2026 head-to-head · Small SUV

2026 Buick Encore vs Nissan Kicks

MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.

Swap sides
✓ Cheaper to run
$1,550/ year to fuel
30 MPG
✓ Cheaper to run
$1,500/ year to fuel
31 MPG

On fuel costs these two are nearly tied. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, the most efficient 2026 Buick Encore (30 MPG) costs about $1,550 a year to fuel and the 2026 Nissan Kicks (31 MPG) about $1,500.

Your numbers

Change these to match your driving and local prices. Every figure and chart on this page updates.

Fuel cost over 10 years

  • Buick Encore
  • Nissan Kicks

Side by side

Buick EncoreNissan Kicks
$1,550 Your annual fuel cost $1,500
30 MPG Combined efficiency 31 MPG
30 MPG City 28 MPG
31 MPG Highway 35 MPG
297 g/mi Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) 287 g/mi
6/10 EPA fuel economy score 6/10
6/10 EPA greenhouse gas score 6/10
Flex-fuel Powertrain Gas
Regular gasoline or E85 Fuel Regular gasoline
1.2L 3-cyl turbo Engine / motor 2.0L 4-cyl
CVT Transmission CVT
FWD Drivetrain FWD

✓ marks the better value. EPA scores run 1–10 (10 is best). Volumes come from the EPA interior volume index and aren't published for every body style.

Buick Encore vs Nissan Kicks across model years

  • Buick Encore
  • Nissan Kicks

Annual fuel cost of the most efficient configuration of each model year, at your prices. Click a point to open that year.

How they differ

Among 114 2026 small SUVs, the Buick Encore ranks 53rd and the Nissan Kicks 48th for lowest fuel cost.

The powertrains differ: the Buick Encore is a flex-fuel model, while the Nissan Kicks is a conventional gas model.

Frequently asked questions

Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2026 Buick Encore or the 2026 Nissan Kicks?

Measured by cost to drive, the Nissan Kicks. The Buick Encore is rated 30 MPG combined and the Nissan Kicks 31 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).

How much does it cost to fuel the 2026 Buick Encore vs. the Nissan Kicks per year?

At 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, about $1,550 for the Buick Encore and $1,500 for the Nissan Kicks.

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