Compare the2026 Toyota Rav4VS 2026 Buick Encore GX

The Rav4 has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Encore GX doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Rav4 SE/Woodland/XLE/XSE/Limited/GR Sport has a standard Parking Support Brake that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Encore GX doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Rav4 AWD’s standard Downhill Assist Control allows you to creep down safely. The Encore GX doesn’t offer Downhill Assist Control.

Both the Rav4 and Encore GX have Rear Cross Traffic Alert, but the Rav4 SE/Woodland/XLE/XSE/Limited/GR Sport has Parking Support Brake (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Encore GX’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

The Rav4’s optional driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Encore GX doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Rav4 and the Encore GX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

The Rav4’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Encore GX’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Rav4 for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Buick doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Encore GX.

There are over 33 percent more Toyota dealers than there are Buick dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Rav4’s warranty.

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the Rav4’s engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the Encore GX’s camshafts. If the Encore GX’s belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Buick vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota third in overall reliability. Buick is ranked 11th.

The Rav4 has more powerful engines than the Encore GX:

On the EPA test cycle the Rav4 running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the Encore GX:

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid SE/XSE can travel with zero emissions for 52 miles. The Encore GX can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

The Rav4 has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Encore GX (14.5 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Rav4 has a standard locking fuel door and a locking charge port and which locks and unlocks with the power locks, respectively. The Encore GX doesn’t offer a locking fuel filler door. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank and a locking charge port prevents tampering and damage.

For better stopping power the Rav4’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Encore GX:

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Encore GX are solid, not vented.

For better traction, the Rav4 has larger tires than the Encore GX (235/65R17 vs. 225/55R18).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Rav4 XSE has standard 20-inch wheels. The Encore GX’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

For superior ride and handling, the Toyota Rav4 has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Buick Encore GX has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The Rav4 has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Rav4 flat and controlled during cornering. The Encore GX’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Rav4’s wheelbase is 3.9 inches longer than on the Encore GX (105.9 inches vs. 102 inches).

For greater off-road capability the Rav4 Woodland has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Encore GX (8.5 vs. 7.5 inches), allowing the Rav4 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Rav4 has 4.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Encore GX (98.9 vs. 94.3).

The Rav4 has .1 inches more front legroom, 3.4 inches more front hip room, 1.6 inches more front shoulder room, 1.4 inches more rear headroom, 1.8 inches more rear legroom and 2.8 inches more rear shoulder room than the Encore GX.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Rav4’s rear seats recline. The Encore GX’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Rav4 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Encore GX with its rear seat up (37.8 vs. 23.5 cubic feet). The Rav4 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Encore GX with its rear seat folded (70.4 vs. 50.2 cubic feet).

The Rav4’s cargo area is larger than the Encore GX’s in almost every dimension:

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Rav4. The Encore GX doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Rav4’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Encore GX’s (1750 vs. 1000 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Buick Encore GX is only 1000 pounds. The Rav4 offers up to a 3500 lbs. towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Rav4 uses the Vehicle Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Encore GX doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Rav4 Limited/XSE Plug-In Hybrid offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Encore GX doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Rav4’s front and rear power windows all open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Encore GX’s passenger windows don’t close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the Rav4 the driver can close all of them at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the Encore GX can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

Both the Rav4 and the Encore GX offer available heated front seats. The Rav4 Limited also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Encore GX.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Rav4 XSE/Limited keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Encore GX doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Rav4 has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the Encore GX Avenir.

Both the Rav4 and the Encore GX offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Rav4 has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Encore GX doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

The Toyota Rav4 stands out above the Buick Encore GX by offering not one, but two Qi-compatible phone chargers. This convenience helps travelers with multiple devices to keep powered up on-the-go. Wireless charging eliminates lost or cluttered charging cables and one of them provide more flexibility.

The Rav4 (except LE/SE/XLE)’s optional Advanced Park can parallel park by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The Encore GX doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The Toyota Rav4 outsold the Buick Encore GX by over 8 to one during 2024.