This subcompact crossover tries to deliver Buick refinement in a budget-friendly package, and mostly succeeds, until you need to merge onto a highway. The turbocharged three-cylinder engines feel genuinely sluggish under load, turning acceleration into a patience exercise rather than a confidence boost. Families with three kids consistently report the cabin feels cramped, though the cargo area punches above its weight class. The current generation (2020+) uses different engines than the troubled original Encore, and early owners report solid reliability with regular oil changes, but there's not enough mileage out there yet to call it proven. Buy it if you want a quiet, comfortable commuter with nicer materials than the Chevy Trax, skip it if you need quick merging power or room for a growing family.
Nissan redesigned the Kicks for 2025 and fixed what needed fixing: it's bigger inside, offers AWD, and delivers 40-51 MPG on highway runs without breaking a sweat. Early owners love the value at $22k-$30k and report zero drama in daily use. The shadow hanging over it is Nissan's CVT reputation, not because this generation has failed (it's too new), but because older Nissans poisoned the well. If you're diligent about 30k-mile fluid changes, first-gen owners sailed past 150k miles trouble-free. Skip that service and you're gambling on a $5k repair bill. This is the right crossover for the calendar-reminder type who wants excellent mileage and doesn't need thrills. If you treat maintenance like a suggestion, the Toyota Corolla Cross won't punish you as hard.