Perhaps no other brand in the auto industry has such a comprehensive lineup of crossovers and SUVs as Toyota. The latest to join the lineup is a new member of the Crown family, the Crown Signia. This is a two-row utility join the likes of extremely popular RAV4 but is promising a more refined and luxurious experience. So, who wins in a 2025 Toyota Crown Signia vs. 2024 Toyota RAV4 battle? Well, that’s what we’re going to be investigating today!
Pricing and Equipment
So, first off, let’s discuss pricing for these two SUVs before we get to into the exterior, interior and drive them.
Starting with the popular RAV4, we have the sporty-yet-high-end XSE trim level. Toyota offers quite a few options and our tester checked almost all of those, making its total price $41,985, after destination.
RAV4 (Hybrid XSE AWD): $37,385 | Options: +$4,523 | Destination: $1,350 | Total: $43,258
Moving to the all-new Crown Signia, we also have the trim with a sporty look, the loaded-Limited. This is positioned as the more premium product, ending at $51,675 after adding the same Advanced Technology package as the RAV4.
Crown Signia (Limited AWD): $47,900 | Options: +$2,250 | Destination: $1,395 | Total: $51,675
By the way, if you want to get the best price from local dealerships and access to invoice pricing info for these two models or any vehicle, we have a tool on our website to do just that. Click here for more information!
Exterior Design
Starting with the exteriors, you would probably not have any idea that they are related to each other in any way if it weren’t from the Toyota badge on the front. The RAV4 goes for a tougher stance than is boxier and more traditional in its design, while the Signia looks very sleek and streamlined with its body-colored grille.
Both models have premium projector LED headlights, the Signia with a separated housing, and neither have fog lamps.
Continuing to the sides, the Crown looks a lot longer because it is. It has about a 13-inch advantage in overall length, but you’ll probably be surprised by how that translates to interior space later in this comparison. Nevertheless, for now, the Signia comes with much larger 21-inch alloys, and we will also talk about ride quality later, but only the RAV4 that offers a two-tone roof option for those who want that extra flare.
Length: 180.9-inches (RAV4) | 194.1-inches (Crown)
Next up, we have the rears. You may have your own opinion regarding designs, but as far as features, you’ll find full LED taillights on the Crown and partially LED one on the RAV4, hidden exhaust outlets on the RAV4 and hidden on the Crown, and then the spoilers and gloss black trim are roughly the same.
If you’re looking to tow, the Crown Signia can tow substantially more than the RAV4, at 2,700 instead of 1,750 lbs.
Towing: 1,750 lbs. (RAV4) | 2,700 lbs. (Crown)
Additional Features
Now moving on to some individual features, you’ll find nice mirrors on both. They have BSM, heating, and LED turn signals. Power-folding with reverse tilt-down is Crown exclusive.
But family SUVs need to be safe, and one of the really nice things about these two is that all four of your major active safety features are included standard. Their warranties are also the same as well, including Toyota’s 2 years/25k miles of complimentary maintenance.
But the biggest differences happen on the inside, so let’s get to that.
Interior Design
Approaching both SUVs, they have smart entry systems with the typical Toyota key fob. Remote start available via the app for free during the trial period.
Note: Toyota’s remote start can also be activated via the key fob during the trial period
Both have sensors behind the door handles to unlock and after opening the doors, you’re going to see quite nice cabins, especially in the case of the Crown.
Before we dig into the features, let’s start with the seats. While the seats themselves have the same number of adjustments, the Signia uses real leather on its seats as opposed to the SofTex leatherette on the RAV4. Both are heated, the Crown is also ventilated with memory seats, as equipped, though both are available on the Limited RAV4 without the sport design.
Now once inside the cabins, let’s check out the major point category of material quality. It probably not going to surprise you that the Crown Signia exceeds what the RAV4 is offering. Although it is nice too, the Crown goes for nearly Lexus-level finishes and solidity, and we also have a wider variety of materials used.
Upon startup, you’ll start to come across the areas where these two are more similar. The digital gauges clusters are basically identical, neither of them offers HUD’s for some reason, and they also have rain sensing wipers.
The steering wheels are both manual-adjusting and leather-wrapped, even though the Crown has the newer Toyota design.
Storage and Technology
Now it’s time to evaluate another major interior section: storage. This is a big deal for many families, and in this regard, the RAV4 fights back. It’s not only got more space in the center console, but a lot more cubby space in the middle and the passenger storage shelf.
Note: both have wireless phone charging pads
And that’s even though the RAV4 is the one with the physical shifter instead of an electronic one.
When in reverse, you’ll see an a 360-degree camera on both, and above on the dash are the climate controls. While RAV4 has simplified large knobs, they are both dual-zone automatic.
We additionally have upgraded JBL audio systems on both models. We kind of expected the Crown to have an elevated sound but they both have 11-speakers and sound the same.
Crown: 11-speaker 800-watt JBL Premium audio
RAV4: 11-speaker 800-watt JBL Premium audio
One place where the Crown is indeed elevated though is the main infotainment screen. It has a standard 12.3-inch screen compared to a 10.5-inch screen on the RAV4.
Otherwise, though, both have the same Toyota software with built-in navigation, and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
As we wrap up the front of the cabins, both have auto-dimming mirrors with HomeLink remotes, and the rear camera functionality if you flip the switch. Both also have panoramic sunroofs but it’s important to remember that the Crown’s cannot open like the RAV4’s can.
Rear Seats and Cargo
But now as we turn our attention to rear areas, you’ll probably find a lot of this surprising. The first thing is that the significantly longer Crown Signia delivers the same legroom and less headroom vs. the RAV4.
Crown: Legroom: 37.1 inches | Headroom: 38.1 inches
RAV4: 37.8 inches of legroom | 39.5-inches of headroom
Now that that’s out of the way, they also have quite a few features. Both give you USB ports and rear vents, but Crown has standard heated back seats, even on the base trim.
Note: also available on RAV4 Limited
Now let’s see how much stuff you can bring along with you for the journey. This time there is a giant discrepancy of 41% for how much cargo space you get with the seats in place. That’s due to the RAV4 being much more upright, giving you the ability to stack cargo more effectively. However, once you fold down the back seats, the gap narrows substantially with the extra length in the Signia. We still have a 5.4% advantage from the RAV4 though.
RAV4: Behind 2nd row: 37.6 cubic feet | Max: 69.8 cu.ft
Crown: Behind 2nd row: 24.8 cu. ft | Maximum: 66.1 cu. ft (w/ pano)
Their seats fold down but the Crown gives you handles in the back to do that more easily.
This race is getting tighter by the minute, but now it’s time to head out on the streets!
Powertrains
Powering both models are Toyota hybrid systems, but they are not the same. The RAV4 has 219 hp from its combination of a 2.5L 4-cylinder and electric motors, while the Crown Signia uses the same displacement engine and electric componentry to make 240 hp. While that is a notable advantage in power, the extra weight of the Crown means they accelerate to 60 MPH in just about the same amount of time.
RAV4: 2.5L I-4 + Electric: 219 hp | 0-60: 7.3s
Crown: 2.5L I-4 + Electric: 240 hp | 0-60: 7.1s
When it comes to transmissions, both are using eCVTs that are very responsive. Power hand-off between the electric motors and gas engines are smooth on both since Toyota has been doing hybrid systems longer than anyone. The only thing you might notice is the sound of the engine when you are accelerating hard.
Test Drive and Fuel Economy
Now let’s talk about an important part for any SUV, the ride quality. In this area, both impresses. The RAV4 rides smoothly and is one of the better options in the class, but the Crown Signia really impresses because it’s able to ride sublimely while still having 21-inch alloys wheels. The ride quality reminds us of a lot of the Lexus RX with 21’s.
But that aside, how quiet are the cabins? Here at Car Confections, we take a sound level reading of every vehicle we test on our channel. Unsurprisingly, we did get a bit lower decibel reading in the Crown, [p] and this reading was taken on a rougher road near the Mexican border in Southern California. Nevertheless, until we get our official reading back home in Kentucky, we won’t be grading this.
RAV4: 56.7 dB @ 55 MPH
Crown: 55.3 dB @ 55 MPH
Lastly, both of them achieve excellent fuel economy overall. The RAV4 will have an advantage of about 2 MPG, although I do want to point out that the Signia MPG figure is estimated by Toyota and is not yet finalized by the EPA yet.
RAV4: 41/38/40 MPG
Crown Signia: 39/37/38 MPG (Toyota estimate)
Resale and Reliability
In our reviews and comparisons, we are also adding in reliability and resale information to give you a better picture of the overall value beyond just the original MSRP.
Beginning with reliability, we developed the Combined Reliability Index, which considers several studies from trustworthy sources, and combines them in a way that gives a more realistic picture. Toyota is our #1 highest-rated brand, being the 16 slots above the industry average.
We also put Mason’s economics degree to work to develop a detailed Predicted Resale Value tool. After 5 years and 60,000 miles, Toyota has the industry’s second-highest predicted resale value of 64.5%. These are both brand-wide metrics.
While resale value is obviously very important, one of the biggest points of this comparison is evaluating if the Crown Signia is worth the extra money, so let’s dive into value. When comparing these two, there is a substantial $8,417 price difference between them.
I want to emphasize that if money, reliability or resale value matter less to you personally, feel free to disregard these points. And if you’d like to check out all our data about reliability and resale values, as well as learn about our methodology, make sure to head to www.carconfections.com/resale and www.carconfections.com/reliability. Buying a car is a big decision, and this is a great place to compare all the makes you might be cross-shopping.
2025 Toyota Crown Signia vs. 2024 Toyota RAV4 winner!
So, there you have it; the objective winner is the RAV4, but let’s discuss who should be “your” winner…
Crown:
- Luxury that is elevated above the RAV4
- Sleek design
- Extra premium features
RAV4:
- More cargo space and rear seat space
- Pano moonroof that opens
- Better fuel economy
- Lower price – this is the biggie. If you don’t mind the extra cost or expect extra lux, the Crown might be the one for you!
Now we want to know your opinions, so make sure to head to the comment section and let us know which one you would pick!
Thanks for joining us for another Car Confections Comparison! We’ll catch you next time as we sample the latest automotive delicacies!
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