Compare the2025 Nissan Kicks PlayVS 2025 Buick Encore GX

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Kicks Play has standard Rear Automatic Braking that use rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. The Encore GX doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

Both the Kicks Play and Encore GX have Rear Cross Traffic Alert, but the Kicks Play has Rear Automatic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Encore GX’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

The Kicks Play SV/SR’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Encore GX doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Kicks Play and the Encore GX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Nissan Kicks Play is safer than the Buick Encore GX:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Kicks Play is 2.4% to 3% less likely to roll over than the Encore GX.

The Kicks Play’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Encore GX’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

Nissan pays for scheduled maintenance on the Kicks Play for 2 years and 24,000 miles. Nissan will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Buick doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Encore GX.

There are over 15 percent more Nissan dealers than there are Buick dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Kicks Play’s warranty.

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the Kicks Play’s engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the Encore GX’s camshafts. If the Encore GX’s belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

On the EPA test cycle the Kicks Play gets better mileage than the Encore GX:

The Kicks Play has a standard locking fuel door. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Encore GX. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

The Kicks Play SV/SR’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Encore GX are solid, not vented.

The Kicks Play stops shorter than the Encore GX:

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Kicks Play’s wheelbase is 1.1 inches longer than on the Encore GX (103.1 inches vs. 102 inches).

The Kicks Play handles at .83 G’s, while the Encore GX Avenir AWD pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Kicks Play’s turning circle is 2.7 feet tighter than the Encore GX’s (34.2 feet vs. 36.9 feet).

The Nissan Kicks Play may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 350 to 500 pounds less than the Buick Encore GX.

The Kicks Play has .7 inches more front headroom, 2.8 inches more front legroom and .4 inches more rear headroom than the Encore GX.

The front step up height for the Kicks Play is 2 inches lower than the Encore GX (15.5” vs. 17.5”). The Kicks Play’s rear step up height is 2.1 inches lower than the Encore GX’s (15.9” vs. 18”).

The Kicks Play has a much larger cargo volume than the Encore GX with its rear seat up (25.3 vs. 23.5 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Kicks Play easier. The Kicks Play’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 27.6 inches, while the Encore GX’s liftover is 30.5 inches.

The Kicks Play’s front power windows open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Encore GX’s front passenger window doesn’t close automatically.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Nissan Kicks Play and the Buick Encore GX, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Nissan Kicks Play outsold the Buick Encore GX by 31% during 2024.