Buick Envista vs Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid

The 2024 Buick Envista, while sharing its platform with the Chevy Trax, took a distinct styling path. Its sloping roofline gave it a "crossover coupe" appearance, reminiscent of more upscale models like the BMW X2, X4, and X6. Although a more traditional roofline might have improved rear visibility, the design was deemed acceptable. The Envista's front-end styling, inspired by the Buick Wildcat EV concept, featured a split lighting design with thin daytime running lights above and real headlights positioned vertically beside the grille. This sleek design was a first for Buick, setting the Envista apart from models like the Envision and Encore GX, which received similar styling as part of mid-cycle refreshes. The interior, while similar to the Trax, offered a more streamlined look with softer materials, though some textures felt artificial. Despite being an entry-level vehicle, the Envista's cabin was a step up from the Trax, offering features like a flat-bottom steering wheel and an eight-way power driver's seat standard in Canada.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid was available in Canada exclusively with the Sport design, including the base SE, XSE, and the new GR Sport trims. The sixth-generation RAV4 maintained the same footprint as its predecessor but featured buffer bumpers that extended the length, particularly in the GR Sport trim. The RAV4's design embraced a boxy, truck-like presence, with square lines and bulging fenders reminiscent of the Highlander. The Sport trims added gloss black accents and racier elements, especially in the GR Sport, which showcased red brake calipers, a large rear wing, and a wide mesh grille. Inside, the RAV4 offered a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a touchscreen system, with the GR Sport featuring red stitching and unique badging. The interior design was more streamlined, with a wide centre console housing a mechanical gear shifter or a shift-by-wire setup in higher trims. The RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid provided a spirited ride without sacrificing comfort, thanks to a strengthened chassis and enhanced suspension.

The 2024 Buick Envista featured a 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine, producing 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. This powertrain, shared with the Trax, offered a refined driving experience, delivering power smoothly. Unlike its predecessor, the Buick Encore, the Envista did not offer an all-wheel-drive option, differentiating it from the Encore GX. The Envista's suspension included a torsion-beam rear setup for base models, while models with 19-inch wheels received a Buick-exclusive Watts Link rear suspension, enhancing ride quality. The front suspension was a MacPherson strut setup with Buick-specific tuning to reduce road noise. During testing, the Envista handled bumps well but felt unsettled on less-than-perfect roads. Despite this, the Envista provided a quieter and more comfortable ride than the Trax, with adequate acceleration for highway merges.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid boasted an updated 2.5-litre inline four-cylinder engine, producing 186 horsepower, paired with a larger 22.7-kwh battery pack. This setup increased the RAV4's power to 324 horsepower, making it the most powerful RAV4 to date. The all-wheel-drive system featured a large front motor and a smaller rear motor, providing a seamless transition of power. In EV mode, the RAV4 offered a range of 80 kilometres, ideal for quiet city driving. The RAV4's performance was enhanced by a strengthened chassis and improved suspension, providing a spirited ride without compromising comfort. The GR Sport trim, with its lower ground clearance and 20-inch wheels, offered improved handling over rough terrain, thanks to beefier suspension braces and damping enhancements. Despite its weight, the RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid maintained a comfortable ride, with the GR Sport trim offering a sportier driving experience.

The 2024 Buick Envista was 36 centimetres longer than the outgoing Buick Encore, with a 14.5-centimetre wheelbase stretch. This increase in size resulted in more interior space, with rear-seat legroom growing by 7.6 cm and shoulder room increasing by 5 cm. However, the coupe-like design reduced headroom, particularly for second-row passengers. The Envista's seats were comfortable, and features like a power moonroof and power liftgate were available on higher trims. Despite its car-like design, the Envista offered good outward visibility, making it easy to manoeuvre in tight spaces. Cargo space was limited, with 586 litres available with the rear seats up and 1,189 litres with the seats folded, less than the Trax and other competitors.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid maintained similar dimensions to its predecessor, with clever storage features optimizing the interior space. The RAV4 offered comfortable seating for four passengers, with adequate rear legroom of 960 millimetres. The interior featured multiple storage shelves and deep door pockets, accommodating various items. The cargo area, however, was reduced to 951 litres due to the PHEV system, with a total of 1,798 litres available with the rear seats folded. The RAV4's interior was well-equipped, with features like power-adjustable and heated front seats, USB ports, and a wireless device charger available on higher trims.

The 2024 Buick Envista came standard with an 11-inch touchscreen and an 8-inch digital instrument cluster, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless phone charging, and Wi-Fi connectivity. The user interface was similar to the Trax, with easy-to-use controls and retained buttons for climate and audio settings. However, the centre stack's tilt towards the driver made controls a bit of a reach for passengers. While the Envista lacked some advanced tech features, it offered a good amount of standard equipment for its price range.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid featured a new 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and an enhanced 10.5-inch touchscreen system, with a larger 12.9-inch touchscreen available on top trims. The touchscreen offered customizable tiles and a quick menu for easy access to settings. The RAV4's new operating system, Arene, provided improved graphics and responsiveness, with a subscription-based Voice Assistant for various commands. The system also allowed for locating chargers along routes and managing the plug-in hybrid system's settings.

The 2024 Buick Envista's crash-test ratings were unavailable at the time of publication. However, it came equipped with standard driver assist features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning. In Canada, additional features like adaptive cruise control and blind spot monitoring were standard, providing a comprehensive safety package for its price range.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid included Toyota Safety Sense 4.0, offering a wide range of driver assistance features. These included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert, adaptive cruise control, and blind spot monitoring. The system's enhancements improved detection and responsiveness, contributing to the RAV4's strong safety record. A surround-view camera system was available on higher trims, aiding in parking and manoeuvring.