Compare the2022 Hyundai KonaVS 2021 Buick Encore GX

The Kona’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Encore GX doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

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

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

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

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Kona is 3.8% to 4.9% less likely to roll over than the Encore GX.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, with its optional vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its available headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Kona the rating of “Top Pick” for 2021, a rating granted to only 110 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Encore GX has not been tested, yet.

The Kona comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Encore GX’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Hyundai’s powertrain warranty covers the Kona 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Buick covers the Encore GX. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Encore GX ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The Kona’s corrosion warranty is 1 year and unlimited miles longer than the Encore GX’s (7/unlimited vs. 6/100,000).

Hyundai pays for scheduled maintenance on the Kona for 3 years and 36,000 miles. Hyundai will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Buick doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Encore GX.

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the Kona’s engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the Encore GX’s camshafts. If the Encore GX’s belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Kona has a standard 150-amp alternator. The Encore GX’s 130-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Kona’s reliability 37 points higher than the Encore GX.

The Kona’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 10 more horsepower (147 vs. 137) than the Encore GX’s standard 1.2 turbo 3-cylinder. The Kona N Line/Limited’s standard 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder produces 40 more horsepower (195 vs. 155) and 21 lbs.-ft. more torque (195 vs. 174) than the Encore GX’s optional 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the Kona gets better fuel mileage than the Encore GX:

The Kona offers an available sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is more internally efficient than a CVT but just as easy to drive. The Encore GX doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

For better stopping power the Kona AWD/1.6T’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Encore GX:

The Kona stops shorter than the Encore GX:

For better traction, the Kona N Line/Limited’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Encore GX (235/45R18 vs. 225/55R18).

The Kona N Line/Limited’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Encore GX’s 55 series tires.

For superior ride and handling, the Kona AWD has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Buick Encore GX has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

The Kona AWD has front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Kona AWD flat and controlled during cornering. The Encore GX’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The Kona SEL AWD handles at .88 G’s, while the Encore GX Essence AWD pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Kona executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Encore GX AWD (26.9 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 27.8 seconds @ .6 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Kona’s turning circle is 2.6 feet tighter than the Encore GX’s (34.8 feet vs. 37.4 feet).

The Kona is 5.8 inches shorter than the Encore GX, making the Kona easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Kona has .6 inches more front legroom, 1.4 inches more front hip room, .1 inches more front shoulder room, 4.7 inches more rear hip room and .9 inches more rear shoulder room than the Encore GX.

The front step up height for the Kona is 1.5 inches lower than the Encore GX (16” vs. 17.5”). The Kona’s rear step up height is 1.9 inches lower than the Encore GX’s (16.1” vs. 18”).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Kona easier. The Kona’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 27.5 inches, while the Encore GX’s liftover is 30.5 inches.

The Kona’s optional front power windows both open or close with one touch of the switches. The Encore GX’s front passenger window doesn’t close automatically.

The Kona has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The Encore GX doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

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

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Kona third among small suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Encore GX isn’t in the top three.

The Kona was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Five/10Best Trucks” in 2019. The Encore GX has never been a Car and Driver “Top Five/10Best Truck” pick.