colors, and exclusive features including a Panoramic fixed-glass roof and Digital Key.
The Highlander, on the other hand, prioritizes family practicality over luxury. If you prefer a refined feel similar to Lexus and don’t need a third row, pick the Crown Signia.
4. Lower Price
The Crown Signia’s compact size and lower stance make it easier to drive and park in crowded cities, even though it has a slightly larger turning radius. If a third row isn’t essential, it makes more sense, and a saving of anywhere between USD 2,830 and USD 10,485 depending on the trim is an added bonus.
5. Future Of The Highlander
Following years of declining sales of the nameplate, Toyota has confirmed that the 2027 Highlander is an all-electric SUV. Toyota is shifting the Highlander nameplate exclusively to electric power in the U.S. when its new three-row EV SUV begins production at the Princeton plant late this year.
An automobile engineer by training, I’ve analyzed the global car market since 2005, with a keen focus on EVs since 2008. My journey in online automotive publishing spans 17 years, during which I have reviewed cutting-edge automotive technologies and interviewed leading global CEOs and vehicle developers.
