Buick Encore GX vs Kia Niro: cost to own

Verdict, over 6 years

The Kia Niro costs about $6,627 less

That's $92 a month. Closest matching trims: same fuel and drive where possible.

Encore GX Preferred FWD$991/moTrue cost

Niro LX✓ $899/moTrue cost

2026 Buick Encore GX

Closest matching trim: Encore GX Preferred FWD

Sticker (MSRP)$31,349

+$7,628→↓Freight, fees, HST

Drive away$38,977

+ running costs→↓− $14,475 resale

True cost$991/moA month to own, after resale

2026 Kia Niro

Closest matching trim: Niro LX

Sticker (MSRP)$30,845

+$7,259→↓Freight, fees, HST

Drive away$38,104

+ running costs→↓− $14,416 resale

True cost$899/moA month to own, after resale

Line by line


Price
Sticker (MSRP)	$31,349	✓ $30,845	Niro by $504
Freight and fees, before tax	$3,144	✓ $2,875	Niro by $269
Sales tax (HST)	$4,484	✓ $4,384	Niro by $100
Drive-away price	$38,977	✓ $38,104	Niro by $873
Running costs, 6 years
Fuel or charging	$13,057	✓ $7,366	Niro by $5,691
Insurance (estimate)	✓ $11,086	$12,274	Encore GX by $1,188
Maintenance (estimate)	$7,211	✓ $6,254	Niro by $957
Loan rate	6.5%	6.5%	—
Loan interest	$7,146	✓ $6,962	Niro by $184
Lost return on your money	$8,255	✓ $8,087	Niro by $168
Resale after 6 yrs	✓ −$14,475	−$14,416	Encore GX by $59
Total
True cost	$71,348	✓ $64,721	Niro by $6,627
True cost a month	$991/mo	✓ $899/mo	Niro by $92
You pay each month	$1,008/mo	✓ $917/mo	Niro by $91
Practical
Fuel type	Gas	Hybrid	—
Seats	5	5	—
Carry-ons, 2 people	6	5	—
Cargo behind row 2, litres	✓ 665	646	—
Length	4.35 m	4.42 m	—
Ground clearance	✓ 19 cm	16 cm	—
Resale % after 6 yrs	46%	✓ 47%	—
US crash test	✓ 5★	4★	—
European crash test	—	✓ 4★ (2022); 5★ with pack	—

Price

Sticker (MSRP)

Encore GX Preferred FWD $31,349Niro LX ✓ $30,845Cheaper by Niro by $504

Freight and fees, before tax

Encore GX Preferred FWD $3,144Niro LX ✓ $2,875Cheaper by Niro by $269

Sales tax (HST)

Encore GX Preferred FWD $4,484Niro LX ✓ $4,384Cheaper by Niro by $100

Drive-away price

Encore GX Preferred FWD $38,977Niro LX ✓ $38,104Cheaper by Niro by $873

Running costs, 6 years

Fuel or charging

Encore GX Preferred FWD $13,057Niro LX ✓ $7,366Cheaper by Niro by $5,691

Insurance (estimate)

Encore GX Preferred FWD ✓ $11,086Niro LX $12,274Cheaper by Encore GX by $1,188

Maintenance (estimate)

Encore GX Preferred FWD $7,211Niro LX ✓ $6,254Cheaper by Niro by $957

Loan rate

Encore GX Preferred FWD 6.5%Niro LX 6.5%Cheaper by —

Loan interest

Encore GX Preferred FWD $7,146Niro LX ✓ $6,962Cheaper by Niro by $184

Lost return on your money

Encore GX Preferred FWD $8,255Niro LX ✓ $8,087Cheaper by Niro by $168

Resale after 6 yrs

Encore GX Preferred FWD ✓ −$14,475Niro LX −$14,416Cheaper by Encore GX by $59

Total

True cost

Encore GX Preferred FWD $71,348Niro LX ✓ $64,721Cheaper by Niro by $6,627

True cost a month

Encore GX Preferred FWD $991/moNiro LX ✓ $899/moCheaper by Niro by $92

You pay each month

Encore GX Preferred FWD $1,008/moNiro LX ✓ $917/moCheaper by Niro by $91

Practical

Fuel type

Encore GX Preferred FWD GasNiro LX HybridCheaper by —

Seats

Encore GX Preferred FWD 5Niro LX 5Cheaper by —

Carry-ons, 2 people

Encore GX Preferred FWD 6Niro LX 5Cheaper by —

Cargo behind row 2, litres

Encore GX Preferred FWD ✓ 665Niro LX 646Cheaper by —

Length

Encore GX Preferred FWD 4.35 mNiro LX 4.42 mCheaper by —

Ground clearance

Encore GX Preferred FWD ✓ 19 cmNiro LX 16 cmCheaper by —

Resale % after 6 yrs

Encore GX Preferred FWD 46%Niro LX ✓ 47%Cheaper by —

US crash test

Encore GX Preferred FWD ✓ 5★Niro LX 4★Cheaper by —

European crash test

Encore GX Preferred FWD —Niro LX ✓ 4★ (2022); 5★ with packCheaper by —

✓ marks the better figure. Resale is from used prices: the Encore GX typical for its type and brand, the Niro from its own. These trims differ in fuel (gas vs hybrid), which drives part of the gap. Their stickers differ by $504.