Toyota RAV4 vs Buick Encore GX

The 2024 Buick Encore GX was renowned as one of the most aesthetically pleasing models in the Buick lineup. Inspired by the striking Wildcat concept from 2022, this refreshed model showcased a completely new front fascia. The sleek daytime running lights were elegantly positioned above the grille, while the angular LED lamps flanked it lower on both sides. The new Buick logo added a touch of modernity, and the top-tier Avenir trim boasted its unique grille adorned with chrome details. Although the rear design remained mostly unchanged from the 2023 model, the addition of new LED taillights in the upper trims added a sophisticated touch. The overall exterior, especially with the available 19-inch wheels, made the Encore GX a handsome contender.

The Buick offered an eye-catching palette of colors, straying from dull shades of grey and beige. Buyers could choose from vibrant hues like brilliant red, deep blue, or maroon, and even an almost-orange shade named Copper Ice Metallic. Some colors came with options for a black roof, mirrors, and roof rails, further enhancing the vehicle's visual appeal.

Inside, the Buick introduced a major change with a new 19-inch glass panel housing the digital gauge cluster and touchscreen, resulting in a tech-savvy look. However, some found the operation of this panel a bit clunky. While typical GM interior materials detracted somewhat with cheap-feeling plastics and limited color options to black or cream, the overall impression was still premium at this price point.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota RAV4 aimed for a rugged, tough appearance, sporting a perpetually harsh expression. The gray body cladding had an aggressive angular design, and the dual exhaust outlets hinted at unfulfilled performance promises. Upper trims featured fake skid plates, and the off-road versions, like the TRD Off-Road model, included robust utility-style roof racks.

Our TRD Off-Road test vehicle in Army Green exuded a no-nonsense attitude, even if this color wasn’t particularly appealing. With a base price of $38,295 plus a $1,350 destination charge, the model featured practical additions like a digital rearview mirror and Advanced Technology and Weather option packages, bringing the total to $41,925.

Overall, while the TRD Off-Road trim projected an adventurous stance, the interior leaned more towards functional than luxurious. With SofTex artificial leather upholstery, an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and practical features like heated and ventilated seats (with the optional Weather package), the RAV4 was geared towards outdoor enthusiasts seeking comfort and utility. Although not especially fancy, the RAV4's design prioritized practicality with myriad storage solutions and easy-clean surfaces.

The 2024 Buick Encore GX did not see any changes under the hood. It continued to offer a base 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine delivering 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, mated to a CVT. The Avenir and other trims could be equipped with a more robust 1.3-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine, producing 155 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Testing showed this engine offered decent responsiveness, achieving 0-60 mph in about nine seconds. While not particularly fast, the Encore GX managed well against its competitors. However, the transmission occasionally hesitated when power was demanded, a delay that could be unsettling in traffic situations.

The selectable AWD system was a notable feature, allowing drivers to manually engage AWD only when necessary, potentially saving fuel. However, some competitors, like the Honda HR-V, offered automatic AWD systems that operated without driver input. With a smooth-riding suspension, the Encore GX proved excellent for city driving, though it lacked the quick performance of some rivals.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota RAV4 featured a more powerful 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, generating 203 horsepower at 6,300 rpm and 184 pound-feet of torque at 5,000 rpm. To tap into this power, the engine needed high revs, which might not suit everyone's driving style. An eight-speed automatic transmission powered the front wheels, or all four with the optional torque-vectoring AWD system, standard on models like the TRD Off-Road.

The TRD Off-Road trim also included exclusive suspension tuning, an underbody skid plate, and all-terrain tires on 18-inch matte-black TRD alloy wheels. Multi-Terrain Select offered various driving modes (Normal, Snow, Mud & Sand, Rock & Dirt), although the ground clearance remained the same at 8.6 inches as other RAV4 models.

Through various driving conditions, from highway commutes to off-road trails, the TRD Off-Road performed well. It handled bumps and imperfections with ease thanks to its off-road suspension, but it wasn’t completely immune to scraping its lower front fascia in challenging terrains. While the engine's roar and the RAV4's noise levels at freeway speeds were drawbacks, its eight-speed automatic transmission and engine's reliability were redeeming factors.

The RAV4's official fuel economy was rated at 28 mpg in combined driving, with the test vehicle averaging 26.6 mpg even through light off-roading. Comparatively, the RAV4 Hybrid Woodland Edition offered significantly better fuel efficiency, rated at 37 mpg.

The 2024 Buick Encore GX, though a subcompact SUV, provided decent utility. It had a modest towing capacity of 1,000 pounds and featured an available hands-free liftgate, enhancing the ease of loading. Behind the rear seats, the Buick offered 23.5 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 50.2 cubic feet with the seats folded down. Impressively, folding the front seat allowed for accommodating items up to eight feet long.

Inside, the Encore GX presented options like heated seats, although ventilation was conspicuously absent. Standard seats included only two-way power adjustments, necessitating an upgrade to the Avenir trim or adding the Comfort package for eight-way adjustability. An optional seven-speaker Bose audio system added a touch of luxury.

On the other hand, the 2024 Toyota RAV4 focused heavily on practical utility, perfectly aligning with its recreational activity focus. The TRD Off-Road trim included durable SofTex artificial leather upholstery with an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, ideal for off-road enthusiasts. The optional Weather package offered heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and rain-sensing wipers, making the RAV4 ready for diverse weather conditions.

RAV4's seating comfortably accommodated four adults, with the capacity for five if necessary. The rear seats, though slightly low in seating, offered good comfort due to ample legroom and footroom, complemented by rear air conditioning vents and USB charging ports. The RAV4’s power liftgate revealed a sizeable cargo area of 37.6 cubic feet, which expanded to a competitive 69.8 cubic feet with the seats folded down, making it more spacious than the Encore GX.

For 2024, the Buick Encore GX featured an impressive 11-inch touchscreen paired with an 8-inch digital gauge cluster under a single glass pane. While initially appealing, the large screen expanse sometimes failed to utilize its real estate effectively, leading to a rather underwhelming user interface. Nevertheless, it provided wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and multiple connectivity options including USB-A, USB-C, a wireless charging pad, and a 120-volt outlet. The rear camera mirror was a standout, offering a wide-angle video feed for better rear visibility.

The simple infotainment system was straightforward, presenting essential features like smartphone mirroring, climate control, settings, camera views, and Wi-Fi hotspot capabilities. It was an ideal setup for those who appreciated simplicity over advanced tech features commonly found in other brands.

In contrast, the aging 2024 Toyota RAV4 sported the latest Toyota Audio Multimedia system, equipped with a standard 8-inch and optional 10.5-inch touchscreen display. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and several connected service plans like Service Connect and Safety Connect, which were free for ten years. Remote Connect and Drive Connect were complimentary for the first year, offering features like remote access and a cloud-based navigation system.

While the RAV4's infotainment system was comprehensive, it fell short in a few areas. The lack of a multi-panel home screen and issues with exiting Apple CarPlay required some adaptation. Additionally, the light font on a white background was challenging to read in bright conditions. The digital voice assistant worked well with some minor hitches, such as limited volume control and specific command issues.

A JBL premium audio system was an available upgrade, though our test vehicle didn’t include it. Standard speakers performed adequately but might not satisfy dedicated audiophiles. A notable feature was the optional digital rear-view mirror and the available panoramic surround-view camera that offered enhanced visibility.

The 2024 Buick Encore GX came equipped with the standard Driver Confidence package, which included a suite of driver assistance features such as lane-keeping assist, lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, a following distance indicator, and automatic high beams. The inclusion of blind-spot monitoring across all trims was commendable.

Optional safety features included rear park assist, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and a 360-degree camera. However, the lack of customizability for features like automatic braking was a downside. Unique to Buick were the Teen Driver and Buckle to Drive features, which promoted safe driving habits for new drivers.

The NHTSA gave the Encore GX a five-star overall safety rating, with high marks in frontal and side crash tests, and a four-star rating in the rollover category. Though untested by the IIHS for 2024, the previous year's model had good crashworthiness ratings and superior front crash prevention scores.

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 (TSS 2.5), which provided a suite of advanced driver assistance systems. Many found the adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist adequate but not flawless. The adaptive cruise control tended to brake too cautiously, and the lane-centering assist struggled on curvy roads.

The RAV4's loss of the IIHS Top Safety Pick award highlighted its shortcomings in the latest safety tests. It received a Marginal rating for the small overlap frontal impact and an Acceptable rating for the side impact test, indicating the vehicle's aging design compared to newer safety standards.