Buick Encore vs Toyota RAV4

The Toyota RAV4 is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 43 mpg combined versus 31 mpg for the Buick Encore, a 12 mpg advantage and costs about $550 less per year to fuel.

Across 5 measured categories, the Toyota RAV4 leads in 5. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.

2015–2026

Buick Encore

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD · 47 configurations

31mpg combined (best)
All Buick Encore specs

2015–2026

Toyota RAV4

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 72 configurations

43mpg combined (best)
All Toyota RAV4 specs

Head-to-head specifications

MetricBuick EncoreToyota RAV4
Best combined MPG31 mpg43 mpg
Best city MPG30 mpg47 mpg
Best highway MPG33 mpg40 mpg
Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year$2,000$1,450
Lowest CO2 output288 g/mi72 g/mi
Engines offeredSIDI, SIDI; FFV, 1.4, SIDI; Stop-StartSIDI & PFI; Hybrid, SIDI & PFI, SIDI & PFI; with Stop-Start, SIDI & PFI; PHEV
TransmissionsAutomatic 9-spd, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Automatic (S6)Automatic (AV-S6), Automatic (variable gear ratios), Automatic (S8)
DrivetrainsAll-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel DriveFront-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Fuel typesRegular, Gasoline or E85Regular, Regular Gas and Electricity
EPA classSmall Sport Utility Vehicle 2WDSmall Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Years covered2015–20262015–2026
Configurations on record4772

Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.

Encore vs RAV4: common questions

Which is better on gas, the Buick Encore or the Toyota RAV4?

The Toyota RAV4 is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 43 mpg combined versus 31 mpg for the Buick Encore, a 12 mpg advantage and costs about $550 less per year to fuel.

Which costs less to run per year?

By EPA estimates at 15,000 miles a year, the Toyota RAV4 runs about $1,450 a year in fuel at its most efficient configuration, versus about $2,000 for the Buick Encore — a difference of roughly $550 per year.

What engines do the Encore and RAV4 offer?

Buick Encore: SIDI, SIDI; FFV, 1.4, SIDI; Stop-Start. Toyota RAV4: SIDI & PFI; Hybrid, SIDI & PFI, SIDI & PFI; with Stop-Start, SIDI & PFI; PHEV.

Are they in the same vehicle class?

The EPA classifies the Buick Encore as Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD and the Toyota RAV4 as Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, so they aren't a like-for-like match on size.

More Encore comparisons

Comparison id: buick-encore-vs-toyota-rav4