Mainstream cars these days are inching closer to becoming luxury cars in terms of their perceived interior quality. Unfortunately, this has led to some mainstream cars climbing up in price to a point that sometimes, these mainstream cars are inching closer to or even exceeding true luxury vehicles.
That is the case for today’s Toyota model. Price-wise, it is already close to an equivalent Lexus, but I’d argue that, in some ways, it has an even more luxurious interior quality than a Lexus NX. Sales-wise, this Toyota model isn’t a huge seller, which we’ll be getting into the reasons as to why that may be the case, but focusing solely on the interior quality, this Toyota model should be on your shortlist if you’re looking for a Lexus whilst penny-pinching.
The ‘Crown’ Jewel Of Toyota
The model we’re showcasing here is the 2026 Toyota Crown or Crown Signia. These two models feature an interior whose quality feels even exceeds what an equivalently-priced Lexus NX offers.
Sumptuous Interior Quality
The 2026 Toyota Crown and Crown Signia, depending on the variant you choose, can feature a pure black, black and white, or black and saddle brown interior, which just oozes in elegance and quality when you see it in photos—let alone in person. What Toyota got right with the Crown’s interior is that it has minimized the use of gloss black plastic. There’s a shiny grey plastic panel surrounding the gear lever and some of the drive mode controls, but it sure is more durable than the easily scratchable gloss black stuff.
An equivalently-priced Lexus NX, for instance, has far too many gloss black panels versus the Crown and Crown Signia, which somewhat diminishes the premium appeal of the NX. Don’t get us wrong, that’s not to say that the interior of the NX is cheap, but the Toyota Crown and Crown Signia’s interior is just so plush and premium, it puts into question why bother opting for an NX.
What’s more, the Crown’s interior layout is spacious, comfortable, and pleasing to the eye… This is Toyota’s top-of-the-line sedan, so the materials chosen to upholster the interior have a premium look and feel.
– Lyndon Conrad Bell, TopSpeed Journalist
Matched With Refined Driving Dynamics
What’s even more impressive is the sumptuous refinement of how the Crown lineup performs. Whether it’s the Crown crossover sedan or the Crown Signia crossover wagon, both models exhibit a high level of refinement that, yes, why would you bother going for a Lexus NX or, heck, even the Lexus ES? The Crown models feature copious sound insulation, which keeps the cabin serene at high speeds. Ditto the smooth hybrid drivetrain with electronic all-wheel drive (AWD) and the well-tuned suspension, whose supple ride just eats the stresses away.
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Toyota’s Genre-Blending Cars
Whichever of the two flavors of the Toyota Crown you choose, you’re sure to get an indulgent driving experience. However, while there are plenty of similarities between the Crown sedan and Crown Signia, the two versions cater to different customer bases.
Signia Is A Refined Outback
Do you find the new Subaru Outback too polarizing and a bit too rugged? That’s where the Crown Signia comes in. We’d even argue that the Crown Signia is more wagon-like than the new Outback, thanks to its just-right ride height and true-to-form wagon shape. At least to my eyes, I also prefer the Crown Signia over the sedan. The front end’s body-colored grille that neatly integrates with the rest of the front fascia looks futuristic, while the slim LED daytime running lights and separate main LED headlights give the Crown Signia a somewhat sleek design.
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Moving towards the sides, this is where you’ll appreciate its wagon silhouette, wherein the long and low-enough roof is matched with less black cladding for a cleaner look versus the sedan’s. There are also thin full-width LED taillights, which help set the Crown Signia apart from the sedan version.
Crown Is A Modern-Day Outback Sedan
Going back to the Subaru Outback reference, did you know that the Outback was offered in a sedan body style until the 2008 model year? So yes, it wasn’t the Crown that started the crossover sedan body style. Nevertheless, the Crown sedan is the version you go for if you want something that looks more distinct—albeit a bit more polarizing. The front end features a large grille that’s contrasted with a gloss black housing, and this visually connects to the slim LED headlights.
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The side profile comes with a black trim piece below the doors, which, to my eye, adds more visual clutter to the design versus the Crown Signia. A black contrasting roof is also available on certain Crown sedan variants. Moving towards the rear end, there’s a sloping roofline that flows towards the trunk lid, while the full-width LED taillights don’t meet at the center, as this is where the Toyota logo is placed. Whether or not you prefer the Crown or Crown Signia, design-wise, is up to you, but personally, my wagon biases heavily favor the Crown Signia’s design.
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Hybridization In Two Flavors
The Crown and Crown Signia represent the flagships of Toyota’s genre-bending vehicle lineup. They also happen to feature two hybrids interpreted in different ways and for different purposes.
A Smooth Hybrid On All Versions
All variants and body styles of the Toyota Crown feature two types of hybrid drivetrains. Fitted to almost every variant is the fourth-generation Toyota Hybrid System (THS IV), which means it’s not yet using the THS V found in the Prius, Camry, and RAV4. Anyway, THS IV in the Crown and Crown Signia uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder and an electric motor in the front and rear axles, hence the e-AWD configuration. Total system output is 236 horsepower, and all of that power is routed through a planetary gear-type e-CVT.
Based on our drive of the Crown Signia, this hybrid system is very serene and quiet. Its 236-horsepower output may not be the most powerful in any car these days, but it’s enough to effortlessly bring the Crown Signia up to speed. This driving feel pretty much applies to the Crown sedan, too. Decent steering response and body control mean that the handling is good enough, though not what you’d call athletic. Treat the Crown and Crown Signia the way it was intended to be driven, which is to simply cruise, and you’ll enjoy the delicate hybrid system and ride comfort of these two vehicles.
Sedan’s Available Turbo Hybrid
Unique to the Crown sedan in Platinum trim is the Hybrid Max powertrain. Unlike the series-parallel fourth-generation THS IV that’s fitted to every other Crown variant, the Hybrid Max is a parallel hybrid system. As a parallel hybrid, the electric motor is sandwiched between the 2.4-liter turbo four-cylinder and the six-speed automatic. A K0 clutch simply connects and disconnects the engine from the entire system. Offering a strong 340 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque, the Crown Platinum can sprint from zero to 60 mph in just 5.7 seconds.
Toyota Crown Performance Specs
|
Crown Hybrid |
Crown Hybrid Max |
|
|
Powertrain |
2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid |
2.4-liter turbo four-cylinder hybrid |
|
Horsepower |
236 hp |
340 hp |
|
Torque |
N/A |
400 lb-ft |
|
Transmission |
e-CVT |
6-speed A/T |
|
Driveline |
AWD |
AWD |
|
0-60 MPH |
TBA |
5.7 Seconds |
|
Fuel Economy (City) |
42 MPG |
29 MPG |
|
Fuel Economy (Highway) |
41 MPG |
32 MPG |
|
Fuel Economy (Combined) |
41 MPG |
30 MPG |
Matching the potent performance is its Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) that improves both ride and handling, though it is still not a sports sedan by any means. The tall-ish ride height affects agility somewhat, but our friends from CarBuzz can agree that its six-speed automatic and copious amounts of torque from the turbo four-cylinder mean there’s no engine droning. With six gears to play with, it also delivers power in a linear fashion and with the engaging feel of a multi-geared transmission. Go for the Crown Platinum Hybrid Max if you want a degree of athleticism. Of course, this comes at a price, though, and not only is it touching the $60,000 mark, but it is also thirstier—though considering its performance, a combined EPA rating of 30 MPG is excellent.
Sources: The EPA, Toyota, Lexus