Cars have been getting more expensive over the years, but not everything has to do with the economy or government policies. Consumers in general desire a better car than the generation that succeeds it. One sure-fire way to improve a car from the older model is to add more features. Looks good on a brochure, and the incremental price increase may seem worth it. A couple of generations later, a certain model has become so premium that it’s already encroaching into luxury car territory.
Such is the case for today’s hybrid SUVs with Toyota reliability and Lexus-level comfort. These two may come from a mainstream brand, but in terms of comfort and premium feel, you’ll have a hard time justifying whether splurging for a premium option is even worth it. These two vehicles are the definition of offering great value and a sumptuous-enough driving experience, that it’s already worth skipping the premium badge.
When Mainstream Brands Became Near-Luxury
A close-up shot of the 2024 Mazda CX-5’s door handle.Mazda
But before we talk about today’s mainstream hybrid SUV with luxury levels of comfort, we need to take a brief look at moments in automotive history where mainstream brands have offered luxury car prestige.
The Crown Jewel Of Toyota
2026 Toyota Crown front 3/4 shotToyota
Perhaps the most prominent example of all, depending on which part of the world you live in, is Toyota’s Crown sedan. Before the present-generation Crown, the nameplate was last sold in 1972, having been powered by either a four-cylinder or a trio of inline-six engines. The Crown was always marketed as a full-size executive sedan.
In modern-day Japan, the Crown represents the pinnacle of the Toyota range. The Century has recently been spun off as an ultra-luxury brand of its own, and it’s set to compete with the likes of Rolls-Royce. For those living outside Japan, Lexus has served as Toyota’s offering for customers who would usually lean towards the European luxury brands, but still want the reliability and ease of maintenance that Japanese brands are known for.
Brands That Truly Felt Near-Luxury
And then there are brands like Volkswagen, in which, during the mid-2010s, the German mainstream brand was pushing models whose build quality felt nearly as posh as an Audi. The Golf Mk. VII, aka the seventh-generation model, produced from 2013 to 2020, was the perfect example of this. The interior was filled with premium materials, the door thud was typical German bank vault-like, and then every button and switch inside the vehicle had a satisfying click. Today, the Golf’s quality feel is no longer the budget Audi it used to be, especially when it leaned heavily on touch screens and capacitive touch controls.
Lastly, Mazda is another brand that has made a name for itself when it comes to interior quality. From the mid-2010s to the present day, Mazda’s interiors have been punching above their weight in the mainstream segment, particularly with the second facelift of the Mazda 6 in 2018. Today, Mazda continues to innovate in terms of interior materials, but competitors have since caught on. Brands like Hyundai and Kia have learned to offer posh materials inside their vehicles, particularly the new Telluride and Palisade.
Related
10 Best Midsize Hybrid SUVs
These are the best ten midsize hybrid SUVs you can get in 2025. Whether you’re looking for features or space, these ten exceed expectations.
Your Grand Three-Row Choice
Front 3/4 shot of 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander in red parkedToyota
Now here are two mainstream hybrid SUVs that feel nearly as posh as a Lexus. If you need to haul an entire family with you in unparalleled comfort, the Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid MAX in range-topping Platinum trim is worth a look over a Lexus TX. Here’s why.
Luxury In Space And Features
A shot of the dashboard in the 2024 Toyota Grand HighlanderToyota
Luxury is always best appreciated inside a vehicle, and thankfully, the 2026 Grand Highlander Hybrid MAX Platinum delivers. Soft-touch materials and bronze trims create a pleasing interior ambience, especially with automakers that prefer chrome trims. These days, most automakers have been leaning towards synthetic leather, but this Platinum lets you bathe in genuine leather seating with Ultrasuede inserts for a more special touch. The seats are supremely comfortable for long drives, while those in the first and second rows are treated to both heated and ventilated seats.
But there’s also luxury to be experienced in space, because why would people spend more for at least premium economy on a long-haul flight, right? In the Grand Highlander, even the third row is spacious. There are cupholders, dedicated air conditioning vents, and even USB-C fast charging ports. Further augmenting the feeling of space and openness is the panoramic glass roof, not to mention the large expanses of glass that give you plenty of room to appreciate the view.
2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Platinum interiorToyota
Lastly, there are plenty of premium features in this Platinum variant that somehow make you wonder why you’d even need to splurge for the equivalent Lexus TX. A JBL sound system already comes as standard, and so does a pair of 12.3-inch screens. There’s also a wireless charger, a powered tailgate, and 20-inch wheels that enhance its stately exterior design.
Luxury In Effortless Power
2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Third-Row SeatToyota
And then there’s also luxury to be appreciated with the effortless power that the Hybrid MAX powertrain provides. Versus Toyota’s usual series-parallel hybrid systems with an e-CVT, Hybrid MAX is a pure parallel system that combines a 2.4-liter turbo four-cylinder, a six-speed automatic, and an electric motor sandwiched between these two powertrain components. This setup is good enough for a sub-six-second 0-60 mph time.
Grand Highlander Hybrid Max
Powertrain
2.4-liter turbo four-cylinder hybrid
Horsepower
362 hp
Torque
400 lb-ft
Transmission
6-speed A/T
Driveline
AWD
Fuel Economy (Combined)
27 MPG
This is a hybrid system primarily focused on performance, whose linear power delivery and direct throttle feel provide both a thrilling drive and a combined EPA-rated 27 MPG — three MPG better than the non-hybrid but seven MPG less than the 2.5-liter series-parallel e-CVT hybrid.
As for the handling, the Grand Highlander is effortlessly comfortable. Our team has the Grand Highlander already and was left impressed with how small this large three-row SUV felt. The sightlines are great, while the refinement levels are Lexus-like in terms of quietness. Ride quality is also supple—exactly what you need from a premium large SUV that doesn’t bother you during long drives.
Getting this Platinum Hybrid MAX variant starts at $59,775, but if you want this powertrain in the Lexus TX, you’ll need to shell out at least $71,810. Is the more than $10,000 upcharge worth it? In our book, we’d already gladly skip the TX 500h and just settle for the Grand Highlander Platinum Hybrid MAX, since it’s already about 90 percent of the value proposition of the TX. The folks at TractionLife also have similar sentiments to ours.
A Posh In-Signia
2026 Toyota Crown Signia Limited Exterior Front 3.25 RightLyndon Conrad Bell | TopSpeed
Now, what if you don’t need the size and space of a three-row hybrid SUV, but a two-row option with a Lexus-level premium feel is what you want? Well, why not consider the Toyota Crown Signia, whose lifted wagon body style alone is already enough of a selling point for some consumers.
Wagon-Like Persona
Rear 3/4 shot of 2026 Toyota Crown Signia Limited parkedLyndon Conrad Bell | TopSpeed
If there’s a body style that exudes a premium vibe, a wagon form factor can easily fulfill that job. That’s because in the United States, the European luxury marques are the majority providers of the wagon form factor. So going for the 2026 Crown Signia and its lifted wagon persona is an easy way to own a vehicle with European vibes. 19- or 21-inch wheels are offered, along with full LED exterior lighting. The front end of the Crown Signia also looks distinct and modern, featuring a borderless grille that’s complemented by Toyota’s signature Hammerhead front fascia design.
2025 Toyota Crown Signia Steering WheelWilliam Clavey | TopSpeed
As for the interior, the Crown nameplate historically represented the pinnacle of Toyota’s premium feel, and that tradition continues here. A choice between Black or Saddle Tan genuine leather upholstery, while soft-touch materials with bronze trimmings help in giving the interior a luxurious vibe. Standard premium features include front seats with heating and ventilation, a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, and two 12.3-inch screens, while those opting for the Limited will appreciate the well-tuned JBL premium sound system and a panoramic glass roof.
The Crown Signia is also a midsize crossover wagon, and as you would expect, there’s plenty of space for both front and rear occupants. In fact, there’s little reason for you to go for the Lexus NX if the Crown Signia somehow looks more distinct and offers much more space, since this vehicle is a size class higher. Premium feel-wise, the two cars are a close match. The Lexus NX is supposed to offer a more premium interior, but the advantage isn’t even significant, as the NX offers a sliver of wood trim.
An Indulgent Driving Experience
2025 Toyota Crown Signia SeatsWilliam Clavey | TopSpeed
Finally, the Toyota Crown Signia offers an indulgent driving experience, based on our team’s review of a range-topping Limited version. The Crown Signia’s ride height isn’t too high nor too low. As a result, sitting in this vehicle is very easy and matches your body’s dimensions really well. Like the Grand Highlander, a 2.5-liter series-parallel hybrid system is fitted here as well, but since it’s doing duty in a lighter and smaller vehicle, the drivetrain feels more effortless.
Base Trim Engine
2.5-liter 4-Cylinder Hybrid
Base Trim Transmission
CVTi-S
Base Trim Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive
Base Trim Horsepower
188 HP @6000 RPM
Base Trim Torque
178 lb.-ft. @ 4300 RPM
Make
Toyota
Model
Crown Signia SUV
Segment
Compact SUV
Based on our team’s testing, a 0-60 mph time of around seven seconds isn’t quick, but it’s relaxed enough for the powertrain not to feel like it’s working hard. The Crown Signia has an e-CVT, which is actually a planetary gear set and not a traditional belt-and-pulley CVT. Sure, the engine emits a constant drone when accelerating, but thanks to the copious sound insulation, the Crown Signia remains quiet and sumptuously refined on all occasions. Besides, with strong electric motors, the hybrid system will do its best to cruise in pure electric mode, further aiding refinement.
Also sumptuous is the Crown Signia’s ride quality. Luxury means keeping yourself unfazed amidst outside forces trying to knock you out, but like the Grand Highlander, the Crown Signia offers a very supple ride. Also, just as supple are its seats, which, like many Toyota seats, do a good job of reducing fatigue on long drives.
The Crown Signia is both quiet and comfortable. Plus, a nice by-product of putting the Crown Signia “on stilts” is the ease with which egress and ingress are accomplished… Fit, finish, and materials are Lexus-like in execution. The two-row cabin comfortably seats five, with adequate head, leg, and hip room for all occupants.
– Lyndon Conrad Bell, TopSpeed Journalist
It’s also worth mentioning that the Crown Signia is so closely priced compared with the NX. Yet sales-wise, the NX significantly outsells the Crown Signia. There is luxury in a car that stands out more on the road since fewer units have been sold. Perhaps people would rather gravitate to the NX due to its Lexus badging, but we’d argue that the raised wagon body style, the more spacious interior, and the Lexus-like premium feel it offers make it just as, if not more, compelling than the NX.
Sources: Toyota, TractionLife, Edmunds
