For years, the small-SUV reliability conversation started and ended with Japanese nameplates. The Subaru Crosstrek, Honda HR-V, and Toyota Corolla Cross have traded segment honors back and forth in J.D. Power’s annual dependability studies like a baton no American brand could grab. That streak appears to be over. According to data from J.D. Power’s 2026 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study, the Buick Encore GX has recorded a problems-per-100-vehicles (PP100) score that places it at the top of the SUV field, a result that reflects a multi-year climb for a brand most shoppers still associate with an older generation of buyers rather than cutting-edge reliability.
How Buick got here
Buick’s rise in J.D. Power’s rankings did not happen overnight. In the 2024 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study, the brand already ranked well above the industry average, and it improved again in the 2025 edition released in February of that year. Each cycle measures problems reported by original owners of three-year-old vehicles over the prior 12 months, so the 2026 study evaluates 2023 model-year cars and SUVs. The Encore GX that earned this score is the refreshed version that arrived for 2023 with a turbocharged 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine, a continuously variable transmission, and a notably quieter cabin than its predecessor.
That powertrain has drawn mixed reactions from enthusiasts who wanted more power, but its simplicity may be part of the reliability story. Fewer cylinders, fewer moving parts, and a CVT that Buick tuned for smoothness rather than sporty response all reduce the number of components that can generate owner complaints. Buick also standardized a 10.2-inch infotainment touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto across the lineup for 2023, which means fewer trim-level variations in software and hardware for dealers to troubleshoot.
What the J.D. Power study actually measures
The U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study is not a mechanical teardown or a lab test. It is a large-scale owner survey, typically covering tens of thousands of respondents, that tallies problems across 184 categories grouped into areas like exterior, driving experience, features and controls, and powertrain. A lower PP100 score means fewer reported problems. J.D. Power publishes segment-level winners publicly but keeps model-level PP100 figures behind a paywall accessible to automakers and subscribing dealers. That paywall is why granular cross-segment comparisons rarely appear in consumer coverage and why the Encore GX’s specific score has not been widely reported in the same way as segment awards.
Subaru, for its part, earned a verified public win in the small-SUV segment. The company announced in a press release distributed through PR Newswire that the Crosstrek was named the most dependable small SUV in the 2026 study. That is a segment-level title, meaning the Crosstrek beat every other vehicle J.D. Power classified in its size bracket. It does not necessarily mean the Crosstrek posted the lowest PP100 count of any SUV across all segments. J.D. Power’s taxonomy separates small SUVs, compact SUVs, midsize SUVs, and large SUVs into distinct competitive sets, and a vehicle can win its segment while another model in a different segment posts a better raw score.
Where the Encore GX fits against the competition
The Encore GX occupies a price band between roughly $26,000 and $33,000, depending on trim and options, which puts it in direct showroom competition with the Crosstrek, the Honda HR-V, the Toyota Corolla Cross, the Mazda CX-30, and the Hyundai Kona. On paper, the Buick is the only one in that group wearing a premium badge, and it leans into that positioning with standard leatherette seating, active noise cancellation, and a ride quality that reviewers have consistently described as more composed than the segment norm.
Fuel economy is competitive but not class-leading. The front-wheel-drive Encore GX is rated at an EPA-estimated 30 mpg combined with the 1.2-liter turbo, while the all-wheel-drive version drops to about 28 mpg combined. The Crosstrek, which comes standard with all-wheel drive, manages 29 mpg combined with its base 2.0-liter engine. Neither figure is likely to be a dealbreaker, but buyers who prioritize efficiency may also want to look at the Corolla Cross Hybrid, which pushes past 40 mpg combined.
Safety equipment is another area where the Encore GX has quietly closed the gap. The 2023 model year brought standard automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and rear-cross-traffic alert. Those features are now table stakes in the segment, but Buick’s execution, particularly the calibration of its forward-collision warning, has earned positive marks from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
What buyers should verify before signing
A strong J.D. Power score is a meaningful data point, but it is one layer of a purchase decision. The study captures owner-reported problems, which means it reflects real-world experience rather than lab conditions. It also means the results can be influenced by factors like infotainment glitches, wind noise complaints, and fit-and-finish issues that may not affect long-term mechanical durability. A vehicle with a stellar PP100 score could still develop expensive powertrain problems outside the survey window.
Shoppers who want to confirm the Encore GX’s specific ranking can check J.D. Power’s consumer-facing website once the full 2026 study results are posted, or ask a subscribing dealer to pull the model-level data. Cross-referencing with Consumer Reports’ predicted reliability ratings and long-term owner reviews on forums like the Buick Encore GX subreddit or Edmunds owner ratings will give a more complete picture.
Warranty coverage is also worth comparing. Buick backs the Encore GX with a 4-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a 6-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty. Subaru offers a similar 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty but extends powertrain coverage to 5 years/60,000 miles. Hyundai and Kia still lead the segment with 5-year/60,000-mile basic and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranties, a factor that can matter more than any survey score if something goes wrong after year four.
A shift worth watching, not just a single headline
The bigger story is not one model’s score in one study year. It is the trajectory. Buick has been climbing J.D. Power’s brand-level dependability rankings for three consecutive cycles, and the Encore GX’s performance in the 2026 study is the sharpest evidence yet that the improvement is real and accelerating. For a brand that spent the 2010s struggling to attract younger buyers, a reliability reputation that rivals or exceeds Japanese competitors is the kind of credential that changes shopping behavior over time.
Japanese brands are not going anywhere. The Crosstrek’s segment win, Honda’s consistent presence near the top of multiple J.D. Power categories, and Toyota’s hybrid dominance all ensure that the default recommendation for reliability-conscious buyers will still carry a Japanese badge more often than not. But the default is no longer automatic. The Encore GX has earned a place on the short list, and the data backing that position is harder to dismiss than any marketing tagline.
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*This article was researched with the help of AI, with human editors creating the final content.
