Encore GX vs Kicks
Same class, different makers. The Encore GX (Buick) and the Kicks (Nissan) are built for the same kind of buyer. There’s no clean sweep. If engine & performance matters most to you, the Encore GX has the edge; if space & practicality does, look at the Kicks.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance Encore GX wins
- Fuel Economy & Range Trade-off
- Space & Practicality Kicks wins
- Off-road & Towing Tie
- Price Kicks wins
- Engine & Performance1.8
- Fuel Economy & Range2.8
- Space & Practicality4.9
- Engine & Performance1.3
- Fuel Economy & Range3.4
- Space & Practicality9.5
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
-
The Kicks has 28% more cargo space
Put simply, the Kicks is far ahead here: 30 cu ft compared with 23.5 cu ft. The Kicks’s larger cargo area makes family trips and big shopping runs easier.
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The Kicks has 20% more maximum cargo space
The Kicks’s 60 cu ft leaves the Encore GX’s 50.2 cu ft well behind, so if this spec matters to you, the choice is easy. The Kicks can swallow more with the seats down, which makes it more versatile for occasional big loads.
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The Encore GX has 22 lb-ft more torque
Not a close call. The Encore GX lists 162 lb-ft and the Kicks lists 140 lb-ft. That’s a substantial gap. More torque means stronger pulling from low speeds, which you feel when accelerating from a stop or climbing grades.
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The Kicks has better highway fuel economy
The Encore GX isn’t far behind at 31 mpg, but the Kicks’s 35 mpg still comes out ahead. The Kicks uses less fuel on the highway, a real saving on road trips and long commutes.
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The Encore GX has better city fuel economy
A narrow win for the Encore GX. With 30 mpg to 28 mpg, it’s the kind of difference that adds up rather than stands out. In town, driving style has a big effect, but the Encore GX starts from a better baseline.
Design & Size
The Encore GX and the Kicks take up almost exactly the same space.
Dimensions
| Spec | Encore GX | Kicks |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 171.4 in | 171.9 in |
| Width (no mirrors) | N/A (not specified) | 70.9 in |
| Height | N/A (not specified) | 64.2 in |
| Wheelbase | 102.2 in | 104.6 in |
| Curb weight (from) | N/A (not specified) | 2,987 lb |
Engine & Performance
Encore GX leads
The Kicks has a tough time in the engine & performance section, where the Encore GX pulls well ahead. The Encore GX brings 22 lb-ft more torque. The Encore GX’s extra torque makes it more relaxed when fully loaded or towing. Weighing only engine & performance, the Encore GX comes out ahead.
Torque
Encore GX: 162 lb-ft Kicks: 140 lb-ft Electrified powertrains deliver torque instantly, so compare torque figures alongside the powertrain type.
Fuel Economy & Range
Trade-off
On fuel economy & range, it’s give and take: the Encore GX brings better city fuel economy, and the Kicks brings better highway fuel economy. Weigh both advantages honestly; the one you’d miss more is your answer on fuel economy & range.
Fuel economy (highway)
Encore GX: 31 mpg Kicks: 35 mpg Speed, wind and load affect highway use a lot, but the official rating is a fair comparison point.
Fuel economy (city)
Encore GX: 30 mpg Kicks: 28 mpg City fuel economy matters most if your driving is mostly short trips, traffic and stop-and-go commutes.
Space & Practicality
Kicks leads
This section belongs to the Kicks. In space & practicality, it leads the Encore GX by a margin that’s hard to ignore. The Kicks delivers 28% more cargo space. Cargo figures are measured in different ways by different makers, so small gaps may not show in practice. So if space & practicality tops your list, lean toward the Kicks.
Cargo (behind rear seats)
Encore GX: 23.5 cu ft Kicks: 30 cu ft Cargo space behind the rear seats is what you use every day for groceries, strollers and luggage.
Cargo (seats folded)
Encore GX: 50.2 cu ft Kicks: 60 cu ft Check the shape of the load floor too: a flat floor can matter as much as the number.
Off-road & Towing
Too close to call
If off-road & towing matters most to you, this section won’t make the decision for you: they’re level. Don’t let off-road & towing decide this one; look at the other sections instead.
Safety & Tech
For safety & tech, the differences are in the specifics (component names and types), so the table is the place to look.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | Encore GX | Kicks |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Gas | Gas |
| Engine | 1.2L turbo I3 | 2.0L I4 |
| Total system output | 137 hp | 141 hp |
| Torque | 162 lb-ft (winner) | 140 lb-ft |
| Transmission | CVT | CVT (Xtronic) |
| Drivetrain | FWD (AWD available) | FWD (AWD available) |
Fuel Economy & Range
| Spec | Encore GX | Kicks |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined)EPA estimate where available | 30 mpg | 31 mpg |
| Fuel economy (city) | 30 mpg (winner) | 28 mpg |
| Fuel economy (highway) | 31 mpg | 35 mpg (winner) |
| Fuel tank | N/A (not specified) | 11.9 gal |
Space & Practicality
| Spec | Encore GX | Kicks |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Cargo (behind rear seats) | 23.5 cu ft | 30 cu ft (winner) Biggest cargo area |
| Cargo (seats folded) | 50.2 cu ft | 60 cu ft (winner) |
| Rear legroom | N/A (not specified) | 34.50 in |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | Encore GX | Kicks |
|---|---|---|
| Ground clearance | N/A (not specified) | 8.40 in |
| AWD / 4WD available | Yes | Yes |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | Encore GX | Kicks |
|---|---|---|
| Largest touchscreen | N/A (not specified) | 12.3 in |
| Driver-assist suite | Buick Driver Confidence | N/A (not specified) |
| Basic warranty | 3 yr / 36,000 mi | 3 yr / 36,000 mi |
Dimensions
| Spec | Encore GX | Kicks |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 171.4 in | 171.9 in |
| Width (no mirrors) | N/A (not specified) | 70.9 in |
| Height | N/A (not specified) | 64.2 in |
| Wheelbase | 102.2 in | 104.6 in |
| Curb weight (from) | N/A (not specified) | 2,987 lb |
Price
| Spec | Encore GX | Kicks |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | $25,940 | $21,830 (winner) |
“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.
Price & Value
Price barely moves the needle here: the Encore GX launched $4,110 higher. The $4,110 difference buys some advantages, not all of them, so weigh the areas you actually care about.
Based on US launch pricing as of launch. Deals and regional pricing can change the picture.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Encore GX if…
- you want more pulling power from low speeds (162 lb-ft vs 140 lb-ft of torque)
- you want better city fuel economy (30 mpg vs 28 mpg)
- you trust Buick and want to keep things familiar
Choose the Kicks if…
- you want more cargo space behind the rear seats (30 cu ft vs 23.5 cu ft)
- you move bulky items now and then (60 cu ft vs 50.2 cu ft maximum cargo)
- you cover long highway distances (35 mpg vs 31 mpg on the highway)
- you want more value for your money ($4,110 less at launch)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the Encore GX or the Kicks?
For most buyers, the Kicks makes more sense: it launched $4,110 below the Encore GX.
Which is larger, the Encore GX or the Kicks?
The Encore GX and the Kicks are so close in size that you’d struggle to tell them apart on dimensions alone.
Is the Encore GX cheaper than the Kicks?
At launch, the Kicks undercut the Encore GX by $4,110. These figures are as of launch, and street prices can change.
Executive Summary
Here’s my take on Buick’s Encore GX versus Nissan’s Kicks. The Kicks wins me over with 28% more cargo space. Add better highway fuel economy to the list, and the Kicks looks even better. That said, the Encore GX answers with 22 lb-ft more torque, which some people will value more.
A quick self-test: do you care more about engine & performance or space & practicality? The first answer means the Encore GX, the second means the Kicks.
My pick: honestly, the Kicks; the Encore GX is good, just not $4,110 better.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.