Compare the2023 Toyota Rav4VS 2023 Buick Encore GX

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Toyota Rav4 have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Buick Encore GX doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

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 (except LE) offers optional Parking Assist with Automatic Braking that use rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. The Encore GX doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Rav4’s 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 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, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Toyota Rav4 is safer than the Buick Encore GX:

	Rav4	Encore GX
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	284	401
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.4 inches
Leg Forces (l/r)	340/190 lbs.	409/383 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Toyota Rav4 is safer than the Buick Encore GX:

	Rav4	Encore GX
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	83	91
Chest Movement	.5 inches	1.1 inches
Abdominal Force	138 lbs.	199 lbs.
Hip Force	246 lbs.	459 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	146	185
Hip Force	508 lbs.	517 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	299	337
Spine Acceleration	36 G’s	38 G’s

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Rav4 is 2% to 3% less likely to roll over than the Encore GX.

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, and daytime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Rav4 the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2023, a rating granted to only 53 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Encore GX last would have qualified as a “Top Safety Pick” in 2022.

Warranty

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, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Buick doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Encore GX.

Reliability

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’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Buick vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota first in overall reliability. Buick is ranked 11th.

Engine

The Rav4’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 66 more horsepower (203 vs. 137) and 22 lbs.-ft. more torque (184 vs. 162) than the Encore GX’s standard 1.2 turbo 3-cylinder. The Rav4’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 48 more horsepower (203 vs. 155) and 10 lbs.-ft. more torque (184 vs. 174) than the Encore GX’s optional 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Toyota Rav4 is faster than the Buick Encore GX 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder:

	Rav4	Encore GX
Zero to 60 MPH	8 sec	9.3 sec
Quarter Mile	16.2 sec	17 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	87.6 MPH	80 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Rav4 gets better mileage than the Encore GX:

			MPG
Rav4
	FWD	XLE 2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	27 city/34 hwy
		LE/Limited 2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	27 city/35 hwy
	AWD	LE 2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	27 city/34 hwy
		XLE 2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	27 city/33 hwy
		Adventure/Limited 2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	25 city/33 hwy
		TRD Off-Road 2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	25 city/32 hwy
Encore GX
	FWD	1.3 turbo 3-cyl.	29 city/32 hwy
		1.2 turbo 3-cyl.	29 city/31 hwy
	AWD	1.3 turbo 3-cyl.	26 city/29 hwy

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.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Rav4	Encore GX
Front Rotors	12 inches	11.81 inches
Rear Rotors	11.1 inches	10.39 inches

The Rav4 stops much shorter than the Encore GX:

	Rav4	Encore GX
70 to 0 MPH	161 feet	174 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	120 feet	122 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Rav4 XLE Premium/Adventure/Limited’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Encore GX (235/55R19 vs. 225/55R18).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Rav4 XLE Premium/Adventure/Limited has standard 19-inch wheels. The Encore GX’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

Suspension and Handling

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 3.7 inches longer than on the Encore GX (105.9 inches vs. 102.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Rav4 is 1.6 inches wider in the front and 1.5 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Encore GX.

For better maneuverability, the Rav4 LE/XLE’s turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the Encore GX’s (36.1 feet vs. 36.8 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Rav4 LE/XLE has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Encore GX (8.4 vs. 7.5 inches), allowing the Rav4 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Rav4 XLE Premium/Limited/Adventure/TRD Off-Road’s minimum ground clearance is 1.1 inches higher than on the Encore GX (8.6 vs. 7.5 inches).

Chassis

As tested by Car and Driver while cruising at 70 MPH, the interior of the Rav4 Limited 4WD is quieter than the Encore GX Essence AWD (66 vs. 67 dB).

Passenger Space

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, 2.4 inches more front hip room, 2.4 inches more front shoulder room, 1.4 inches more rear headroom, 1.8 inches more rear legroom, .2 inches more rear hip room 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.

Cargo Capacity

The Rav4 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Encore GX with its rear seat up (37.6 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 (69.8 vs. 50.2 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Rav4 easier. The Rav4’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 27.8 inches, while the Encore GX’s liftover is 30.5 inches.

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

	Rav4	Encore GX
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	40”/73.4”	31.8”/60.8”
Max Width	59”	53”
Min Width	39.4”	40.7”
Height	36.6”	32”

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.

Towing

The Rav4’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Encore GX’s (1500 vs. 1000 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Buick Encore GX is only 1000 pounds. The Rav4 4WD 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.

Ergonomics

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 them all 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.

The Rav4 has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The Encore GX doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

The Rav4’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Encore GX’s standard halogen headlights. LED lights also light instantly and last over twenty times longer than halogen.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Rav4’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Encore GX’s headlights are rated “Acceptable” to “Marginal.”

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

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Rav4 (except LE/XLE/Adventure) 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.

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.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Toyota Rav4 and the Buick Encore GX, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Toyota Rav4 outsold the Buick Encore by over 8 to one during 2022.