2026 head-to-head · Small SUV
2026 Buick Encore vs Kia Seltos
MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.
On fuel costs these two are nearly tied. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, the most efficient 2026 Buick Encore (30 MPG) costs about $1,550 a year to fuel and the 2026 Kia Seltos (29 MPG) about $1,603.
Your numbers
Change these to match your driving and local prices. Every figure and chart on this page updates.
Fuel cost over 10 years
- Buick Encore
- Kia Seltos
Side by side
| Buick Encore | Kia Seltos | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,550 | Your annual fuel cost | $1,603 |
| 30 MPG | Combined efficiency | 29 MPG |
| 30 MPG | City | 27 MPG |
| 31 MPG | Highway | 31 MPG |
| 297 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 309 g/mi |
| 6/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 6/10 |
| 6/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 6/10 |
| Flex-fuel | Powertrain | Gas |
| Regular gasoline or E85 | Fuel | Regular gasoline |
| 1.2L 3-cyl turbo | Engine / motor | 2.0L 4-cyl |
| CVT | Transmission | CVT |
| FWD | Drivetrain | AWD |
✓ marks the better value. EPA scores run 1–10 (10 is best). Volumes come from the EPA interior volume index and aren't published for every body style.
Buick Encore vs Kia Seltos across model years
- Buick Encore
- Kia Seltos
Annual fuel cost of the most efficient configuration of each model year, at your prices. Click a point to open that year.
How they differ
Among 114 2026 small SUVs, the Buick Encore ranks 53rd and the Kia Seltos 58th for lowest fuel cost.
The powertrains differ: the Buick Encore is a flex-fuel model, while the Kia Seltos is a conventional gas model.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2026 Buick Encore or the 2026 Kia Seltos?
Measured by cost to drive, the Buick Encore. The Buick Encore is rated 30 MPG combined and the Kia Seltos 29 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2026 Buick Encore vs. the Kia Seltos per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, about $1,550 for the Buick Encore and $1,603 for the Kia Seltos.
Buick Encore vs Kia Seltos in other years
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