The auto market is dominated by SUVs in the U.S., but many forget that it wasn’t always that way. In the luxury space, one of the earliest brands to introduce a luxury SUV was Lexus with the RX, which has been one of the very best-selling luxury models ever since then. On the mainstream side, Toyota also has a lineup full of utilities, one of which kind of seems to step on the toes of the RX. So, how does this new model truly stand in a 2025 Toyota Crown Signia vs. 2025 Lexus RX 350h battle? That’s what we are about to find out!
Pricing and Equipment
A great place to start this comparison is by discussing the pricing.
Let’s start with the oh-so-popular Lexus RX. We have one of the new trims for 2025, the F-Sport Design, which combines the popular options most people buy. This mid-tier model rings in at just over 60 grand.
RX (350h F-Sport AWD): $55,705 | Options: +$3,235 | Destination: $1,350 | Total: $60,290
Moving to the Toyota, we have the highest-end Limited trim for equivalency’s sake. It comes in at a price of $51,695 which is less than the Lexus but might be a little closer than you expected.
Crown Signia (Limited AWD): $47,990 | Options: +$2,290 | 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.
Exterior Design
They say imitation is the finest form of flattery and you’ll certainly see that going on between these two SUVs. Obviously, they hail from the same parent company, but this new Crown Signia is easily the most Lexus-like Toyota in the overall design. Both models have a spindle shape to the grille, and this RX has the F-Sport design package which gives it a bit of a sportier look vs. the luxury-focused Crown Signia.
For lighting, both have premium projector LEDs as standard equipment. They do have some differences, though. Only Toyota includes LED turn signals as standard equipment, and on the flip side, only Lexus includes fog lamps.
Moving to the side, both are FWD-based crossovers and lengthwise they are very similar. The Crown Signia is more wagon-like than the RX, and both have quite large 21-inch alloys to spice up their designs. We will see how ride quality, interior, and cargo space stack up later in this comparison.
Length: 192.5-inches (RX) | 194.1-inches (Crown Signia)
As we continue our way around to the backs, both have tasteful designs. Beyond the cosmetics, which we don’t score, there’s only one real feature difference and that’s that only the RX hides its rear wiper under the spoiler to keep it from being weathered.
Lighting is fully LED on both, and as far as towing capacity, the RX has a 25% advantage.
Towing (max): Crown Signia: 2,700 lbs | RX: 3,500 lbs
Additional Features
Now let’s move on to some of the individual features. Checking out the mirrors, they come nicely equipped with heating, blind spot monitoring, power-folding and even auto-dimming in the case of the RX.
In addition, both also include every other active safety system you can think of, standard on all trims. You also have the available traffic jam assistant, which is included on the Toyota as equipped today but would cost $1,400 more to option on to the Lexus.
Finally, let’s mention the warranties, which are quite different. The RX has a longer powertrain and basic warranty, but the Crown Signia fights back with a longer complimentary service period.
Crown Signia: Warranties: Basic Warranty: 3yr/36k mi | Powertrain: 5yr/60k mi | Complimentary Maintenance: 2yr/25k mi
RX: Warranties: Basic Warranty: 4yr/50k mi | Powertrain: 6yr/70k mi | Complimentary Maintenance: 2 visits
Anyway, that concludes the outside, so now let’s see how luxurious and spacious the interiors are.
Interior Design
So first walking up to them, both have smart entry systems, and the Lexus has the slightly nicer key fob. We do have some more differences, though. While both offer digital key, it’s once again an extra-cost option on the RX we don’t have and is included on our Crown Signia Limited.
Text: Remote start is via the app and requires a subscription after a trial period.
Now when you open the doors you are greeted with two very modern upscale cabins. Once again, the Crown Signia had some Lexus inspiration and that begins with our seats. It comes standard on all trims with real leather seats, whereas our Lexus, ironically enough, is using a faux leather called NuLuxe for this trim level.
The NuLuxe is still quite nice though, and both models include heating, ventilation and memory. For adjustability, both have the same 8-way power adjusting with two-way lumbar support.
Now that we’re inside, we can evaluate overall material quality. Both are very nice places to spend time and offer a wide variety of materials. The Toyota uses a lot of leatherette and soft touch plastic, but the RX will still take the lead. It also uses plenty of leatherette and soft plastic, but, as expected, also adds an extra layer of plushness with Alcantara and real open-pore wood.
After startup, you’ll see the same 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster for both, which is new this year to the 2025 RX. A head-up display is offered on the RX, but not for this price tag, and coming back to the steering wheels, both are leather-wrapped and heated. The RX goes the extra mile and has power adjustment for the wheel, and both have rain-sensing wipers.
Storage and Technology
But moving to an area of big importance, let’s talk interior storage. At Car Confections, we stuff the center storage with donuts to measure volume since that’s our logo after all. In this case, the Lexus is a bit larger fitting 13 donuts compared to 10 in the Toyota. It also has more storage in the front under its wood cover. Overall, it’ll take the storage point.
Both have wireless phone chargers, and they also have the same electronic shifter. Once in reverse, you’ll find a 360-degree camera system on the Crown which is yet again another extra-cost option on the RX.
Now that brings us to the volume knobs, so let’s give the audio systems a sample.
RX: 12-speaker premium audio
Crown Signia: 11-speaker JBL Premium Audio w/Subwoofer
Now even though we have a lightly optioned RX, its standard 12-speaker audio system is still a step above the optional JBL on the Toyota. It has richer sound quality and an extra speaker, plus you can get a Mark Levinson system on most trims if you’re an audiophile.
The differences continue with the climate systems. RX includes a three-zone setup compared to a dual-zone one for the Toyota, and both are adjusted mostly through physical controls.
And that takes us up to these two infotainment systems. As expected, the Toyota’s display is a little smaller at 12.3-inches vs. the RX’s 14-inches setup. Software-wise, they have the same infotainment software with built-in navigation and wireless abilities for CarPlay and Android Auto.
Wrapping up the front of the cabins, only the Toyota has a rear camera mirror system as equipped, and it’s also going to be the only one including a large panoramic sunroof.
The Lexus can get that option for $500 extra, and it can open while the Crown’s is fixed in place.
Rear Seats and Cargo
So, these two have fought tit-for-tat so far, but which has the most practical back seat and cargo area? Well, starting with the space, these two are sized nearly identically. The RX does hold a tiny advantage in legroom and the Crown a tiny advantage in headroom, but both are less than the 5% difference required to score a point.
- Crown Signia: Legroom: 37.1-inches | Headroom: 38.1-inches
- RX: Legroom: 37.4-inches | Headroom: 37.0-inches
Let’s also talk about the amenities you will find in the back. Both have vents and USB ports, but only the Crown Signia has heated back seats at this price.
Moving past that, after opening the hands-free power tailgates, we have substantial differences. The RX has about a 17% cargo advantage behind the 2nd row, and the roles reverse and it’s the Crown Signia with a significant lead in maximum capacity by about 35%.
Crown Signia: Behind 2nd Row: 24.8 | Max: 66.1 cu.ft
RX: Behind 2nd Row: 29.6-cu.ft | Max: 46.2-cu.ft
That’s a significant difference between these two, but it doesn’t stop there. The Lexus has a 40/20/40 split folding rear seat vs. the 60/40 split in the Crown. That allows you to have 4 passengers while still having a long object, like skis, in the cabin.
Both include buttons or handles to fold the seats from the cargo area, but only the RX includes a spare tire.
Now that all that is settled, it’s time to take this fight out on the street!
Powertrains
Despite them having different badges on the front they have the exact same powertrain under their hoods. That’s a good thing, though, since that means they have an efficient 2.5L 4-cylinder engine plus electric componentry making about 246 total horsepower. While technically the Crown makes 6 less horsepower than the RX, in practice they feel identical and provide pretty good acceleration.
- Crown Signia: 2.5L 4-cyl + Hybrid System: 240 HP
- RX 350h: 2.5L 4-cyl + Hybrid System: 246 HP
I would be remiss to not mention that Lexus does offer 3 other powertrain choices including a straight gas setup, plug-in hybrid, and more powerful hybrid system. People like options which will give the Lexus a half point when compared to the single option on the Toyota.
Moving on, they both have the same transmission which in this case is a responsive eCVT. They both also have standard AWD.
Test Drive and Fuel Economy
But one of the main reasons you’re looking to buy either of these SUVs is for sublime ride quality. Who does it best? Well, both ride really nicely, but Lexus has Crown beat. It has some of the most comfortable ride you can get in any vehicle and amazingly soft seats for ultimate comfort.
On the flip side, the Crown Signia has more agile handling characteristics than the RX, making it more fun to drive on back roads.
But noise entering into the cabin is also important which is why we collected our signature sound level readings on both SUV’s. They come in very quiet although the Crown Signia was tested in California on a media drive so it cannot be scored officially. Here it is for your reference.
Crown Signia: 54.6 dB @ 55 MPH | California
RX: 56.7 dB @ 55 MPH
And lastly, for fuel economy, both excel at 36 and 38 MPG combined respectively. The Signia, because of its lower overall profile, gets 2 MPG better than the RX which is barely above the 5% threshold to score a point.
- Crown Signia AWD: 39/37/38 MPG
- RX 350h AWD: 37/34/36 MPG
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. Lexus ranks 10 slots ABOVE the industry average for all brands in reliability, while Toyota is our #1 brand overall for reliability coming in a whopping 16 slots above 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, both brands impress. Lexus is the number one luxury brand retaining a predicted 53.8% of its value but Toyota still tops it coming in at 64.50% after 5 years.
Resale is obviously important because it determines how much money you get back, but we can’t forget about the price difference at the original purchase. The Lexus RX costs $8,615 more than the Crown Signia.
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. 2025 Lexus RX 350h Winner!
Wow so that was a hard-fought battle! But which one you choose really is going to come down a lot to personal preference. Now let’s discuss who should be “your” personal winner based on those preferences…
RX:
- Most luxurious cabin
- Better warranty/dealer experience
- More powertrain options (4 total)
Crown Signia:
- Better fuel economy
- Best resale/reliability
- Price (less expensive and has more features at a similar price)
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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