Talking Cars 468: Driving the Toyota Crown Signia

Plus, we address why EV owners have to charge their cars more often in the winter, and what to do if you can only afford to replace two tires

Mike Quincy, Consumer Reports Content Specialist, Autos.

By Mike Quincy
Content Specialist, Autos

March 26, 2025

Main theme: In this podcast episode, we give our first driving impressions of the all-new 2025 Toyota Crown Signia, which we recently purchased for CR’s auto test program. As the name suggests, this new model is based on the Toyota Crown sedan. Where it differs from the sedan is that it doesn’t just look like a hatchback, it actually is a hatchback. Both use the same 240-hp, 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid powertrain hooked up to an electronic continuously variable transmission (eCVT).

Our panelists are unanimous in their disdain of just how buzzy loud this engine gets under power, and they agree that the Crown Signia’s hatchback design is much more practical—and better looking—than the sedan version. What they couldn’t agree on was whether the Crown Signia should be classified as a wagon or an SUV.

Audience Questions
• With these steady cold temperatures we’ve been having, is it normal to be charging my Kia Niro EV more than once a week? During the summer I charged biweekly, but it seems like I have to charge more often in the winter. (Learn how electric car range can fall short of claims and how temperatures affect EV range.)

• If my budget allows for only two new tires, should I install the new pair on the front or rear of my front-wheel-drive car?

Talking Cars 468 panel discusses the Toyota Crown Signia — “Talking Cars” panelists (from left): Mike Quincy, Ryan Pszczolkowski, and Gabe Shenhar.

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Recent Episodes

• Driving the Volkswagen ID. Buzz, episode 467
• 10 Top Picks of 2025, episode 466
• Driving the Mazda CX-50 Hybrid, episode 465
• Electric Vehicles—Live From CR’s Auto Test Center, episode 464
• Driving the Nissan Kicks, episode 463

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Mike Quincy

Mike Quincy is a writer, editor, podcaster, and tester with the Consumer Reports autos team. He has been with CR since 1993, purchasing more than 160 cars for the test program. Previously, Mike wrote for Automobile Magazine. When he’s not working, Mike can be found training for a long-distance bicycle ride, honing a wide variety of baked goods, or studying the world of mixology in search of the perfect martini.