Encore GX vs Kona
Rivals in the subcompact suv class rarely match spec for spec, and the Encore GX and the Kona are no exception. Of the 4 areas we compared, the Kona wins 1. If one area explains the result, it’s space & practicality.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance Trade-off
- Fuel Economy & Range Tie
- Space & Practicality Kona wins
- Off-road & Towing Tie
- Engine & Performance1.8
- Space & Practicality4.9
- Engine & Performance1.3
- Space & Practicality7.6
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
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The Kona has 27% more maximum cargo space
On this line of the spec sheet, the Kona is in a different league: 63.7 cu ft, next to 50.2 cu ft for the Encore GX. Maximum cargo space with the seats folded matters when you move furniture, bikes or bulky gear.
-
The Encore GX has 30 lb-ft more torque
For torque, the Encore GX leads by a wide margin: 162 lb-ft versus 132 lb-ft. Electrified powertrains deliver torque instantly, so compare torque figures alongside the powertrain type.
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The Kona has 8.5% more cargo space
The difference is minor (25.5 cu ft against 23.5 cu ft), but if you’re splitting hairs, the Kona wins it. The Kona’s larger cargo area makes family trips and big shopping runs easier.
-
The Kona has 10 hp more power
The Encore GX comes close with 137 hp; the Kona does slightly better with 147 hp. Power is only part of the story; weight, gearing and torque delivery shape how quick a car feels.
Design & Size
Dimensionally, these two are near twins.
Dimensions
| Spec | Encore GX | Kona |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 171.4 in | 171.5 in |
| Width (no mirrors) | N/A (not specified) | 71.9 in |
| Height | N/A (not specified) | 62.4 in |
| Wheelbase | 102.2 in | 104.7 in |
Engine & Performance
Trade-off
The engine & performance section doesn’t produce a winner so much as a choice: 30 lb-ft more torque (Encore GX) or 10 hp more power (Kona). For engine & performance, there’s no wrong answer, only a different emphasis.
Torque
Encore GX: 162 lb-ft Kona: 132 lb-ft More torque means stronger pulling from low speeds, which you feel when accelerating from a stop or climbing grades.
Total system output
Encore GX: 137 hp Kona: 147 hp More power helps with merging, overtaking and climbing hills, especially with passengers and luggage on board.
Fuel Economy & Range
Too close to call
Side by side, the fuel economy & range figures for the Encore GX and the Kona barely differ. So fuel economy & range is a non-factor here; move on to the areas where they actually differ.
Space & Practicality
Kona leads
The Kona clearly takes the space & practicality round. Here the Kona offers 27% more maximum cargo space. Check the shape of the load floor too: a flat floor can matter as much as the number. Anyone shopping mainly on space & practicality should start with the Kona.
Cargo (seats folded)
Encore GX: 50.2 cu ft Kona: 63.7 cu ft The Kona can swallow more with the seats down, which makes it more versatile for occasional big loads.
Cargo (behind rear seats)
Encore GX: 23.5 cu ft Kona: 25.5 cu ft Cargo figures are measured in different ways by different makers, so small gaps may not show in practice.
Off-road & Towing
Too close to call
Evenly matched is the fairest summary of the off-road & towing section. On off-road & towing alone, you can’t go far wrong with either.
Safety & Tech
The safety & tech entries below are descriptive rather than numeric. Read them side by side to see where the Encore GX and the Kona part ways.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | Encore GX | Kona |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Gas | Gas |
| Engine | 1.2L turbo I3 | 2.0L I4 |
| Total system output | 137 hp | 147 hp (winner) |
| Torque | 162 lb-ft (winner) | 132 lb-ft |
| Transmission | CVT | IVT (CVT) |
| Drivetrain | FWD (AWD available) | FWD (AWD available) |
Fuel Economy & Range
| Spec | Encore GX | Kona |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined)EPA estimate where available | 30 mpg | 31 mpg |
| Fuel economy (city) | 30 mpg | N/A (not specified) |
| Fuel economy (highway) | 31 mpg | N/A (not specified) |
Space & Practicality
| Spec | Encore GX | Kona |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Cargo (behind rear seats) | 23.5 cu ft | 25.5 cu ft (winner) |
| Cargo (seats folded) | 50.2 cu ft | 63.7 cu ft (winner) |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | Encore GX | Kona |
|---|---|---|
| AWD / 4WD available | Yes | Yes |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | Encore GX | Kona |
|---|---|---|
| Largest touchscreen | N/A (not specified) | 12.3 in |
| Driver-assist suite | Buick Driver Confidence | Hyundai SmartSense |
| Basic warranty | 3 yr / 36,000 mi | 5 yr / 60,000 mi |
Dimensions
| Spec | Encore GX | Kona |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 171.4 in | 171.5 in |
| Width (no mirrors) | N/A (not specified) | 71.9 in |
| Height | N/A (not specified) | 62.4 in |
| Wheelbase | 102.2 in | 104.7 in |
Price
| Spec | Encore GX | Kona |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | $25,940 | N/A (not specified) |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Encore GX if…
- you want more pulling power from low speeds (162 lb-ft vs 132 lb-ft of torque)
- you trust Buick and want to keep things familiar
Choose the Kona if…
- you move bulky items now and then (63.7 cu ft vs 50.2 cu ft maximum cargo)
- you haul strollers, luggage or sports gear every week (25.5 cu ft vs 23.5 cu ft)
- you want more power (147 hp vs 137 hp)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the Encore GX or the Kona?
The Kona makes more sense overall. Consider the alternative only if you’d rather have 30 lb-ft more torque on the Encore GX.
Which is larger, the Encore GX or the Kona?
The Encore GX and the Kona are so close in size that you’d struggle to tell them apart on dimensions alone.
Executive Summary
Cross-brand comparisons are where I find the real differences in philosophy, and the Encore GX versus the Kona shows that nicely. The biggest reason I lean toward the Kona is simple: it has 27% more maximum cargo space. Plus, the Kona gets 10 hp more power, which I wouldn’t overlook. I don’t want to sell the Encore GX short, though: it has 30 lb-ft more torque.
I’d match them like this: pulling power to the Encore GX, space & practicality to the Kona.
My pick: the Kona is the one I’d buy, unless you’d trade the rest for 30 lb-ft more torque.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.