Compare the2026 Buick Encore GXVS 2025 Genesis GV80 Coupe

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 GV80 Coupe doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The Buick Encore GX offers an optional HD Surround Vision and it also offers an optional rear camera washer to make backing always safe, regardless of road dirt or grime, while the Genesis GV80 Coupe doesn’t offer a camera washer, requiring manual cleaning.

Compared to metal, the Encore GX’s plastic fuel tank can withstand harder, more intrusive impacts without leaking; this decreases the possibility of fire. The Genesis GV80 Coupe has a metal gas tank.

Both the Encore GX and the GV80 Coupe have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver knee 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 Genesis GV80 Coupe:

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

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Buick Encore GX is safer than the Genesis GV80 Coupe:

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

There are over 4 times as many Buick dealers as there are Genesis dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Encore GX’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Encore GX first among small suvs in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The GV80 Coupe isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Buick vehicles are more reliable than Genesis vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Buick second in reliability, above the industry average. With 70 more problems per 100 vehicles, Genesis is ranked 22nd.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Buick vehicles are more reliable than Genesis vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Buick 3 places higher in reliability than Genesis.

On the EPA test cycle the Encore GX gets better mileage than the GV80 Coupe:

Regenerative brakes improve the Encore GX’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The GV80 Coupe doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Buick Encore GX uses regular unleaded gasoline. The GV80 Coupe requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

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 GV80 Coupe 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 (6 out of 10) than the Genesis GV80 Coupe (5). This means the Encore GX produces up to 6.9 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the GV80 Coupe 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 an eight-speed automatic is available for the GV80 Coupe.

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 GV80 Coupe doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Encore GX stops shorter than the GV80 Coupe:

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 GV80 Coupe doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Encore GX offers an optional 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 GV80 Coupe; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The Encore GX AWD handles at .84 G’s, while the GV80 3.5 e-Supercharger pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Encore GX’s turning circle is 2.4 feet tighter than the GV80 Coupe’s (36.9 feet vs. 39.3 feet).

The Buick Encore GX may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1900 to 2150 pounds less than the Genesis GV80 Coupe.

The Encore GX is 2 feet shorter than the GV80 Coupe, making the Encore GX easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Encore GX is 6.4 inches narrower than the GV80 Coupe, making the Encore GX easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Encore GX easier. The Encore GX’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 30.5 inches, while the GV80 Coupe’s liftover is 31.6 inches.

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 GV80 Coupe can’t be towed flat on the ground.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Buick service is better than Genesis. J.D. Power ranks Buick 9th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 44% lower rating, Genesis is ranked 29th.

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 GV80 Coupe does not have an oil pressure gauge.

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 GV80 Coupe doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Encore GX has a standard rear wiper. The GV80 Coupe doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

The Encore GX is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The GV80 Coupe doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

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

The Buick Encore GX outsold the Genesis GV80 by over two to one during 2024.