Last updated: 2026-07-26
Buick Encore vs Hyundai Kona: Reliability Compared
Buick Encore
Hyundai Kona
Choosing between the Buick Encore and the Hyundai Kona? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two compact suvs.
Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Buick Encore currently leads with an average score of 79/100 compared to 65/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Buick Encore and Hyundai Kona Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Buick Encore is more reliable than the Hyundai Kona, scoring 79/100 vs 65/100.
The Buick Encore outshines the Hyundai Kona in reliability, with a higher average reliability score of 79/100 versus the Kona's 65/100. The Encore has experienced fewer recalls, with just 4 over 5 years compared to the Kona's 16 across 9 years. Furthermore, the Encore's owner complaint rate is nearly half that of the Kona, at 6.9 per 10,000 sold versus 13.4. Independent repair cost estimates also favor the Encore, which has an estimated annual repair cost of $466, highlighting its overall reliability advantage.
Key Differences
- 1Buick Encore scores 14 points higher in reliability
- 2Buick Encore has 12 fewer total recalls
- 3Buick Encore has 6.5 fewer complaints per 10k sold
Category Scoreboard
Buick Encore vs Hyundai Kona: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Buick Encore | Hyundai Kona |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 79/100 | 65/100 |
| Years Tracked | 5 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 4 | 16 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 6.9 | 13.4 |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2022 NHTSA | 2026 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 5 | 0 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Buick Encore and Hyundai Kona?
The Hyundai Kona exhibits a higher volume of complaints, particularly in the engine and electrical system categories, with 264 and 193 complaints respectively, and a notable number of crash-linked incidents in the electrical system (4) and unknown or other (6) categories. In contrast, the Buick Encore's complaints are significantly fewer, with the most critical issue being the air bags category, which has 19 complaints, 11 of which are crash-linked, suggesting a potential safety concern. While both vehicles show issues with the power train, the Hyundai Kona has a broader distribution of complaints across more categories, indicating a more diverse range of problems. The severity of crash-linked complaints in the Buick Encore's air bags and the Hyundai Kona's vehicle speed control and electrical systems highlights specific safety risks that may require attention.
| Component | Buick Encore | Hyundai Kona |
|---|---|---|
| ENGINE | 1.5Low | 4.5Average |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 0.7Very Low | 3.3Average |
| POWER TRAIN | 1Very Low | 1.6Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.4Very Low | 1.8Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.7Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.4Very Low | 0.4Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.2Very Low | 0.5Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.3Very Low | 0.3Very Low |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 0.3Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 0.1Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | —None | 0.2Very Low |
| SUSPENSION | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| LANE DEPARTURE | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| STRUCTURE | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| VISIBILITY | —None | —None |
| WHEELS | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Buick Encore or Hyundai Kona?
How Does Buick Encore vs Hyundai Kona Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Buick Encore | Hyundai Kona | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 80/1000R / 8C | 64/1002R / 115C | Buick Encore |
| 2021 | 80/1000R / 9C | 63/1001R / 102C | Buick Encore |
| 2020 | 77/1002R / 19C | 57/1002R / 140C | Buick Encore |
| 2019 | 76/1002R / 82C | 55/1004R / 224C | Buick Encore |
| 2018 | 80/1000R / 72C | 69/1000R / 66C | Buick Encore |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2022 Buick Encore scored 80/100 and the 2018 Hyundai Kona scored 69/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Buick Encore vs the Hyundai Kona?
Buick Encore vs Hyundai Kona: Common Questions
- Is the Buick Encore more reliable than the Hyundai Kona?
- Based on our data, the Buick Encore is more reliable with an average score of 79/100 compared to 65/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Buick Encore or the Hyundai Kona?
- The Hyundai Kona has more recalls (16) compared to the Buick Encore (4). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
- Which has fewer owner complaints, the Buick Encore or the Hyundai Kona?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Buick Encore has a lower complaint rate at 6.9 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 13.4 for the Hyundai Kona. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Is the Buick Encore or Hyundai Kona safer?
- Based on NHTSA crash test ratings, the Buick Encore has a higher overall safety rating of 5/5 stars compared to 4/5 for the Hyundai Kona. Check sub-ratings (frontal, side, rollover) above for a more detailed safety comparison.
Related Reliability Comparisons
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Decided between Buick Encore and Hyundai Kona? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
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How We Calculate Reliability Scores
Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.
Key Ranking Factors
Complaint Severity
NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.
Repair Costs
Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.
Recall Impact
Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.
Issue Diversity
Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.
Scores are grouped into four tiers:
- 80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
- 60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
- 40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
- 0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution
Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.
See incorrect data? Report an issue