Encore GX vs Seltos
The Encore GX and the Seltos sit in the same subcompact suv class, but Buick and Kia don’t always agree on what matters most. Scoring each area separately, the Seltos comes out on top 1 times out of 4. Its lead is sharpest in space & practicality.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance Trade-off
- Fuel Economy & Range Trade-off
- Space & Practicality Seltos wins
- Off-road & Towing Tie
- Engine & Performance1.8
- Fuel Economy & Range2.8
- Space & Practicality4.9
- Engine & Performance1.2
- Fuel Economy & Range3.3
- Space & Practicality8.1
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 Seltos has 25% more maximum cargo space
Few buyers will miss this one. The Seltos brings 62.8 cu ft to the table; the Encore GX brings 50.2 cu ft. Maximum cargo space with the seats folded matters when you move furniture, bikes or bulky gear.
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The Encore GX has 30 lb-ft more torque
When it comes to torque, the Encore GX wins comfortably with 162 lb-ft against 132 lb-ft. Electrified powertrains deliver torque instantly, so compare torque figures alongside the powertrain type.
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The Seltos has 13% more cargo space
On cargo (behind rear seats), the Seltos edges out the Encore GX, 26.6 cu ft to 23.5 cu ft. Cargo figures are measured in different ways by different makers, so small gaps may not show in practice.
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The Seltos has 9 hp more power
Don’t expect a night-and-day difference here. 146 hp against 137 hp is a small but genuine lead for the Seltos. The Seltos’s extra output gives it more in reserve when you need to get up to speed.
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The Seltos has better highway fuel economy
The Seltos nudges ahead with 34 mpg, while the Encore GX lists 31 mpg. The Seltos uses less fuel on the highway, a real saving on road trips and long commutes.
Design & Size
Dimensionally, these two are near twins.
Dimensions
| Spec | Encore GX | Seltos |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 171.4 in | 172.2 in |
| Width (no mirrors) | N/A (not specified) | 70.9 in |
| Height | N/A (not specified) | 64.2 in |
| Wheelbase | 102.2 in | 103.5 in |
Engine & Performance
Trade-off
What you gain in one place you lose in another: 30 lb-ft more torque with the Encore GX, 9 hp more power with the Seltos. So on engine & performance, match the strength to your needs and you’ll choose well.
Torque
Encore GX: 162 lb-ft Seltos: 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 Seltos: 146 hp Power is only part of the story; weight, gearing and torque delivery shape how quick a car feels.
Fuel Economy & Range
Trade-off
The fuel economy & range section doesn’t produce a winner so much as a choice: better city fuel economy (Encore GX) or better highway fuel economy (Seltos). For fuel economy & range, there’s no wrong answer, only a different emphasis.
Fuel economy (highway)
Encore GX: 31 mpg Seltos: 34 mpg Highway fuel economy matters if you cover long distances at steady speeds.
Fuel economy (city)
Encore GX: 30 mpg Seltos: 28 mpg In town, driving style has a big effect, but the Encore GX starts from a better baseline.
Space & Practicality
Seltos leads
The Seltos is the clear pick if space & practicality is what you care about most. The Seltos steps ahead thanks to 25% 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 Seltos.
Cargo (seats folded)
Encore GX: 50.2 cu ft Seltos: 62.8 cu ft The Seltos 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 Seltos: 26.6 cu ft Cargo space behind the rear seats is what you use every day for groceries, strollers and luggage.
Off-road & Towing
Too close to call
You can skip ahead if off-road & towing was your deciding factor: the two are evenly matched here. In short, off-road & towing is a draw; the decision lies elsewhere.
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 Seltos part ways.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | Encore GX | Seltos |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Gas | Gas |
| Engine | 1.2L turbo I3 | 2.0L I4 |
| Total system output | 137 hp | 146 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 | Seltos |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined)EPA estimate where available | 30 mpg | 31 mpg |
| Fuel economy (city) | 30 mpg (winner) | 28 mpg |
| Fuel economy (highway) | 31 mpg | 34 mpg (winner) |
Space & Practicality
| Spec | Encore GX | Seltos |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Cargo (behind rear seats) | 23.5 cu ft | 26.6 cu ft (winner) |
| Cargo (seats folded) | 50.2 cu ft | 62.8 cu ft (winner) |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | Encore GX | Seltos |
|---|---|---|
| AWD / 4WD available | Yes | Yes |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | Encore GX | Seltos |
|---|---|---|
| Driver-assist suite | Buick Driver Confidence | Kia Drive Wise |
| Basic warranty | 3 yr / 36,000 mi | 5 yr / 60,000 mi |
Dimensions
| Spec | Encore GX | Seltos |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 171.4 in | 172.2 in |
| Width (no mirrors) | N/A (not specified) | 70.9 in |
| Height | N/A (not specified) | 64.2 in |
| Wheelbase | 102.2 in | 103.5 in |
Price
| Spec | Encore GX | Seltos |
|---|---|---|
| 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 often drive loaded up or with a trailer (162 lb-ft vs 132 lb-ft of torque)
- you mostly drive in town (30 mpg vs 28 mpg in the city)
- you trust Buick and want to keep things familiar
Choose the Seltos if…
- you move bulky items now and then (62.8 cu ft vs 50.2 cu ft maximum cargo)
- you haul strollers, luggage or sports gear every week (26.6 cu ft vs 23.5 cu ft)
- you want more power (146 hp vs 137 hp)
- you cover long highway distances (34 mpg vs 31 mpg on the highway)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the Encore GX or the Seltos?
For most people, the Seltos is the stronger choice, unless you value 30 lb-ft more torque above everything else.
Is the Encore GX bigger than the Seltos?
They’re practically the same size. The difference between the Encore GX and the Seltos is too small to matter.
Executive Summary
Honestly, the Encore GX versus the Seltos is one of those matchups where your priorities matter more than the logo. For me, the deciding factor is that only the Seltos gives you 25% more maximum cargo space. I’d also count 9 hp more power in the Seltos’s favor. In fairness to the Encore GX, 30 lb-ft more torque is a genuine strength.
The Encore GX is for you if pulling power tops your list; the Seltos is for you if space & practicality does.
My pick: if it were my money, the Seltos, unless you know that 30 lb-ft more torque would make a real difference in your routine.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.