The 2026 Buick Encore GX elevates expectations for Canadian drivers in a small compact SUV. With Buick’s new Virtual Cockpit System, QuietTuning technology, and premium Avenir trim, it challenges value-focused competitors like the 2026 Kia Seltos. Both vehicles deliver modern features and efficiency, but they take distinctly different approaches — and one delivers a meaningfully better ownership experience.

The Encore GX brings Buick’s signature refinement and cabin sophistication to the small compact SUV market. The Seltos counters with turbocharged performance options and generous cargo space. Here’s how these two vehicles compare across the features that matter most to Manitoba drivers.

Design and Exterior Presence

The 2026 Buick Encore GX showcases Buick’s modern design language with its distinctive tri-shield logo and forward-leaning front fascia. New signature winged LED headlamps create a sophisticated visual presence that stands apart from the small compact SUV mainstream. Available 18-inch and 19-inch wheel options add to its upscale appearance, while the Sport Touring trim features high-gloss black accents and an optional Black Roof Package for those seeking a sportier aesthetic.

The 2026 Kia Seltos offers its own styling approach. The SX and X-Line trims feature LED headlights, taillights, and fog lights, while LX and EX trims use halogen bi-function projection headlights. The X-Line trim adds glossy black wheels and gun metal-coloured grille accents.

Both vehicles offer modern small compact SUV styling. However, the Encore GX’s design language communicates premium positioning that the Seltos — positioned as a value-focused entry — cannot match.

Interior Technology: Virtual Cockpit Sets the Standard

Inside, the Encore GX introduces Buick’s Virtual Cockpit System — a first for the brand in North America and a segment-leading technology implementation. This system features 19 diagonal inches of high-definition screens under one sheet of glass, comprising an 11-inch diagonal infotainment system and a configurable 8-inch diagonal driver cluster screen. The layout angles toward the driver for easy control, while wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard.

The Seltos offers an available 10.25-inch multimedia interface with integrated navigation and a 10.25-inch TFT LCD supervision cluster on higher trims. The SX and X-Line add a heads-up display that projects key driving information.

The key difference: the Encore GX’s 11-inch infotainment screen is larger than the Seltos’s 10.25-inch display, and the Virtual Cockpit’s unified glass design creates a more cohesive, premium appearance. This isn’t incremental improvement — it’s a generational leap in how small compact SUV cabins present information.

Technology Comparison

Feature	2026 Buick Encore GX	2026 Kia Seltos
Infotainment Screen	11-inch diagonal	Up to 10.25-inch
Driver Display	8-inch configurable	Up to 10.25-inch TFT LCD
Unified Display Design	Yes (Virtual Cockpit)	No
Premium Audio	Bose (available)	Bose (SX/X-Line only)

QuietTuning: The Advantage You Experience Every Drive

Buick’s QuietTuning technology addresses something most small compact SUVs ignore: cabin noise. Through acoustic laminated glass, triple door seals, and strategic sound-deadening materials, the Encore GX delivers a notably quieter cabin than competitors in its class.

This isn’t a feature you’ll see on a spec sheet comparison, but it’s one you’ll experience every time you drive. Highway cruising, daily commutes, phone calls on the road — all become more pleasant in a cabin engineered for quiet. The Seltos offers no equivalent acoustic engineering program.

For drivers who spend significant time behind the wheel, QuietTuning transforms the Encore GX from transportation into a genuine refuge from road noise.

Powertrain Performance

The 2026 Buick Encore GX comes standard with a 1.3L Turbo I-3 engine producing 155 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque across all trims. Front-wheel drive models pair with a CVT, while all-wheel drive variants use a refined 9-speed automatic transmission. This turbocharged engine delivers responsive acceleration and maintains peak torque across a broad RPM band — ideal for confident merging and passing.

The 2026 Kia Seltos offers two engine options. Base LX and EX trims use a 2.0L 4-cylinder engine generating 147 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque with an IVT. SX and X-Line trims upgrade to a 1.6L Turbo 4-cylinder delivering 195 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque with an 8-speed automatic.

The Seltos SX and X-Line deliver more peak horsepower. However, accessing that power requires upgrading to higher-priced trims, while the Encore GX’s turbocharged engine comes standard across the entire lineup. The Encore GX’s broader torque curve and refined 9-speed automatic (AWD models) provide smooth, confident acceleration for daily driving without requiring buyers to pay for a premium trim.

Fuel Efficiency

Fuel economy plays a crucial role in daily driving costs:

2026 Buick Encore GX:

• Preferred FWD: 8.0 L/100 km city / 7.4 L/100 km highway
• AWD (9-speed): 9.2 L/100 km city / 8.4 L/100 km highway

2026 Kia Seltos:

• Base FWD: 8.3 L/100 km city / 6.8 L/100 km highway
• Base AWD: 8.8 L/100 km city / 7.5 L/100 km highway
• Turbo AWD: 9.7 L/100 km city / 8.6 L/100 km highway

The Seltos base engine achieves slightly better highway numbers, but the turbocharged Seltos (the version with competitive power) consumes more fuel than the Encore GX AWD. Buyers choosing the Seltos for its turbo performance will pay a fuel economy penalty. Both vehicles feature 50-litre fuel tanks.

Cargo Capacity

The 2026 Buick Encore GX provides 665 litres of cargo space with rear seats upright, expanding to 1,422 litres with the second row folded. The 40/60 split-folding rear seats offer flexibility for mixed cargo and passenger needs.

The 2026 Kia Seltos offers more cargo volume: 752 litres with rear seats up and 1,778 litres with seats folded. The dual-level cargo floor system adapts to different hauling requirements.

This is a genuine Seltos advantage. Drivers who prioritize maximum cargo volume will find the Seltos delivers more space. However, for most buyers — groceries, sports equipment, weekend luggage — the Encore GX’s 665-litre capacity handles typical needs while delivering superior cabin refinement and technology. The question is whether additional cargo space outweighs the Encore GX’s advantages in every other category.

Safety and Driver Assistance

The 2026 Buick Encore GX comes standard with the Buick Driver Confidence package:

• Automatic Emergency Braking
• Front Pedestrian Braking
• Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning
• Forward Collision Alert
• Following Distance Indicator
• IntelliBeam auto high-beam assist

Additional available features include Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert, Adaptive Cruise Control, and HD Surround Vision.

The 2026 Kia Seltos matches this safety approach with standard Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Follow Assist, Blind-Spot Collision Avoidance Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Avoidance Assist, Safe Exit Assist System, and Rear Occupant Alert. Higher trims add Advanced Forward Collision Avoidance Assist and Highway Driving Assist.

Both vehicles offer comprehensive safety technology. The Seltos provides slightly more standard safety features, while the Encore GX offers HD Surround Vision capability the Seltos lacks.

Warranty Coverage

2026 Buick Encore GX:

• 3-year/60,000 km New Vehicle Limited Warranty
• 5-year/100,000 km Powertrain Limited Warranty
• 5-year/100,000 km Roadside Assistance Program
• 6 years/160,000 km rust-through protection

2026 Kia Seltos:

• 5-year/100,000 km comprehensive warranty
• 5-year/unlimited km roadside assistance

Kia’s comprehensive warranty extends two years beyond Buick’s base coverage — a legitimate advantage for buyers who prioritize warranty duration. However, Buick’s 6-year/160,000 km rust-through protection offers superior long-term corrosion defence, particularly relevant for Manitoba’s harsh winter road conditions.

The Verdict: Encore GX Delivers Premium Experience the Seltos Cannot Match

The 2026 Buick Encore GX outperforms the Kia Seltos in the areas that define daily driving satisfaction. The segment-first Virtual Cockpit display system, QuietTuning acoustic engineering, larger 11-inch infotainment screen, and available Avenir luxury trim create a driving experience that transcends the small compact SUV segment.

The Seltos offers genuine strengths — more cargo space, available turbo power on higher trims, and a longer comprehensive warranty. For buyers whose primary criteria is maximum cargo volume or peak horsepower, the Seltos deserves consideration.

However, for drivers who value refined comfort, advanced technology integration, and a cabin engineered for quiet, the Encore GX is the clear choice. Its combination of daily comfort, modern connectivity, and Buick’s attention to acoustic refinement create a more enjoyable ownership experience — the kind of difference you’ll appreciate on every drive, not just when hauling maximum cargo.

Experience the 2026 Buick Encore GX at McNaught Buick GMC

The 2026 Buick Encore GX delivers premium refinement, segment-leading technology, and the quiet confidence of Buick’s QuietTuning engineering. Whether you prioritize the Virtual Cockpit’s advanced display system, the serene cabin environment, or the available Avenir trim’s luxury appointments, the Encore GX is built for drivers who expect more from a small compact SUV.

Visit our team at McNaught Buick GMC in Winnipeg to experience the Encore GX lineup. Our product specialists can walk you through trim comparisons, demonstrate the Virtual Cockpit system, and help you find the configuration that fits your lifestyle.