First new car since 2009!
I said I'd likely buy used again after having great luck with the last several we bought, but the used market has changed significantly since last shopping for a truck back in 2019. Besides, my wrenching days are over and I'm just looking for something frugal, comfortable, and reliable to drive off into the sunset.
We got a good head start on test drives when we were helping friends shop for their new vehicles starting last fall. He wanted an SUV and ended up with a Benz GLC-300. She initially started shopping for a sports sedan but ended up with a Volvo V60 wagon. My wife was pretty smitten with the V60 and was settled on that but I convinced her to try some other alternatives before making the ultimate decision.
Anyway, we pick up the new wheels on Monday, so in the meantime I figured I'd let the gallery try to figure out what we got. ;D
Quote from: kd on May 01, 2026, 07:14 PMFirst new car since 2009!
I said I'd likely buy used again after having great luck with the last several we bought, but the used market has changed significantly since last shopping for a truck back in 2019. Besides, my wrenching days are over and I'm just looking for something frugal, comfortable, and reliable to drive off into the sunset.
We got a good head start on test drives when we were helping friends shop for their new vehicles starting last fall. He wanted an SUV and ended up with a Benz GLC-300. She initially started shopping for a sports sedan but ended up with a Volvo V60 wagon. My wife was pretty smitten with the V60 and was settled on that but I convinced her to try some other alternatives before making the ultimate decision.
Anyway, we pick up the new wheels on Monday, so in the meantime I figured I'd let the gallery try to figure out what we got. ;D
Lexus?
V60 Wagon, in my experience, it's rare that a wife is going to change her mind once she's settled on something.
RDX or NX.
Good to see you posting KD.
Mmmm... The "frugal" part has me thinkin' hybrids. Could be as easy as a loaded Civic Hybrid, but then a Lexus UX or NX is not a lot more coin depending on options. But with KD being a midsize sedan guy, maybe a new Camry? The V60 is a mild hybrid IIRC, so not that frugal in the end (and requires premium gas).
I'm going to go completely off script with my guesses.
Wife really like the Volvo wagon so I am guessing the new Subaru Outback, quite luxurious inside, good powertrain, a wife approved style, and reliable.
For KD I am going to say the new Honda Accord Hybrid. Again, luxurious inside, good to drive, comfy, reliable, frugal.
Crosstrek Hybrid
Geez, at least Johnny gave us some good hints, this is like playing darts with the lights out!
Lexus NX?
Maybe Audi A4 Allroad or Subaru Outback if you went more practical but my bet is still on something like the V60 or close to it. :)
Crown Signia. :o The one car nobody seems to know anything about! ;D It was the sleeper that I saved until the end for test driving. Wife had no idea and had a scowl when I pulled in to the Toyota dealership. She liked the look instantly though, both inside and out. Ours is Storm Cloud with tan interior.
Just picked it up a couple of hours ago and wife took it for a good drive while i checked out the sound system. Wanted something good on fuel and we both liked it better than the V60. I'll give some updates once I get some wheel time. Initial feel though is that it is a definite downgrade in quality and comfort from the GS-350, but so was everything else we tried, including the new RX-350.
Runners up were the V60 wagon and the RDX. Fuel economy was the real decider for the Signia. Besides our friend has been having weird electrical issues with her new V60, and the UI system sucks.
Hey, if it was only up to me I would have got a Golf R. ;D
GODDAMN, I was gonna guess that, but it's so oddball, I didn't bother to.
I find the regular Crown to have very goofy proportions, but the Crown Signia is eminently better looking. Very shooting brake.
Congrats, and I'm sure this will have no issues being the last vehicle you buy. A modern Volvo would have been a riskier proposition long term.
Quote from: kd on May 04, 2026, 05:31 PMCrown Signia. :o The one car nobody seems to know anything about! ;D It was the sleeper that I saved until the end for test driving. Wife had no idea and had a scowl when I pulled in to the Toyota dealership. She liked the look instantly though, both inside and out. Ours is Storm Cloud with tan interior.
Just picked it up a couple of hours ago and wife took it for a good drive while i checked out the sound system. Wanted something good on fuel and we both liked it better than the V60. I'll give some updates once I get some wheel time. Initial feel though is that it is a definite downgrade in quality and comfort from the GS-350, but so was everything else we tried, including the new RX-350.
Runners up were the V60 wagon and the RDX. Fuel economy was the real decider for the Signia. Besides our friend has been having weird electrical issues with her new V60, and the UI system sucks.
Hey, if it was only up to me I would have got a Golf R. ;D
I test drove the Crown sedan and loved it.
Congrats!
I really like the look of the Crown Insignia, looks decently upscale, should be ultra reliable and fuel efficient. It's also a good ride height, perfect for a retiree... ;D
I really really really like the Insignia. It's probably the top list of family haulers I'd like to own, and as close to a wagon as Toyota has come in many years.
Congrats, looking forward to the photos and your impressions.
Quote from: Bridgecity on May 01, 2026, 11:53 PMRDX or NX.
Good to see you posting KD.
Cheers BC! We both really liked the RDX, and the NX was ok too.
Quote from: Johnnymac on May 04, 2026, 06:08 PMI really like the look of the Crown Insignia, looks decently upscale, should be ultra reliable and fuel efficient. It's also a good ride height, perfect for a retiree... ;D
Still coming to grips with that...lol!! Hey, I've been busier since being retired than I was at work. ;D
Quote from: Tortoise on May 04, 2026, 06:48 PMI really really really like the Insignia. It's probably the top list of family haulers I'd like to own, and as close to a wagon as Toyota has come in many years.
Congrats, looking forward to the photos and your impressions.
Thanks, it is as wagonish as it gets these days. I'll post some photos soon. Took it for good drive this evening to check out the lighting and it's pretty good. Like that it has headlight washers as well as we used that feature a lot on the GS-350.
I test drove the Crown sedan and loved it.
Congrats!
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Thanks Ron!
Quote from: GreatBigAbyss on May 04, 2026, 05:43 PMGODDAMN, I was gonna guess that, but it's so oddball, I didn't bother to.
I find the regular Crown to have very goofy proportions, but the Crown Signia is eminently better looking. Very shooting brake.
Congrats, and I'm sure this will have no issues being the last vehicle you buy. A modern Volvo would have been a riskier proposition long term.
Thanks! Shooting brake is what came to my mind on first sight as well.
Congrats! Interesting choice, but hard to go wrong with a Toyota given your priorities here.
Congrats KD.
Damn, should thought of that one!
I have it im my driveway next month !! I spent time on the road with both the sedan and the wagon during Toyota's Kanreki cross-country trip. The Signia was a pre-production unit with a few odd plastics, looking forward to the press car.
Indeed, it's like a reliable V60 that's better on gas while using regular instead of premium. No idea why these things aren't selling any better.
Pics - we need pics !!
Yup, would've never guessed this one... figured some sort of Lexus product again... but I guess Toyota isn't too far off. Congrats! Pics please as was already requested ;D
Quote from: Blueprint on May 05, 2026, 07:53 AMDamn, should thought of that one!
I have it im my driveway next month !! I spent time on the road with both the sedan and the wagon during Toyota's Kanreki cross-country trip. The Signia was a pre-production unit with a few odd plastics, looking forward to the press car.
Indeed, it's like a reliable V60 that's better on gas while using regular instead of premium. No idea why these things aren't selling any better.
Pics - we need pics !!
I think one of the main reasons why it doesn't sell more is the less rugged exterior design and the price increase over the RAV4 Hybrid, which is also a more rugged design. Personally I'd pick the Signia over the RAV4 but I'm not like most buyers.
It's not Crown INsignia,
just Crown Signia.
Congrats KD, great choice and I'm sure you'll enjoy.
Quote from: Gurgie on May 05, 2026, 08:42 AMYup, would've never guessed this one... figured some sort of Lexus product again... but I guess Toyota isn't too far off. Congrats! Pics please as was already requested ;D
I agree.
The Crown Sedan felt closer to Lexus than Toyota...for me, anyways.
^Thanks folks!
Reason it doesn't sell imo is because most people consider it a wagon, including me, and it's pricey. Most people still like SUV/CUVs. I can see why but we have always preferred the wagon format but a little more ground clearance was required. I whacked the muffler on the GS-350 a few times at my country place and caused some damage and the Crown has just enough clearance for our needs.
Pics are coming but we took it for a long drive yesterday and it's filthy. Too crappy out today to wash it. ;D
Nice, congrats! I really like the Crown Signia. Looks more bespoke than your typical Toyota and I'm actually a fan of the fact that it doesn't look "rugged" like most CUVs out there. I'm interested to hear your impressions, based on nothing concrete I get the feeling that it's more upscale than Toyota's other offerings. Reminds me of the original Venza.
Quote from: GreatBigAbyss on May 04, 2026, 05:43 PMGODDAMN, I was gonna guess that, but it's so oddball, I didn't bother to.
I find the regular Crown to have very goofy proportions, but the Crown Signia is eminently better looking. Very shooting brake.
Congrats, and I'm sure this will have no issues being the last vehicle you buy. A modern Volvo would have been a riskier proposition long term.
I saw a Crown the other day, they're very rare around here. I was reflecting and what makes it look "off" is the weird rear window that's half sedan/half hatchback, and also the body cladding and slightly higher ride height. Almost like it's a car on an SUV platform.
Reminds me of the Polestar 2 which I remember reading is also a car based on a Volvo's CUV platform.
^ Polestar2 is indeed on the XC 40 platform.
A few pics....
(https://i.imgur.com/iwYDEyu.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/SlhCPez.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/nyZR5Ox.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/WhlRjRd.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/pkRcu6C.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/Ag4fuA9.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/DQxJdX1.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/wZTbclf.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/yd2ZrMY.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/GamPqwV.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/Zm3QzSc.jpeg)
Ordered a winter wheel and tire package from the dealer and asked them to hold onto them for me until I build a storage shed sometime soon. Garage space is tapped out. I can get two vehicles in there in winter but it's a tight squeeze with the tractor, huge blower, and all the tools packed into every crevice.
Looking sharp!
Has almost Vensa like proportions to it.
Love the brown leather seats on a blue exterior. My new Miata I just picked up has the same color brown seats and I like it because it's different from all the other cars I have owned.
Quote from: Gurgie on May 10, 2026, 04:30 PMLooking sharp!
Has almost Vensa like proportions to it.
The Toyota Crown shares a platform with the Lexus RX, which was based on the Toyota Harrier, which was also the foundation for the Toyota Venza.
So, yes, I would say that the Toyota Crown Signia and the discontinued Toyota Venza are very similar, and ostensibly occupy the same space in the market.
Quote from: Johnnymac on May 10, 2026, 04:42 PMLove the brown leather seats on a blue exterior.
Same, that's the perfect spec. Well done.
Quote from: GreatBigAbyss on May 11, 2026, 09:23 AMI would say that the Toyota Crown Signia and the discontinued Toyota Venza are very similar, and ostensibly occupy the same space in the market.
The Venza was $12K+ less than the Signia, so I'm not sure it's playing in the same market.
As others have said, I love the colour combo. Looks great! The interior (and exterior to some extent) looks Lexus like. Kind of a blend between Toyota and Lexus.
Quote from: Bridgecity on May 11, 2026, 10:22 AMAs others have said, I love the colour combo. Looks great! The interior (and exterior to some extent) looks Lexus like. Kind of a blend between Toyota and Lexus.
Yeah, it's more than a bit of a tweener.
I didn't really want the tech package but didn't think it was worth waiting the 3-months to special order one either. The only one I could find without the tech package was black/black and didn't want that. Besides, we are really enjoying the adaptive cruise and be hard to live without it now that we've drunk the koolaid. ;D Also, liking the airy feeling with the pano-roof and not at all upset that it doesn't open. I didn't want 21" wheels either, but no other choice in Canada. I did go down to 18" wheels/tires for the winters though.
Anyway, I'll add some driving impressions once i get more wheel time but we are really liking it thus far. Only irritant to date is the eye-sight monitor is way too sensitive. It has warned me several times to pay attention while I'm staring straight at the road. Most times while I was wearing sun glasses, but also a couple of times when not. This was never an issue in my F-150 work truck, which is the only other vehicle i've had with this feature.
There's no getting away from the fact that this thing is an appliance, albeit a very good one, but by this time next year I can see myself looking for something completely analog to set my hair on fire! ;D
Quote from: kd on May 11, 2026, 11:10 AMQuote from: Bridgecity on May 11, 2026, 10:22 AMAs others have said, I love the colour combo. Looks great! The interior (and exterior to some extent) looks Lexus like. Kind of a blend between Toyota and Lexus.
There's no getting away from the fact that this thing is an appliance, albeit a very good one, but by this time next year I can see myself looking for something completely analog to set my hair on fire! ;D
See and this last bit is where we are all hoping you end up with getting something interesting to break up the "appliance" feel from the main vehicle.
Sharp vehicle, very Venza-esque, not that there is anything wrong with that.
Quote from: kd on May 11, 2026, 11:10 AMOnly irritant to date is the eye-sight monitor is way too sensitive. It has warned me several times to pay attention while I'm staring straight at the road. Most times while I was wearing sun glasses, but also a couple of times when not.
You can turn it off outright, if you don't like it. Turn it off in the settings of the mult-information Display. It's going to be called 'driver monitor'. NO way to reduce the sensitivity, it's either 'on' or 'off'
Got my press car unit yesterday. Two-tone Metallic red w/ black roof, black interior and tech pkg. Not as sharp-looking as your colour combo.
Rides very softly, but the 21" tires are an odd pairing and they really Twack! on expansion joints. 6.1 avg on Day 1 despite leaving the car "on" for pictures and hitting 130 on the way back. Traffic jam mode on the adaptive cruise pretty good!