2021 Buick Encore GX vs 2021 Toyota RAV4

The 2021 Buick Encore GX stood out for its stylish design, a significant improvement over the original Encore, which was often referred to as “the shoe” due to its awkward proportions. The Encore GX came in three trim levels: Preferred, Select, and Essence, with an optional Sport Touring (ST) package available for all trims. Buyers could choose between front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD), with two turbocharged three-cylinder engines on offer. The 1.2-liter engine was available only with FWD, while the 1.3-liter engine could be paired with either FWD or AWD. Pricing ranged from $24,200 to $30,600, with our test model, an Essence trim with the 1.3-liter engine and several upgrades, coming in at $35,065. Despite its high price, Buick offered significant discounts for current GM customers and attractive lease deals for non-GM owners.

Inside, the Encore GX’s cabin provided the expected quality for a small SUV, though it fell short in some areas. The interior design wasn’t as clean as the exterior, and the analog gauges were hard to read due to small markings. The head-up display (HUD) vibrated on anything but smooth pavement, detracting from the overall refinement. Additionally, the fuel gauge indicator lights were difficult to see in direct sunlight. Despite these issues, the Encore GX’s cabin offered a decent level of comfort and functionality, though it didn’t quite justify its premium price tag.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 featured a rugged-looking exterior, with boxy fender flares, chiseled taillights, and a scowling front end that set it apart from previous generations and most other compact crossovers. This aggressive styling contributed to the perception that the RAV4 was more than just an ordinary vehicle. However, beneath the sheet metal, the RAV4 was based on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform, which it shared with other Toyota models like the Camry and Sienna. This platform provided a solid foundation, but it meant that the RAV4’s mechanical bits were more akin to a conventional car than a traditional SUV.

Toyota offered several options to enhance the RAV4’s appearance and functionality. The RAV4 Adventure model featured a retro Ice Edge (white) roof, orange interior accents, and matte black 18-inch wheels. The TRD Off-Road model added standard LED fog lights, dark gray exterior trim, red interior accents, and a front skid plate. Inside, the RAV4’s cabin included large rubberized knobs and door handles, which added a rugged touch and distinguished it from other Toyota models. While material quality was good on lower trims, it didn’t improve significantly on higher trims. Our TRD Off-Road test car had SofTex upholstery, which was lighter and more durable than leather, but real leather wasn’t available even on the top-tier RAV4 Limited trim.

The 2021 Buick Encore GX offered two turbocharged three-cylinder engines. The standard 1.2-liter engine produced 137 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 162 pound-feet of torque at 2,500 rpm, providing adequate acceleration for the 3,000-lb. SUV. However, the 1.3-liter engine was the preferred choice, delivering 155 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 174 pound-feet of torque at just 1,600 rpm. This engine was available with both FWD and AWD, depending on the trim level. Despite the added power, the Encore GX’s driving experience was best described as adequate, with enough power for freeway cruising but not much more. The FWD models featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT), while AWD models used a nine-speed automatic transmission. The ride quality was inconsistent, feeling too brittle over poorly maintained roads and too bouncy over bumps and dips. Despite Buick’s QuietTuning efforts, the cabin wasn’t particularly quiet. The Encore GX handled well on winding roads, but overall, it lacked the refinement expected of a premium-brand vehicle.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 came with a single engine option: a “Dynamic Force” 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and offered both FWD and AWD options. The engine achieved 40% thermal efficiency, a level typically found in racing engines, and loved to rev, with power peaking at 6,600 rpm. However, the transmission struggled to keep up, hesitating to shift and taking its time when it did. The steering was responsive but lacked feel, making for a videogame-like experience. The RAV4’s on-road driving dynamics were ordinary, but it excelled on the highway, with low cabin noise levels and a comfortable suspension. Toyota focused on off-road capability for the RAV4, with the Adventure and TRD Off-Road models featuring a torque-vectoring rear axle, 8.6 inches of ground clearance, and a 3,500-pound towing capacity. Despite these features, the RAV4’s off-road performance was limited by its lack of suspension articulation and shallow approach, departure, and breakover angles.

The 2021 Buick Encore GX offered a high seating position and supportive front seats, though they lacked lateral bolstering. The test vehicle featured a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, 8-way power-adjustable front passenger’s seat, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The back seat was less comfortable, with a low, flat bottom cushion and a reclined seatback angle. Interior storage was good, with a trunk capacity of 23.5 cubic feet, expandable to 50.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The test vehicle included a hands-free power liftgate and a fold-flat front passenger seat for carrying long items.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 provided ample headroom in both rows, thanks to its tall, upright roof. However, legroom was slightly behind some competitors. The front seats in the TRD Off-Road model were comfortable and form-fitting, but the rear seats had flat, hard cushions, making long trips less appealing. The RAV4 featured a 60/40 split-folding rear seat, but it didn’t slide fore and aft like some competitors. Cargo space was 37.6 cubic feet with the rear seats in place, which was above average but still behind the Honda CR-V. The RAV4’s interior included oversized knobs and steering-wheel controls, making them easy to use even with gloves on. However, the center-console storage was limited, and the cargo area lip was higher than in some competitors.

The 2021 Buick Encore GX Essence came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity for two devices, and Buick Connected Services with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The test vehicle also included a navigation system, natural voice recognition, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and a high-definition surround-view camera, thanks to the Advanced Technology Package. Wireless smartphone charging was part of the optional Convenience Package. Despite these features, the test car lacked the available 7-speaker Bose premium sound system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with quick response times, impressive voice recognition, and a simple interface.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 offered standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Most trim levels came with a 7-inch touchscreen, while the Limited model featured an 8-inch screen, and the RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid was available with a 9-inch screen. Up to five USB ports were available, including three for the front row and two for the back row. A JBL premium audio system was also an option. The infotainment system was easy to use, with a well-positioned touchscreen and clear graphics. However, it wasn’t particularly flashy, and the gasoline RAV4 didn’t offer a head-up display like the RAV4 Prime.

The 2021 Buick Encore GX came standard with Buick Driver Confidence, which included forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was standard on Select and Essence trims and optional on Preferred trim. Adaptive cruise control was available, along with Teen Driver technology and a Tire Fill Alert system. The adaptive cruise control’s stop-and-go function required manual reactivation after a few seconds of idling, and finding the right distance-management setting was challenging. The Encore GX earned a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), but the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) had not tested it.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 received a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the IIHS, with top scores in all crash tests and a “Superior” rating for front-crash prevention tech. However, it missed the highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating due to mixed headlight scores. The NHTSA gave the RAV4 a five-star overall rating, with four stars in frontal and rollover crash tests, and five stars in side crash tests. The standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 bundle included forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning with steering assist, automatic high beams, road-sign recognition, and Lane Tracing Assist. Higher trim levels added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, reverse automatic emergency braking, and park assist. A 360-degree camera system was also available.