2019 Buick Encore vs 2019 Kia Soul – Atlanta, GA

• 2019 Buick Encore

  

  Starting at

  $23,200

  2019 Kia Soul

  

  Starting at

  $16,490

  Yes	Available All Wheel Drive	No
  27/33 MPG	Optimal Fuel Economy	26/31 MPG
  4	Trim Levels	3

  There is no shortage of small SUVs out there to choose from, so it can be difficult to figure out which is the right one for you. You’ll want to discuss with your salesperson what you require in your vehicle and what your travel needs are. While sitting in a vehicle and taking it for a test drive is a great way to narrow down your options, it usually helps to compare some different models before getting to that point. Looking at the 2019 Buick Encore vs 2019 Kia Soul, for example, can help you decide on which one you should check out and take for a spin.

  It should come as no surprise that, overall, the 2019 Buick Encore is a superior choice with more luxury features and sophistication, and more customization overall. The Encore starts off with larger tires than the Soul, and even if you choose the Soul’s highest trim level to get larger tires, you are still stuck without an all-wheel drive option. If you want to take your small SUV off-road, then the Encore is simply a superior choice to keep you in control.

  To be fair, the 2019 Buick Encore starts at a higher price than the Kia Soul, but with that larger price tag, you get a lot more for your money. If you want to get the best in terms of luxury and sophistication, then Buick cannot be beat in this field. The Encore has more to offer and gives you plenty of options and available features that let you get exactly the SUV you need.

• Customization

  

  One of the most fun parts of buying a new vehicle is the ability to choose different options and features to make it your own. Customization with an SUV is a big feature that should not be overlooked when considering different vehicles and what they have to offer. In this instance, the 2019 Buick Encore provides a lot more in the way of customization options and choices than the Kia Soul, which offers very little that can be changed or upgraded.

  For starters, there are four different trim levels to choose from with the 2019 Buick Encore—by comparison, the 2019 Kia Soul has only three trim levels available. That might not seem like a huge difference in and of itself, but that one trim level can be important. If the features and options available with a fourth choice fit into what you are looking for, without being too much or too little, then that really does matter.

  Just as important as the trim levels themselves are the other options that can be altered and adjusted. For example, both the 2019 Buick Encore and the 2019 Kia Soul have different engines available on them—two for the Buick and three from Kia. However, with the Encore from Buick, you can pick either engine you are interested in. It is worth noting that the first two trim levels for the Encore are only available with the starting engine, but the other two trim levels can be configured with either engine.

  On the other hand, the engines are set with all three trim levels of the 2019 Kia Soul. Each trim level has a different engine and you cannot choose between them, even at the highest trim level. So while the Kia Soul Exclaim (the highest trim level) has the most powerful engine, if it is more than you need and you want one of the less powerful engines, that is not an option.

• All Wheel Drive

  

  When looking at any SUVs, even small SUVs, it is important to consider whether you plan on going off-road at all or primarily want a vehicle for city driving. If you are interested in taking your SUV off-road, then one of the most important things to look for is all-wheel drive. With all-wheel drive, you are able to maintain control over your vehicle better on rough terrain, especially when dealing with rain, mud, and slush or snow.

  With the 2019 Buick Encore, you can choose all-wheel drive if you know you are going to need it. The Encore comes with front-wheel drive standard at every trim level, but you can choose all-wheel drive at each trim level. So even if you want the starting model, you can still get it ready for going off-road and handling anything the trail throws at you.

  By comparison, there is no option for all-wheel drive with the 2019 Kia Soul. Even if you choose the highest trim level, the Exclaim, at its highest price point, you are still stuck with front-wheel drive no matter how much you might want all-wheel drive. This might be a minor consideration if you only drive around town and avoid bad weather—but if you have any plans on going off-road, then this is a serious issue.

• Wheel Size

  

  When it comes to an SUV, wheel size can be important. This is especially true if you plan on going off-road at all; since larger wheels can help you better maintain control over your vehicle. If you do want to go off-road, then choosing all-wheel drive with a large wheel is usually your best bet.

  The 2019 Buick Encore comes with 18-inch wheels standard on every trim level that is offered. While higher trim levels include nice features—including more impressive tires on those wheels—even the starting trim level includes 18-inch wheels and optional all-wheel drive. This is pretty unusual for SUVs, where larger wheel sizes are often a selling point for more expensive trim levels on a vehicle.

  This can be seen with the 2019 Kia Soul, which starts off with 16-inch wheels on the Base model and no option for larger wheels at that trim level. If you go up to the Plus trim level, then you get 17-inch wheels standard and the option to choose 18-inch wheels if you want something larger. Only the highest trim level, the Exclaim, has 18-inch wheels standard, which somewhat limits your options and choices if you are interested in large wheels on your small SUV.

• Interior Features

  

  You are going to spend most of your time interacting with your vehicle while inside of it, since that’s what it’s for. As such, it is important to consider the options and details on the inside of a small SUV before choosing the one that is right for you. Considering their reputation for luxury and sophistication, it should come as no surprise that Buick comes out on top in this category. To keep things simple, these are features included at the highest trim level for these two SUVs

  The 2019 Buick Encore Essence includes an 8-inch touchscreen Infotainment system, a noise-canceling acoustic cabin, and heated driver and front passenger seats. It has a driver memory seat with two stored seat positions and a leather-wrapped heated steering wheel with audio and phone controls. The Essence has a 4-inch driver information screen, which is standard for all trim levels of the Encore, keyless open and remote start, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.

  By comparison, the 2019 Kia Soul Exclaim includes a 7-inch touchscreen information center with an available 8-inch display, as well as available heated front seats. The Exclaim has a leather-wrapped steering wheel, with heating available, and audio controls. There is a 4-inch driver display standard with the Exclaim, which is available as an option for the Plus trim level and not available on the Base model. The Exclaim includes a Smart Key with push-button start and a day/night rearview mirror, but in general, more of its features are available options rather than included when compared to the Encore.

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