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Starting at
Starting at
| 4 in | Standard Driver Information Center | 3 in |
| 48.4 cu.ft | Cargo Space | 45.8 cu.ft |
| 18 in | Starting Wheel Size | 16 in |
The 2019 Buick Encore is one of the finest small luxury SUVs on the market, but that is a market that is growing more and more every day. With so many other SUVs out there to compete with the Encore, it can be useful to look at what else is available and see how they compare. For example, considering the 2019 Buick Encore vs 2019 Hyundai Kona highlights a lot of the strengths of the Encore and shows off everything it has to offer.
For starters, the 2019 Buick Encore has more total interior storage space for cargo than the 2019 Hyundai Kona. Since many people choose an SUV, even a small SUV, for the convenience of having so much space for cargo on the inside, this is an important thing to take into consideration. The Encore also has some of the best interior luxury and overall safety features on the market, making it a sophisticated and secure ride for families and friends alike.
While it is true that the 2019 Buick Encore starts off at a higher price than the 2019 Hyundai Kona, this difference is justified by the greater sense of luxury afforded by Buick. Few vehicles on the road can compete with Buick when it comes to luxury and sophistication, and this is very clear throughout the interior of the Encore. Buick definitely knows how to bring everything together when designing an SUV, and the Encore is clear evidence of that fact.
Compared to a full-size SUV, small SUVs like the 2019 Buick Encore certainly have less interior space for cargo and overall storage. However, most people interested in any SUV, regardless of size, still want to have room inside for transporting all sorts of cargo—from helping a friend move to just getting bags from a big shopping trip home. So even with a small SUV, interior cargo space is important—particularly total cargo capacity when the seats are lowered.
Even though the 2019 Buick Encore is a small SUV designed with a focus on luxury and sophistication, it still comes through with plenty of interior space. When properly configured, the Encore has up to 48.4 cu.ft. of interior cargo capacity. That is certainly a lot less than something like the much larger Buick Enclave, but it is an excellent amount of storage space for a small model. Since the seats fold down quite well, you can get a lot into the back of the Encore, whether it’s a piece of furniture, camping supplies, or just a few big coolers for a weekend of tailgating.
By comparison, the 2019 Hyundai Kona falls short of what the Encore can handle. The Kona only has a maximum of 45.8 cu.ft. of interior cargo volume with the seats down. While that might not seem like much at first, in practice it can make a pretty big difference. Keep in mind that this is volume, so cubic feet is a larger space than just a regular foot or even square foot of area. A couple of cubic feet can mean the difference between an antique chair fitting in the back and having to pay for delivery, or between getting everything you need loaded up for a long road trip and having to spend more on supplies along the way.
If you are at all interested in a small SUV like the 2019 Buick Encore for going off-road, or even just tackling some rough gravel roads, then wheel size is important. Larger wheels give you more clearance from the bottom of your vehicle and also make it easier to navigate on rough and uneven terrain. Choosing all-wheel drive is important if you want to be able to handle going off-road, but large wheels are also vital.
The 2019 Buick Encore starts off with 18-inch wheels that are standard on every single model. At higher trim levels you get additional features, like aluminum alloy wheels and high-quality all-season tires. But no matter what trim level of Encore you choose, you can rest assured that it will have 18-inch wheels that can handle all sorts of wild and unexpected terrain. With a lot of small SUVs out there, you start off with smaller wheels at basic trim levels and have to spend more to get larger wheels—so it is very convenient that you do not have to worry about that with the Buick.
On the other hand, the 2019 Hyundai Kona follows the model of other manufacturers and only has 18-inch wheels available at the highest trim levels. The starting model of the Kona, the SE, has 16-inch wheels standard and no option for a larger size. From there, the next trim level up, the SEL, has 17-inch wheels but there is still no option for 18-inch wheels. Only at the highest two trim levels, the Limited and Ultimate, do you get 18-inch wheels with the Kona. In other words, you can get the Kona SE with all-wheel drive, but it will still only have 16-inch wheels that can leave you in trouble on certain rough roads.
Drivers know that Buick is synonymous with luxury and sophistication, so it should be no surprise that the interior of the 2019 Buick Encore is clearly designed as an expression of that. To keep things fair, consider the highest standard trim levels of each of these vehicles. Those are the 2019 Buick Encore Essence and the 2019 Hyundai Kona Ultimate.
The 2019 Buick Encore Essence includes an 8-inch Infotainment center with touchscreen display, Bluetooth functionality, and leather-appointed seating. The driver and front passenger seats are heated, with power adjustable features, and the leather-wrapped steering wheel is heated with numerous controls. There is a 4-inch driver information center, which comes standard at every trim level, and keyless open and remote start. The Essence also has dual-zone automatic climate control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror and a driver memory seat with two position settings.
By comparison, the 2019 Hyundai Kona Ultimate does its best to reach for the same level of sophistication, but simply falls short in some key ways. It has an 8-inch touchscreen navigation center, Bluetooth support, and leather seating. The driver and front passenger seats are heated and power adjustable, and there is a leather-wrapped steering wheel with mounted controls. A 3-inch driver information display comes standard at lower trim levels, though the Ultimate has a 4-inch display, and it has keyless entry. The Kona Ultimate has automatic temperature control and an auto-dimming rearview mirror, but lacks some other luxurious touches and features.
Sophistication and luxury are great, but nothing is more important than safety when looking at any vehicle. Fortunately, both the Buick Encore and Hyundai Kona are clearly designed to be as safe as possible. To keep things simple, consider the overall features included and available at the highest trim levels of these two SUVs.
The 2019 Buick Encore Essence trim level includes StabiliTrak with electronic stability and traction control, ten airbags, and side blind zone alerts. It has a rear cross traffic alert, a tire pressure monitoring system, and LED daytime running lamps. Available safety features include Rainsense automatic wipers, front and rear park assist, forward collision alert, and lane departure warning. All of this comes together to make the Encore one of the safest luxury SUVs on the road.
By comparison, the 2019 Hyundai Kona Ultimate also has an impressive array of safety features included with it. This includes numerous airbags, electronic stability and traction control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Ultimate also includes lane change assist and blind spot collision warning, rear cross-traffic collision warning and lane keep assist. There is also a forward collision avoidance assist system, pedestrian detection, and driver attention warning for added safety and security.
Even though the 2019 Hyundai Kona is a fine vehicle, the 2019 Buick Encore simply offers more and is a better choice for sophistication and luxury. There is more interior space for cargo inside the Encore, which has larger wheels at the starting trim levels and comes with a 4-inch driver information center standard. The Kona is good; the Encore is just better.
Of course, to fully appreciate everything the 2019 Buick Encore has to offer, you have to see it, sit in it, and drive it for yourself. At Rick Hendrick Buick GMC Duluth, near Atlanta, GA, we have an impressive selection of Buick SUVs, including the Encore, so you can find just the right model for your lifestyle and needs. Come and see the Encore, or any other Buick SUV, for yourself and discover how enjoyable buying a new vehicle can be. We’re not satisfied unless you are completely happy with your new car, truck, or SUV!
*Images, fuel economy, and other stats, may reflect higher trim levels, options, or features that may result in a higher cost from the starting MSRP.
MSRP excludes tax, license, registration, additional options, and possible destination charges. Dealers set own prices.