2026 Toyota bZ Woodland vs. 2026 Toyota Crown Signia Review

2025 Toyota Crown Signia Limited ・ Photo by Brady Holt

If you think about station wagons, you might think about Volvo. The Volvo wagon was once a dominant image of upscale suburbia. But Volvo doesn’t build any more station wagons for the U.S. market. Instead, in the past couple years, Toyota has taken its place with two brand-new models – the Toyota Crown Signia, launched in 2025, and the all-new 2026 Toyota bZ Woodland. 

Both the Crown Signia and the bZ Woodland are upscale yet functional. And both are built to cut your fuel bill – just in very different ways. The Crown Signia is a gas-electric hybrid, while the bZ Woodland is a fully electric vehicle. For this review, we’ve tested both the Crown Signia hybrid and the bZ Woodland EV to see how they compare in eight categories – then name our overall winner. Keep reading to see which one we chose and whether it sounds like the right fuel-saving mid-size wagon for you. Then we’ll discuss some alternative vehicles to consider as you balance spaciousness with low fuel bills. 

Pricing and Features

You’ve likely heard a lot about electric cars being expensive. Sure enough, the bZ Woodland isn’t cheap, at a starting price of $45,380. But we’ll still give it a win in this category. 

First of all, the bZ Woodland comes packed with features even at its base price: all-wheel drive, leatherette upholstery, heated front and rear seats, a hands-free power liftgate, a surround-view parking camera, and other amenities that feel more like “top of the line” than “base model.” 

Secondly, like many EVs, the bZ Woodland often sells at big discounts off its sticker price. If you get price quotes from multiple Toyota dealers, you can likely pay a lot less. 

Finally, the Crown Signia isn’t a budget ride, either. It starts at $44,690. That money buys you genuine leather (not offered on the bZ Woodland) and ventilated seats (an extra cost on the bZ Woodland). But unless you find a rare discount, you’d pay more than for a bZ Woodland. 

A final note is that EVs tend to lose their value more quickly than hybrids. You can dodge the issue by scoring a great deal at the start – essentially capturing that depreciation yourself – or keeping the car a long time. 

Winner: Toyota bZ Woodland

2026 Toyota bZ Woodland Premium ・ Photo by Brady Holt

Fuel Efficiency

The 2026 Toyota Crown Signia is a fuel-efficient gas-electric hybrid. A 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine pairs with two electric motors for a total of 240 horsepower. The second electric motor connects to the rear wheels to provide all-wheel drive. The electric battery gets automatically recharged by the gas engine and friction from the braking system.

In EPA testing, the Crown Signia gets 39 mpg in the city, 37 mpg on the highway, and 38 mpg combined. You can even select an “EV Mode” that lets you lock in a bit of extra electric-only acceleration at speeds up to about 20 mph, at least until your battery runs down. It’s enough for you to circle for a parking space or inch through the school pickup line without releasing any tailpipe emissions. We fell slightly short of the EPA ratings during a test in cold winter weather, which is harsh on electric batteries. Still, we averaged a respectable 36 mpg. 

The bZ Woodland is much more economical, though. The base model gets the energy equivalent of 127 mpg in the city, 107 mpg on the highway, and 117 mpg combined, while the top Premium model like our test vehicle dips to 109 MPGe. Costs will vary based on your driving style and fuel costs, but the EPA estimates that it would cost $650 to recharge the bZ Woodland at home for 15,000 miles of driving – while gas for the Crown Signia would cost $1,650. 

Winner: Toyota bZ Woodland

2026 Toyota bZ Woodland Premium ・ Photo by Brady Holt

Range and Refueling

For some people, EVs are a great fit. If you can charge up at home, you take advantage of lower electricity rates. And you can cut the gas station out of your routine – your car refuels itself while it’s parked in your garage or driveway. 

But it’s effortless to hop in a gas-powered car and take a long road trip. In an EV, that takes some extra time and planning. And the same applies if you can’t charge at home. 

The base bZ Woodland goes an EPA-estimated 281 miles on a charge, while the Premium like our test vehicle drops to 260 miles. And remember, efficiency falls on the highway, so you’ll have to stop more often if you’re covering ground on the Interstate. Our test car used 45 percent of its battery to travel 137 miles, which would work out to a 304-mile range. 

Recharging to 80 percent capacity at a DC fast-charging station, like a Tesla Supercharger, takes at least 28 minutes. (DC charging speeds drop off sharply after 80 percent, so owners are usually advised to stop there at a DC station.) That charging speed isn’t bad for an EV, but it’s nothing like putting some gas in a Crown Signia’s tank. And the Crown Signia goes an EPA-estimated 551 miles on its 14.5-gallon gas tank. 

Also keep in mind that public EV charging stations can cost more than a gas station to use; you give up most of your fuel savings if you can’t charge at home. We paid $29 for about 158 miles’ worth of range at a fast-charging station. That’s like 22 mpg in a gas car at $4 per gallon. 

Winner: Toyota Crown Signia

2025 Toyota Crown Signia Limited ・ Photo by Brady Holt

Exterior Design

The Crown Signia pairs crisp, slim headlights with a gently rounded body, creating a classy-looking station wagon. (Toyota calls it a crossover, and all-wheel drive is standard, but the long nose and lower roof are pure wagon.)

The bZ Woodland wears similar headlights and has similar proportions, but its body is more angular. As the “Woodland” name suggests, it’s chasing an outdoorsy vibe more than on-road gentility. You’ll also see that in its blacked-out fenders and big, sturdy roof rack. Toyota co-developed the bZ Woodland with Subaru, and except for the headlights, it would fit right in at a Subaru dealer. 

We won’t declare a winner in this category. You’ll choose your preferred style for yourself. 

Winner: Tie 

2025 Toyota Crown Signia Limited ・ Photo by Brady Holt

Interior Design

Inside, the two Toyota wagons also sport different styling. Once again, the Crown Signia has graceful, flowing lines while the bZ Woodland has straighter lines and sharper edges. The Crown Signia’s interior is warmer and fancier, while the bZ Woodland’s is more purposeful. Both are well built. Once again, aesthetics come down to taste. 

Still, we’ll give a slight edge to the Crown Signia for its simpler controls. The bZ Woodland has a bigger touchscreen – 14 inches versus the Crown Signia’s 12.3 inches. But Toyota hands over part of the bZ Woodland’s screen to digital climate controls. We preferred using the Crown Signia’s fixed climate buttons that live below its smaller screen. 

Winner: Toyota Crown Signia 

2025 Toyota Crown Signia Limited ・ Photo by Brady Holt

Passenger Accommodations

The bZ Woodland and Crown Signia are both mid-size five-passenger station wagons. Their seating positions aren’t as low as a sedan’s, but they’re not as high as an SUV’s. Both have enough room for adults in their backseats. But while both are comfortable, the Crown Signia edges out the bZ Woodland. 

Up front, the Crown Signia’s seats are especially well-shaped and comfortable. Plus, even the base model includes ventilation as well as heating, keeping the driver and front passenger cool even on a hot day. Meanwhile, in the back, the bZ Woodland doesn’t have much foot space under the front seats, so passengers have to sit a little more awkwardly. Both cars are comfortable and roomy, but the Crown Signia has an edge. 

Winner: Toyota Crown Signia 

2025 Toyota Crown Signia Limited ・ Photo by Brady Holt

Cargo Space

The bZ Woodland, meanwhile, has more cargo room: 34 cubic feet for your luggage behind the rear seat and 75 cubic feet when you fold the seat down. The Crown Signia is a little longer and wider than the bZ Woodland, but its rear end is less upright – one reason for its more modest 25 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 68 cubic feet with the rear seat folded. If you stack your cargo to the ceiling, the optional panoramic roof cuts into your volume a little further, too.

The bZ Woodland also has those big, sturdy roof racks if you wish to carry more luggage on top. It’s rated to tow more, too – up to 3,500 pounds versus the Crown Signia’s already respectable 2,700 pounds. Just keep in mind that the bZ Woodland’s electric range would drop sharply if you’re pulling a trailer. Both the Crown Signia and the bZ Woodland are functional wagons, but the bZ Woodland is even more so. 

Winner: Toyota bZ Woodland 

2026 Toyota bZ Woodland Premium ・ Photo by Brady Holt

Driving Impressions

If you’ve never driven an electric car, the bZ Woodland might come as a revelation next to the Crown Signia. The latter is fine – decent pep from its 240-horsepower hybrid system, a smooth ride, and a natural feel to its steering and handling. But the bZ Woodland goes to the next level with its near-silent, extra-quick acceleration.

In the bZ Woodland, two electric motors combine to make a mighty 375 horsepower. And while the Crown Signia makes a gruff noise when you dig into the throttle, the bZ Woodland is nearly silent whether you’re driving gently or jamming your foot to the floor. Expect to need about 7 seconds to reach 60 mph in the Crown Signia and a sports-car-like 4.5 seconds in the bZ Woodland. Find your gap in traffic, put your foot down, and you’re there – free of drama or complaint. 

The bZ Woodland’s electric battery lives under the cargo floor, which also helps lower its center of gravity. It’s not a sharp-handling corner carver, but it’s livelier than the Crown Signia – with no loss of ride quality. Finally, the bZ Woodland’s Subaru roots and higher ground clearance (8.4 inches to the Crown Signia’s 6.7 inches) give it an edge for light off-roading. 

Winner: Toyota bZ Woodland

2026 Toyota bZ Woodland Premium ・ Photo by Brady Holt

Final Thoughts

We’re fans of electric cars. We like how they drive. We like charging up at home rather than going to gas stations. And we like how they slash our fuel bills. If you’re reading this review, it tells us you’re open to an EV – despite drawbacks like shorter ranges and longer refueling times than a gas car. 

That’s why our winner is the 2026 Toyota bZ Woodland. This zippy, quiet, comfortable, and ultra-economical vehicle stands up well for both value and functionality – while crushing the 2026 Toyota Crown Signia’s efficiency, speed, and powertrain refinement. 

If you’re looking for a comfortable, economical, classy wagon that saves you gas without needing a home charger or wanting to figure out charging on the go, the Crown Signia is still a great option. And we wish the bZ Woodland had the Crown Signia’s more comfortable seats and simpler climate controls. But if an EV can work for you, the bZ Woodland is a great option. 

2026 Toyota bZ Woodland Premium ・ Photo by Brady Holt

Other Alternatives

The bZ Woodland wins this comparison. But it’s not the only game in town. First of all, it’s nearly identical to the 2026 Subaru Trailseeker. The Trailseeker has a different front-end design and a lower-cost base model than the bZ Woodland. And in case your Subaru dealer offers bigger discounts, consider getting price quotes on both brands' wagons.

Another model to consider is the Toyota bZ, a slightly smaller, less expensive version of the bZ Woodland with less cargo room. The biggest potential advantage is that the standard bZ is available with front-wheel drive – cutting costs and boosting range, though at the expense of all-weather traction and extra-quick acceleration. The bZ Woodland doesn’t give you a choice; you're locked into 375 hp and AWD. 

Meanwhile, if you decide against an EV, the Subaru Outback is the top Crown Signia rival. It doesn’t have a hybrid powertrain, so it burns more gas. But it has more room, an easier-to-use infotainment system, and a lower price than either the bZ Woodland or the Crown Signia. 

Finally, you can shop the Crown Signia against a collection of hybrid compact crossovers. They’re similarly functional and economical, and they cost about the same. Toyota’s own RAV4 takes a more rugged than luxurious vibe, but the Honda CR-V, Kia Sportage, and Mazda CX-50 hybrids are more upscale. So is the slightly larger Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid, along with the non-hybrid Volkswagen Tiguan and Nissan Rogue. 

2026 Subaru Trailseeker Touring ・ Photo by Brady Holt