Is the Buick Envista more reliable than the Nissan Kicks?

Based on our data, the Buick Envista is more reliable with an average score of 79/100 compared to 78/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the Buick Envista or the Nissan Kicks?

The Nissan Kicks has more recalls (10) compared to the Buick Envista (1). 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 Envista or the Nissan Kicks?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Buick Envista has a lower complaint rate at 7.1 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 8.3 for the Nissan Kicks. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Last updated: 2026-07-26

Buick Envista vs Nissan Kicks: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

Buick Envista

Good

Nissan Kicks

Good

Choosing between the Buick Envista and the Nissan Kicks? 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 midsize suvs.

Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Buick Envista currently leads with an average score of 79/100 compared to 78/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Buick Envista and Nissan Kicks Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the Nissan Kicks is in its second generation, which began in 2025. The first generation ran from 2018 to 2025, with a notable facelift in 2021. The Kicks' current generation is relatively new, which can sometimes mean that first-year models may experience initial teething issues as the platform settles. In contrast, the Buick Envista is still in its first generation, which started in 2024. Being early in its lifecycle, the Envista might also face initial reliability challenges typical of newer models. Buyers should weigh the Kicks' established track record against the Envista's newer design when considering reliability.

Verdict

The Buick Envista is more reliable than the Nissan Kicks, scoring 79/100 vs 78/100.

The Buick Envista edges out the Nissan Kicks in reliability, with a slightly higher average reliability score of 79/100 compared to the Kicks' 78/100. The Envista also boasts a significantly lower recall count, with just one recall in three years versus the Kicks' ten over nine years. While both models have similar types of common issues, the Envista has a lower owner complaint rate of 7.1 per 10,000 sold, compared to the Kicks' 8.3. These factors make the Envista a more reliable choice, particularly with its impressive recall history and lower complaint frequency.

Key Differences

1Buick Envista has 9 fewer total recalls
2Buick Envista has 1.2 fewer complaints per 10k sold
3Buick Envista scores 1 points higher in reliability

Category Scoreboard

3Buick Envista

—

0Nissan Kicks

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint Rate

Buick Envista vs Nissan Kicks: Which Is More Reliable?

Buick Envista vs Nissan Kicks at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Buick Envista	Nissan Kicks
Reliability Score	79/100	78/100
Years Tracked	3	9
Total Recalls	1	10
Complaints per 10k Sold	7.1	8.3
Year Wins	1	2

What Are the Common Problems With the Buick Envista and Nissan Kicks?

The Nissan Kicks has a higher volume of complaints, particularly in the electrical system with 96 issues, including 3 crash-linked incidents, and a significant number in power train and service brakes, both with crash-linked cases. In contrast, the Buick Envista shows a lower overall complaint count, with its primary concern also being the electrical system at 33 complaints but without any crash-linked reports. Notably, the Kicks has a broader range of issues, including forward collision avoidance and structural complaints, which are not prominent in the Envista's profile. Both models show concern in the service brakes category, but the Kicks has a higher number of crash-related incidents, indicating potential safety implications.

Buick Envista vs Nissan Kicks common problem areas comparison
Component	Buick Envista	Nissan Kicks
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	2.9Low	1.8Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	1.2Low	1.2Low
SERVICE BRAKES	0.4Very Low	0.7Very Low
POWER TRAIN	0.3Very Low	0.8Very Low
ENGINE	0.4Very Low	0.5Very Low
STEERING	0.3Very Low	0.3Very Low
STRUCTURE	—None	0.5Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	—None	0.4Very Low
VISIBILITY/WIPER	0.2Very Low	0.1Very Low
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	0.2Very Low	—None
VISIBILITY	0.2Very Low	—None
AIR BAGS	—None	0.2Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	—None	0.2Very Low
BACK OVER PREVENTION	—None	0.1Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	—None	0.1Very Low
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)	—None	0.1Very Low
LANE DEPARTURE	—None	0.1Very Low
WHEELS	—None	0.1Very Low
SUSPENSION	—None	0.1Very Low

Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.

How Does Buick Envista vs Nissan Kicks Reliability Compare by Year?

Buick Envista vs Nissan Kicks year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Buick Envista	Nissan Kicks	Edge
2026	82/1000R / 3C	83/1001R / 1C	Nissan Kicks
2025	80/1000R / 28C	78/1003R / 24C	Buick Envista
2024	75/1001R / 49C	81/1001R / 20C	Nissan Kicks

Best years to cross-shop: The 2026 Buick Envista scored 82/100 and the 2026 Nissan Kicks scored 83/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Buick Envista vs the Nissan Kicks?

If you prioritize a model with fewer recalls and slightly fewer owner complaints, the Buick Envista might be the right choice for you. With a reliability score of 79/100 and only one recall, it suggests a more stable performance. The Envista also reports 7.1 owner complaints per 10,000 sold, which is lower than its counterpart, indicating fewer potential headaches in the long run. On the other hand, if you are open to a model with a slightly lower reliability score but are interested in features or characteristics specific to the Nissan brand, the Nissan Kicks could still be worth considering. It scores a 78/100 and has a higher number of recalls at 10, which may indicate a need for more attention to certain issues over time. Evaluate your priorities and consider each model's specific issues to make the best choice for your needs.

Buick Envista vs Nissan Kicks: Common Questions

Is the Buick Envista more reliable than the Nissan Kicks?: Based on our data, the Buick Envista is more reliable with an average score of 79/100 compared to 78/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Buick Envista or the Nissan Kicks?: The Nissan Kicks has more recalls (10) compared to the Buick Envista (1). 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 Envista or the Nissan Kicks?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Buick Envista has a lower complaint rate at 7.1 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 8.3 for the Nissan Kicks. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

More Buick Envista comparisons

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More Nissan Kicks comparisons

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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.

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