Savagegeese Really Loves the Toyota Crown Signia

You may not know it from the name, but Savagegeese is a popular video reviewer of vehicles, a provider of automotive information, and a member of the Midwest Automotive Media Association. They recently gave a very positive review of the Toyota Crown Signia, and Sharp Automotive gives you the highlights. 

Just to review, the Crown Signia is a crossover version of the Crown, Toyota’s flagship sedan. It is low and long, giving it much more wagon-like proportions than most crossovers. Indeed, despite a crowded crossover market, the only other model with proportions like these is the Subaru Outback. Unlike the Subaru, The Crown Signia is entirely devoid of black cladding and off-road styling. Instead, the styling focuses on luxury with an appearance that is “Sleek and cohesively designed,” as the video review puts it.  

The Crown Signia is said to replace the Venza in the Toyota lineup, but it is larger and significantly more upscale.  Like the Venza, the Crown Signia is exclusively hybrid-powered with standard all-wheel drive courtesy of an electric motor in the rear. Specifically, It uses a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated inline-4 assisted by three electric motors. This produces 243 horsepower, and the engine is paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission.  

Savagegeese is clear that this vehicle is not sporty, the acceleration is not neck-snapping, and its ride behavior does not encourage aggressive driving. Instead, he describes the Crown Signia as “Clear in its focus to be refined, smooth, almost entry-level luxury car-like. It is a great compromise between what you expect from Camry, the Lexus ES, or RX.” 

Crown Signia is repeatedly referred to as bridging the Toyota and Lexus product offerings. The quality of the seats is described as Lexus-like. The smoothness of the hybrid system, the conspicuous silence of the cabin during operation, and the relaxed, though not floaty, ride all give a luxury-like experience. 

One place where the reviewer prefers the Crown Signia to luxury models is the abundance of physical controls and the lack of excessive technology. He celebrates the lack of electronic door releases or haptic touch controls, instead appreciating clearly laid out controls with a satisfying click when you use them. On the same theme, he points out approvingly: “98% of Climate control can be handled without interacting with the touchscreen”. And yet, the luxury touches are evident. A smartphone slots vertically in the wireless charger, where it is both secure and out of the way yet still able to interact wirelessly through the infotainment system.  

Their tester was equipped with the Saddle Tan interior, and the tan and black contrast was well appreciated. The cargo area is described as “amazing,” and its long, low wagon proportions will please anyone who appreciates loading things next to each other and on top of each other.  

On the road, the luxury experience comes to the forefront. The cabin is “solid and quiet.” In city driving, the hybrid system leans on the motor/generators, enabling a smooth experience. The handoff to gas operation is effectively imperceptible. Overall, the driving impression is described as “…so calming and relaxing to drive…It is probably one of the best-set-up Toyotas in terms of ride quality.” 

In his final thought, he summarizes the Crown Signia thusly: “This combines all the best things they’ve done in their luxury products.” If you’re interested in a crossover that delivers a luxury experience without demanding a luxury price, visit Sharp Automotive and test drive the Crown Signia.