Compare the2025 Buick Encore GXVS 2025 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid

The Buick Encore GX has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Tucson Hybrid doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The Buick Encore GX offers an optional Surround View and it also offers an optional rear camera washer to make backing always safe, regardless of road dirt or grime, while the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid doesn’t offer a camera washer, requiring manual cleaning.

Both the Encore GX and the Tucson Hybrid have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Buick Encore GX is safer than the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid:

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

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Buick vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Buick third in reliability, above the industry average. With 49 more problems per 100 vehicles, Hyundai is ranked 13th.

Both the Encore GX and Tucson Hybrid have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. The Encore GX has a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The Encore GX has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Tucson Hybrid doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Buick Encore GX higher (7 out of 10) than the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid (6). This means the Encore GX produces up to 1.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Tucson Hybrid every 15,000 miles.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Buick Encore GX 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder AWD, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the Tucson Hybrid.

The Encore GX has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Tucson Hybrid doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Encore GX stops much shorter than the Tucson Hybrid:

The Encore GX’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Tucson Hybrid Blue’s standard 65 series tires. The Encore GX’s optional tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Tucson Hybrid N Line/Limited’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Encore GX has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Tucson Hybrid Blue.

The Encore GX has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Tucson Hybrid doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Encore GX has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Tucson Hybrid; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The Encore GX has variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Tucson Hybrid doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For better maneuverability, the Encore GX’s turning circle is 1.7 feet tighter than the Tucson Hybrid’s (36.9 feet vs. 38.6 feet).

The Buick Encore GX may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 650 to 750 pounds less than the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid.

The Encore GX is 11.5 inches shorter than the Tucson Hybrid, making the Encore GX easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Encore GX uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Tucson Hybrid doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Encore GX AWD can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Encore GX can be unhitched and driven around locally. The Tucson Hybrid can’t be towed flat on the ground.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Buick service is better than Hyundai. J.D. Power ranks Buick 9th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 48% lower rating, Hyundai is ranked 30th.

The Encore GX’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Tucson Hybrid does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Encore GX’s front and rear power windows all lower 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 Tucson Hybrid’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open them fully.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Encore GX’s available exterior PIN entry system. The Tucson Hybrid doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its Bluelink can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

The Encore GX’s standard Keyless Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, unlock the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Proximity Key standard on the Tucson Hybrid doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

The Encore GX Avenir has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Tucson Hybrid doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Encore GX is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Tucson Hybrid doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Insurance will cost less for the Encore GX owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Encore GX will cost $485 to $1945 less than the Tucson Hybrid over a five-year period.

The Encore GX will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Encore GX will retain 55.77% to 56.53% of its original price after five years, while the Tucson Hybrid only retains 52.09% to 55.73%.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Buick Encore GX and the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid, based on reliability, safety and performance.