Used 2021 Buick Encore GX for Sale nearChicago, IL

How much does the 2021 Buick Encore GX cost?

Prices have softened 11.50% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,091 listings available, which suggests you have a meaningful amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2021 Buick Encore GX a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Buick Encore GX earns a 5/5 user rating and a 6.3/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Technology at 9/10.

You’ll see recurring praise for its stylish design, great features, and easy-to-use technology, along with a quiet cabin and fuel-efficient day-to-day use. The overview also frames it as a premium-positioned small crossover that gives you an upscale feel in a compact footprint.

The trade-offs are clear: the ride quality is poor, performance is fairly pedestrian, and value for money is not especially strong. That means it fits you best if you care more about comfort, convenience, and a polished feel than outright driving excitement or bargain pricing.

Good and great deals account for 35.1% of listings, which gives you some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 Buick Encore GX reliable?

Owners rate it 5/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The user feedback points to a vehicle that many drivers find stylish, feature-rich, and enjoyable in everyday use, with several comments highlighting its spacious interior and standard safety equipment. The expert evaluation also describes the turbocharged setup as capable of getting the SUV up to freeway speed without trouble, and the transmission operates unobtrusively in normal driving.

Buick also includes a first scheduled maintenance visit on the house.

For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is that a few reported brake-related concerns and the model’s mixed value reputation can make condition and maintenance history especially important.

What should I look for when buying a used 2021 Buick Encore GX?

Accident-free inventory is solid at 75.7% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a vehicle history report on any candidate, because accident-free status does not tell you everything about prior maintenance or repairs. Put extra attention on the ride quality, brake feel, and cabin electronics during your test drive, since those are the areas most likely to shape your ownership experience. If possible, compare multiple examples so you can judge whether a given vehicle feels tight, quiet, and well cared for.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base Preferred trim is the starting point, while Select and Essence add more equipment and make the SUV feel more upscale. The base trim also leaves blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert as optional rather than standard.
• Powertrain: A 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine is standard, and a 1.3-liter turbo three-cylinder is also available. The larger engine brings stronger output and is the better choice if you want more relaxed acceleration.
• Safety package: Buick Driver Confidence is standard and includes forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert is optional on Preferred and standard on Select and Essence.
• Infotainment: The system uses an 8-inch touchscreen and adds wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for 2021. It also supports Bluetooth for two devices, Buick Connected Services with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and available navigation and surround-view camera features.
• Fuel efficiency: The test loop returned 28.2 mpg in highway driving.

Which 2021 Buick Encore GX trim should I buy?

The 2021 Buick Encore GX is offered in 3 trim levels: Preferred, Select, Essence.

Here's the short version:

• Preferred: This is the entry point, but it makes the most sense if you want the lowest starting price and are comfortable adding options selectively. It gives you the core Encore GX experience, though some desirable safety equipment remains optional.
• Select: This is the best-value trim because it adds more of the equipment that makes the Encore GX feel complete, including standard blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. If you want a balanced mix of features and value, this is the one to target.
• Essence: This is the most upscale trim and the one to choose if you want the richest feature set and the most premium feel. It pairs well with the available tech upgrades and suits you if comfort and convenience matter more than price.

Buick Driver Confidence is standard, while blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert becomes standard on Select and Essence.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2021 Buick Encore GX?

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop patiently but should move quickly on strong listings.

• Deal availability: 35.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,091 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 11.50% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 75.7% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $16,218, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 Buick Encore GX's resale value?

The current average of $16,218 sits slightly below last year's $18,326.

That decline suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can make the Encore GX easier to buy now but less favorable if you’re thinking about future resale. If you purchase at the right price and keep the vehicle in strong condition, you may be able to soften the impact of that depreciation later. The model’s current pricing also means your resale outcome will depend heavily on mileage, condition, and equipment level.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 5/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 Buick Encore GX safe?

The 2021 Buick Encore GX earns a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

It earns a 7/10 safety score from our experts.

Buick Driver Confidence is standard and includes forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert is optional on Preferred and standard on Select and Essence. Adaptive cruise control is also available.

One caveat is that the adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist can feel less polished in real-world use, so you should test those systems carefully if they matter to you.

Should I buy a 2021 Buick Encore GX or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2021 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2021 if:

• 35.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 75.7% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 11.50% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It adds wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus standard advanced safety features.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $15,544, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $16,218 average.
• It offers more interior space and more powerful engines.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $18,729, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $16,218 average.
• It adds wireless smartphone integration and carries over with only minor changes.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of price, tech, and availability, the 2021 is the primary year to target. If your budget is tighter, the 2020 can save you money, while the 2022 makes sense only if you specifically want the newer-year pricing and are comfortable paying more for a near-identical package.

How does the 2021 Buick Encore GX compare to the 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2021 Buick Encore GX:

• Pros: Fuel-efficient, Easy-to-use technology, Quiet cabin.
• Cons: Poor ride quality, Fairly pedestrian performance, Poor value for money.

2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer:

• Pros: Stylish design, Great handling, Easy-to-use technology.
• Cons: Uncomfortable seats, Underwhelming base engine, Not much cargo space.

Our experts score the 2021 Buick Encore GX 6.3/10 and the 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer 7.7/10. The Buick leans more toward comfort and a quiet, tech-friendly experience, while the Trailblazer gets the edge for handling and overall expert score. Both are easy to use, but the Buick’s weaker ride and value make it the less compelling pick if driving enjoyment matters to you.

Read our full side-by-side expert comparison here.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 10, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.