Compare the2023 Nissan KicksVS 2023 Buick Encore GX

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Kicks has standard Rear Automatic Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Encore GX doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Kicks has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the Encore GX’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Kicks has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Rear cross-path warning costs extra on the Encore GX.

The Kicks SV/SR’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 Kicks and the Encore GX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee 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, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available daytime running lights and around view monitors.

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Kicks is 2.4% to 3% less likely to roll over than the Encore GX.

The Kicks’ corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Encore GX’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the Kicks’ 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.

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

The Kicks SV/SR’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Encore GX are solid, not vented.

The Kicks stops shorter than the Encore GX:

The Kicks SR handles at .82 G’s, while the Encore GX AWD pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Kicks’ turning circle is 2.7 feet tighter than the Encore GX’s (34.1 feet vs. 36.8 feet).

The Nissan Kicks may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 350 to 500 pounds less than the Buick Encore GX.

The Kicks has .7 inches more front headroom, 2.8 inches more front legroom, .4 inches more rear headroom and 1.6 inches more rear hip room than the Encore GX.

The front step up height for the Kicks is 2 inches lower than the Encore GX (15.5” vs. 17.5”). The Kicks’ rear step up height is 2.1 inches lower than the Encore GX’s (15.9” vs. 18”).

The Kicks has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Encore GX with its rear seat up (25.3 vs. 23.5 cubic feet). The Kicks has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Encore GX with its rear seat folded (53.1 vs. 50.2 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Kicks easier. The Kicks’ cargo hatch lift-over height is 27.6 inches, while the Encore GX’s liftover is 30.5 inches.

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

The Kicks’ front power windows open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Encore GX’s front passenger window doesn’t close automatically.

The Kicks 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 both the Nissan Kicks and the Buick Encore GX, based on reliability, safety and performance.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Kicks 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.