Compare the2025 Buick Encore GXVS 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid

The Buick Encore GX has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Sportage Hybrid doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The Encore GX has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. Only the Sportage Hybrid EX/SX-Prestige offers a blind spot warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Encore GX has standard Rear Cross Traffic Alert, helping the driver avoid collisions. Only the Sportage Hybrid EX/SX-Prestige offers Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning.

Both the Encore GX and the Sportage Hybrid 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 and available around view monitors.

The Encore GX’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Sportage Hybrid’s (6/100,000 vs. 5/100,000).

There are over 34 percent more Buick dealers than there are Kia dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Encore GX’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Buick vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Buick third in reliability, above the industry average. With 38 more problems per 100 vehicles, Kia is ranked 8th.

Both the Encore GX and Sportage Hybrid have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. The Encore GX has a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The Encore GX has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Sportage Hybrid doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Buick Encore GX 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder AWD, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the Sportage Hybrid.

The Encore GX has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Sportage Hybrid doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Encore GX stops much shorter than the Sportage Hybrid:

For better traction, the Encore GX’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Sportage Hybrid (245/45R19 vs. 235/65R17).

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 Sportage LX HEV’s standard 65 series tires. The Encore GX’s optional tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Sportage Hybrid EX/SX-Prestige’s 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Encore GX has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Sportage LX HEV. The Encore GX’s optional 19-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the Sportage Hybrid EX/SX-Prestige.

The Encore GX has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Sportage Hybrid doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Encore GX AWD handles at .84 G’s, while the Sportage SX Prestige HEV AWD pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Encore GX’s turning circle is 1.7 feet tighter than the Sportage Hybrid’s (36.9 feet vs. 38.6 feet).

The Buick Encore GX may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 500 pounds less than the Kia Sportage Hybrid.

The Encore GX is 1 foot shorter than the Sportage Hybrid, making the Encore GX easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

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 Sportage Hybrid doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

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 Sportage Hybrid can’t be towed flat on the ground.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Buick service is better than Kia. J.D. Power ranks Buick third in service department satisfaction. With a 49% lower rating, Kia is ranked 24th.

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 Sportage Hybrid does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Encore GX’s front and rear power windows all open fully with one touch of the switches and its driver’s window also automatically closes, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Sportage Hybrid’s standard power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully. Only its driver’s window opens automatically. The Sportage Hybrid EX/SX-Prestige’s rear windows don’t open automatically.

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 Sportage Hybrid doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its 911 Connect can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

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 Sportage Hybrid only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle. Push Button Start is not available on the Sportage Hybrid EX/SX-Prestige.

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 Sportage Hybrid’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Consumer Reports rated the Encore GX’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the Sportage Hybrid’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

The Encore GX’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Kia charges extra for heated mirrors on the Sportage Hybrid.

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 Sportage Hybrid doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Insurance will cost less for the Encore GX owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Encore GX will cost $125 to $1710 less than the Sportage Hybrid over a five-year period.

The Encore GX will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Encore GX will retain 55.77% to 56.53% of its original price after five years, while the Sportage Hybrid only retains 52.49% to 53.39%.