Buick Encore GX vs. Hyundai KONA
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Buick Encore GX and Hyundai KONA contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Buick Encore GX and the Hyundai KONA.
When we compare the Buick Encore GX's and the Hyundai KONA's specifications and ratings, the Buick Encore GX has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing and typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars. The Hyundai KONA has the advantage in the areas of resale value, interior volume and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Buick Encore GX's and the Hyundai KONA's specifications and ratings, the Hyundai KONA is a better car than the Buick Encore GX.
Pricing: A used 2026 Buick Encore GX ranges from $24,059 to $32,667 while a used 2026 Hyundai KONA is priced between $28,173 to $32,265. For a new model, the Buick Encore GX's price is between $26,018 and $35,386, with the Hyundai KONA priced between $27,435 and $36,425.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Buick Encore GX loses 45.9 percent of its value and the Hyundai KONA loses 42.2 percent of its value. This means the Hyundai KONA retains 3.7 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Buick Encore GX.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Buick Encore GX’s base engine makes 137 horsepower, and the Hyundai KONA base engine makes 147 horsepower.
Passenger Space Comparison: While both models are crossover/subcompact SUVs, the Hyundai KONA has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, front leg room, rear head room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, the Buick Encore GX has higher safety ratings than the Hyundai KONA, with an average rating of 5 out of 5 Stars compared to 4.67 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$26,018 - $35,386
Starting MSRP:
$26,100
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
$40,750
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
$26,100 - $49,900
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$27,435 - $36,425
Starting MSRP:
$25,350
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Subcompact SUVs)
$27,500
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Subcompact SUVs)
$21,600 - $38,900
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$29,166
Price Range:
$24,059 - $32,667
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
$45,657
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
$29,166 - $57,767
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$30,057
Price Range:
$28,173 - $32,265
Category Avg Price:
(Subcompact SUVs)
$32,681
Category Avg Price Range:
(Subcompact SUVs)
$28,663 - $44,719
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
$12,000
Depreciation %:
46%
Resale Value $:
$14,100
Residual Value %:
54%
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
49.8%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
46% - 54.2%
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
$10,844
Depreciation %:
42.8%
Resale Value $:
$14,506
Residual Value %:
57.2%
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Subcompact SUVs)
42.5%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Subcompact SUVs)
34.2% - 47.6%
Buick Encore GX Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
8.1 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
Hyundai KONA Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
8.3 / 10
Safety:
9.7 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Buick Encore GX
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
13.9
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
13.4 - 13.9
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Hyundai KONA
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Subcompact SUVs)
12.5
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Subcompact SUVs)
9.1 - 13.7
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Buick Encore GX Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 68Ranking
1 out of / 12Ranking
1 out of / 9Ranking
2 out of / 60Ranking
2 out of / 12Ranking
3 out of / 12Ranking
3 out of / 12Ranking
5 out of / 12Ranking
5 out of / 12Ranking
7 out of / 12Ranking
8 out of / 12Ranking
8 out of / 12Ranking
10 out of / 68Ranking
12 out of / 12Ranking
26 out of / 68Ranking
29 out of / 68Ranking
31 out of / 68Ranking
50 out of / 68Ranking
52 out of / 68Ranking
53 out of / 68Ranking
58 out of / 68Ranking
67 out of / 68Hyundai KONA Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 21Ranking
3 out of / 21Ranking
4 out of / 21Ranking
5 out of / 21Ranking
6 out of / 21Ranking
6 out of / 21Ranking
7 out of / 66Ranking
8 out of / 21Ranking
8 out of / 14Ranking
9 out of / 54Ranking
10 out of / 21Ranking
13 out of / 66Ranking
16 out of / 21Ranking
18 out of / 66Ranking
31 out of / 66Ranking
35 out of / 66Ranking
39 out of / 66Ranking
40 out of / 66Ranking
41 out of / 66Ranking
57 out of / 66Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Flex Fuel, Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Buick Encore GX Trim Levels
Avenir, Preferred, Sport Touring
Hyundai KONA Trim Levels
Limited, SE, SEL Premium, SEL Sport
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
10 years / 100000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
4.67 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
137 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque:
162 foot-lbs @ 2500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.045 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
147 hp @ 6200 rpm
Torque:
132 foot-lbs @ 4500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.049 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
1.2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
3
Transmission:
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT Automatic)
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
Not yet available
Range (city/hwy):
Not yet available
Recommended Fuel Type:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT Automatic)
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
Not yet available
Range (city/hwy):
Not yet available
Recommended Fuel Type:
Not yet available
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Roof Rack:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
Available
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.7 inches
Front Leg Room:
40.9 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.4 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.1 inches
Rear Leg Room:
36 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
53.6 inches
Cargo Space:
23.5 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
50.2 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
117.8 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.9 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.7 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.8 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.3 inches
Rear Leg Room:
38.2 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
55.2 inches
Cargo Space:
25.5 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
63.7 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
126.7 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3023 lbs
Width:
71.4 inches
Height:
64.1 inches
Length:
171.2 inches
Wheelbase:
102.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
7.5 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3005 lbs
Width:
71.9 inches
Height:
62.2 inches
Length:
171.3 inches
Wheelbase:
104.7 inches
Ground Clearance:
6.7 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
225/55R18
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
215/60R17
Exterior Colors
Black
Ebony Twilight Metallic
Blue
Ocean Blue Metallic
Gray
Moonstone Gray Metallic
Orange
Copper Ice Metallic
Red
Brilliant Red
White
Summit White
Green
Not available
Yellow
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Abyss Black Pearl
Blue
Denim Blue Pearl
Gray
Cyber Gray Metallic / Ecotronic Gray Pearl
Orange
Soultronic Orange Pearl
Red
Ultimate Red Metallic
White
Atlas White
Green
Mirage Green
Yellow
Neoteric Yellow
Interior Colors
Beige
Whisper Beige w/ Ebony Accents
Black
Ebony
Gray
Not available
Interior Colors
Beige
Not available
Black
Black
Gray
Gray
