There are very few classes or segments in the global automotive industry that are as tightly packed with strong options as the compact crossover SUV class. Arguably, the Toyota RAV4 can be considered one of the charter members, but the rest of the industry has quickly closed the gap. Customers looking for a new crossover SUV of this kind will almost certainly spend some time comparing and contrasting the 2018 Toyota RAV4 vs. 2018 Buick Encore. There is no doubt our friends at Buick have built a great vehicle with in the Encore, but the 2018 Toyota RAV4 has so much more to offer in terms of performance, convenience and overall capability.
Right off the bat, the 2018 Toyota RAV4 moves ahead of the Buick Encore when it comes to available space. Both crossover SUVs have two rows of seats with the ability to seat up to five passengers. However, the 2018 RAV4 offers more generous measurements for legroom across the board, but certainly for riders in the back seat. This disparity is very much on display when people are sitting in the back and space is required for their bags and other equipment. At full capacity, the 2018 Toyota RAV4 has more than 38 cubic-feet of space to use. Buick Encore owners barely clear this mark when its interior is properly configured for maximum cargo space.
2018 RAV4 vs. 2018 Encore: Performance Specs
Each of the available trim grades of the 2018 RAV4 for sale at Heritage Toyota use the same reliable, powerful and efficient engine that has appeared in previous models. Under the hood of each 2018 RAV4 is a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine making 176 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque. Additionally, the all-new Adventure trim for the 2018 Toyota RAV4 comes with a towing package, including a wiring harness and hitch. When properly equipped the 2018 RAV4 Adventure can pull up to 3,500 pounds.
By comparison, the 2018 Buick Encore offers a pair of turbocharged engines. Trims at the beginning of the Encore trim ladder use a turbocharged, 1.4-liter, four-cylinder engine and higher versions have an up-tuned version of the engine installed. Neither powertrain matches the performance output of the 2018 Toyota RAV4.
