Compare the2024 Kia SportageVS 2024 Buick Encore GX

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Sportage Prestige has standard Parking Collision Avoidance-Reverse that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Encore GX doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

Both the Sportage and Encore GX have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Sportage EX/SX/Prestige/X-Line/X-Pro has Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Encore GX’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

The Sportage’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 Sportage and the Encore GX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front 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, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems and around view monitors.

The Kia Sportage achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2024 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The Encore GX is not a “Top Safety Pick” for 2024.

The Sportage 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.

Kia’s powertrain warranty covers the Sportage 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.

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the Sportage’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 Sportage 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 Sportage’s reliability 13 points higher than the Encore GX.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Buick vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia first in reliability, above the industry average. With 2 more problems per 100 vehicles, Buick is ranked second.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Buick vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Kia 2 places higher in reliability than Buick.

The Sportage’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 50 more horsepower (187 vs. 137) and 16 lbs.-ft. more torque (178 vs. 162) than the Encore GX’s standard 1.2 turbo 3-cylinder. The Sportage’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 32 more horsepower (187 vs. 155) and 4 lbs.-ft. more torque (178 vs. 174) than the Encore GX’s optional 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Kia Sportage is faster than the Buick Encore GX 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder:

The Sportage has 1.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Encore GX (14.3 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Sportage has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Encore GX. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

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

For better traction, the Sportage has larger tires than the Encore GX (235/65R17 vs. 225/55R18).

For superior ride and handling, the Kia Sportage 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 rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

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

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Sportage’s wheelbase is 6.3 inches longer than on the Encore GX (108.5 inches vs. 102.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Sportage is 2.6 inches wider in the front and 2.1 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Encore GX.

The Sportage X-Pro Prestige handles at .84 G’s, while the Encore GX Avenir AWD pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the Sportage has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Encore GX (8.3 vs. 7.5 inches), allowing the Sportage to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Sportage has .5 inches more front legroom, 2.9 inches more front hip room, 2.1 inches more front shoulder room, 1.3 inches more rear headroom, 5.3 inches more rear legroom, 2.7 inches more rear hip room and 2 inches more rear shoulder room than the Encore GX.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Sportage’s rear seats recline. The Encore GX’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Sportage has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Encore GX with its rear seat up (39.6 vs. 23.5 cubic feet). The Sportage has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Encore GX with its rear seat folded (74.1 vs. 50.2 cubic feet).

The Sportage’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Encore GX’s (2500 vs. 1000 pounds).

Standard Trailer Stability Assist on the Sportage uses the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Encore GX doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Sportage EX/SX/Prestige/X-Line/X-Pro’s front power windows both open or close with one touch of the switches. The Encore GX’s front passenger window doesn’t close automatically.

On a hot day the Sportage’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Encore GX can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Sportage X-Pro to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Encore GX doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Sportage Prestige keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Encore GX doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

Both the Sportage and the Encore GX offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Sportage has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Encore GX doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

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

The Kia Sportage outsold the Buick Encore GX by over two to one during 2023.