Compare the2026 Buick Encore GXVS 2026 Nissan Kicks

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

© 1999 - 2025Advanta-STAR Automotive Research, all rights reserved. This vehicle comparison and all of the content in it are provided only by license from Advanta-STAR Automotive Research Corporation of America (“Advanta-STAR”). If you are not a legally licensed user of this vehicle comparison, it is against federal law to access it, copy it, forward it, or use it in any manner whatsoever. Any unauthorized use of this vehicle comparison is a violation of U.S. and international law and is punishable criminally and civilly. Removal of this watermark/notification without prior written license and approval received from Advanta-STAR is an agreement, understanding, and/or stipulation by the person(s), entities, agents, attorneys, and any other persons involved in the removal of this watermark/notification (including but not limited to Search Optics, LLC and any and all parent entities, sister entities, and subsidiary entities of Search Optics, LLC and/or any other entity, agent, attorney, and persons related in any manner to Search Optics, LLC) to: 1) an agreed upon amount of liquidated monetary damages of a minimum of $1,250,000.00 US Dollars in favor of Advanta-STAR; 2) the jurisdiction and enforcement of any legal claims associated with this matter asserted by Advanta-STAR in the United States Federal District Court in Portand, Oregon; and 3) service of process of any legal claims asserted by Advanta-STAR associated with this matter may be accomplished by First-Class Postage by the United States Postal Service or comparable service. QON21-4MAER 2a06:98c0:3600::103 2025/11/26

The Buick Encore GX offers an optional HD Surround Vision and it also offers an optional rear camera washer to make backing always safe, regardless of road dirt or grime, while the Nissan Kicks doesn’t offer a camera washer, requiring manual cleaning.

Both the Encore GX and the Kicks have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Buick Encore GX is safer than the Nissan Kicks:

	Encore GX	Kicks
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	3 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	3 Stars
HIC	185	476
Neck Injury Risk	24%	43.8%
Neck Stress	190 lbs.	476 lbs.
Neck Compression	15 lbs.	76 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	3 Stars
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.7 inches
Neck Injury Risk	29%	67.5%
Neck Stress	153 lbs.	253 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Buick Encore GX is safer than the Nissan Kicks:

	Encore GX	Kicks
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	91	124
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	185	206
Spine Acceleration	41 G’s	56 G’s
Hip Force	517 lbs.	669 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	38 G’s	48 G’s
Hip Force	591 lbs.	797 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Warranty

The Encore GX’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Kicks’ (6 vs. 5 years).

Reliability

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Encore GX has a standard 760-amp battery. The Kicks’ 510-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Encore GX first among small suvs in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The Kicks isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Buick vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Buick second in reliability, above the industry average. With 72 more problems per 100 vehicles, Nissan is ranked 23rd.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Buick vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Buick 1 place higher in reliability than Nissan.

Engine

The Encore GX’s standard 1.2 turbo 3-cylinder produces 22 lbs.-ft. more torque (162 vs. 140) than the Kicks’ 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Encore GX’s optional 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder produces 14 more horsepower (155 vs. 141) and 34 lbs.-ft. more torque (174 vs. 140) than the Kicks’ 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Buick Encore GX 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder is faster than the Nissan Kicks:

	Encore GX	Kicks
Zero to 60 MPH	8.9 sec	10.4 sec
Quarter Mile	16.8 sec	17.8 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	82.1 MPH	79.7 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

Regenerative brakes improve the Encore GX’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Kicks doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The Encore GX has 1.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Kicks’ standard fuel tank (13.2 vs. 11.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Encore GX’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Kicks:

	Encore GX	Kicks
Front Rotors	11.81 inches	11.6 inches

The Encore GX stops much shorter than the Kicks:

	Encore GX	Kicks
70 to 0 MPH	174 feet	176 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	117 feet	130 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	138 feet	140 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Encore GX has larger standard tires than the Kicks (225/55R18 vs. 215/65R16). The Encore GX’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Kicks (245/45R19 vs. 225/45R19).

The Encore GX’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Kicks S’ standard 65 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Encore GX has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Kicks S.

The Encore GX offers an optional space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Kicks; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

Suspension and Handling

The Encore GX AWD handles at .81 G’s, while the Kicks SR pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

Chassis

The front grille of the Encore GX uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Kicks doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Encore GX uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Kicks doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Encore GX AWD is quieter than the Kicks SR AWD:

	Encore GX	Kicks
Full-Throttle	73 dB	77 dB
70 MPH Cruising	67 dB	73 dB

Passenger Space

The Encore GX has .7 inches more front shoulder room, 1.5 inches more rear legroom and .6 inches more rear hip room than the Kicks.

Cargo Capacity

The Encore GX’s cargo area is larger than the Kicks’ in almost every dimension:

	Encore GX	Kicks
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	31.8”/60.8”	32.4”/63.9”
Max Width	53”	49.5”
Min Width	40.7”	40.3”
Height	32”	31.8”

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Encore GX offers an optional power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button, or on the Encore GX Avenir, by just kicking your foot under the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The Kicks doesn’t offer a power liftgate.

Towing

The Encore GX has a 1000 lbs. towing capacity. The Kicks has no towing capacity.

The Encore GX AWD can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Encore GX can be unhitched and driven around locally. The Kicks can’t be towed flat on the ground.

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Buick service is better than Nissan. J.D. Power ranks Buick 9th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 2% lower rating, Nissan is ranked 10th.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the Encore GX Avenir, the memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for both. Each keyless remote activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The Kicks doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Encore GX Avenir’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Kicks doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Encore GX’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Kicks does not have an oil pressure gauge.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Encore GX’s available exterior PIN entry system. The Kicks doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

The Encore GX’s standard Keyless Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, unlock the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Push Button Start standard on the Kicks only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle. Push Button Start is not available on the Kicks SV/SR.

The Encore GX’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Kicks’ power window and power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Encore GX Avenir’s optional wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Kicks’ intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

The Encore GX’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Nissan offers heated mirrors for extra charge, but only on the Kicks SV/SR.

When the Encore GX Avenir is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Kicks’ mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Encore GX Avenir’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Kicks doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

With standard voice command, the Encore GX offers the driver hands free control of the radio and the navigation computer by simply speaking. The Kicks doesn’t offer a voice control system.

The Encore GX Avenir has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Kicks doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Buick Encore GX, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Nissan Kicks isn't recommended.

See Available Inventory