2025 Buick Encore GX vs 2025 Kia Soul

$25,940 · Crossover

$20,490 · Wagon

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Buick Encore GX arrives radiating premium aspiration with its bolder, contemporary crossover styling, starting at a premium MSRP of $25,940, powered by a 137 hp engine. Contrast this with the 2025 Kia Soul, the budget-conscious champion that begs to be driven, boasting an accessible starting price of just $20,490 while delivering slightly more muscle with 147 hp. While both offer an identical combined 30 MPG, the Soul stretches slightly further on the highway at 33 MPG compared to the Encore GX's 31 MPG. Dimensionally, the Encore GX is the larger footprint at 171.2 inches long, offering a robust 23.5 cubic feet of cargo space, whereas the slightly shorter Soul at 165.2 inches actually packs marginally more cargo at 24.2 cubic feet. This comparison pits refined presence against raw accessibility, forcing buyers to weigh the $5,450 upfront cost against tangible output and space.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Kia Soul

The Kia Soul wins for commuters due to its $5,450 lower entry price and slightly superior highway fuel economy of 33 MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Buick Encore GX

The Buick Encore GX is favored for families due to its larger overall exterior dimensions and slightly more torque at 162 lb-ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Kia Soul

Enthusiasts lean toward the Kia Soul as it offers higher peak horsepower at 147 hp compared to the Buick's 137 hp.

💰 Best Value

2025 Kia Soul

The Kia Soul provides better overall financial value with its significantly lower MSRP of $20,490.

Choose the Buick Encore GX if...

You prioritize a more upscale, crossover aesthetic, reflected in its higher starting MSRP.
You appreciate the extra low-end pull provided by its 162 lb-ft of torque.
You desire the marginally larger exterior profile, measuring 171.2 inches in length.

Choose the Kia Soul if...

Saving money is paramount, given the $5,450 difference in starting MSRP.
You maximize highway efficiency, benefiting from its 33 MPG highway rating.
You prefer a punchier feel, leveraging its 147 horsepower output.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Buick Encore GX	Kia Soul
Length	171.2"	165.2"
Width	71.4"	70.9"
Height	64.1"	63.0"
Wheelbase	102.0"	102.4"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Buick	Kia
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	—
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	—
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	—
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	—
Daytime Running Lights	✓	—
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	—
Rear Headrests	2	3
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	—
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	—	✓
Front Multi-Adjustable Headrests	—	✓
Rear Fixed Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Buick	Kia
Base Engine Displacement	1.2 L	2.0 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 3	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	137 hp @ 5000 rpm	147 hp @ 6200 rpm
Torque	162 lb-ft @ 2500 rpm	132 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm
Number of Valves	12	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	—

Drive Train

Feature	Buick	Kia
Transmission Type	continuously variable-speed automatic	continuously variable-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	front wheel drive

Fuel

Feature	Buick	Kia
Fuel Type	flex-fuel (unleaded/E85)	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	30/31 MPG	27/33 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	30 MPG	30 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	396.0/409.2 mi.	386.1/471.9 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	13.2 gal.	14.3 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Buick	Kia
Push Button Start	✓	—
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Cruise Control	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	—
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	—
Leatherette Steering Wheel	✓	—
Single Zone Climate Control	✓	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	✓
Interior Air Filtration	✓	—
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Buick	Kia
Infotainment Display	11.0 in	8.0 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	6	6
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	✓	—
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	—
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	—
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	✓	—
Android Auto (Wired)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	—	✓
Audio/Video Remote Control	—	✓

Power Feature

Feature	Buick	Kia
One-Touch Power Windows	4	1
Keyless Entry	✓	—
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
Remote Keyless Entry	—	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Buick	Kia
Front Head Room	39.7 in.	39.9 in.
Front Leg Room	40.9 in.	41.1 in.
Front Shoulder Room	55.4 in.	55.5 in.
Front Hip Room	51.9 in.	—
Seat Material: Leatherette/Cloth	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	6-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	4-way
Seat Material: Cloth	—	✓

Rearseats

Feature	Buick	Kia
Rear Head Room	38.1 in.	39.5 in.
Rear Leg Room	36.0 in.	38.8 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	53.6 in.	54.7 in.
Rear Hip Room	50.7 in.	—
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Buick	Kia
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	—
Wheel Size	18 x 7.5 in	16 x 6.5 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	225/55R18	P205/60R H
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Inside Mounted
Wheel Material	—	Steel
Wheel Cover Type	—	✓

Suspension

Feature	Buick	Kia
Front Suspension Type	Independent	Independent
Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓

Warranty

Feature	Buick	Kia
Basic Warranty	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	10 yr./ 100000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	6 yr./ 100000 mi.	5 yr./ 100000 mi.
Roadside Assistance	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	1 yr./ unlimited mi.	—

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Buick Encore GX and 2025 Kia Soul.

How do the fuel options compare between the two models?

The 2025 Buick Encore GX runs on flex-fuel (unleaded/E85), offering flexibility in fuel choice. In contrast, the 2025 Kia Soul exclusively uses regular unleaded fuel.

Is the Kia Soul or the Encore GX more spacious for cargo?

Despite being physically smaller overall, the 2025 Kia Soul offers marginally more cargo capacity at 24.2 cubic feet compared to the 2025 Buick Encore GX's 23.5 cubic feet.

Which vehicle is quicker based on power ratings?

The Kia Soul has a slight edge in peak output, producing 147 horsepower versus the Encore GX's 137 horsepower, suggesting a more lively feel.

What is the primary performance difference in terms of torque?

The Buick Encore GX boasts significantly more torque at 162 lb-ft, which should aid in initial acceleration compared to the Soul’s 132 lb-ft.

How do the transmissions affect driving feel?

Both vehicles utilize a continuously variable-speed automatic transmission (CVT), meaning neither offers traditional gear shifts, favoring smooth, uninterrupted acceleration.

Why is the Buick Encore GX significantly more expensive?

The 2025 Buick Encore GX commands a $25,940 MSRP, a $5,450 premium over the Kia Soul, likely due to its positioning as a more premium crossover offering.