Used 2021 Buick Encore GX for Sale nearColumbia, MO

How much does the 2021 Buick Encore GX cost?

Prices have softened 8.70% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,065 listings available, which gives you a decent 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 6.33/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Technology at 9/10.

Owners consistently praise its stylish design, great features, and spacious interior, and they also point to the abundance of standard safety features as a value add. The expert review also highlights its easy-to-use technology and quiet cabin, which fit the Encore GX’s role as a refined-feeling small crossover. On the other hand, the ride quality is poor and performance is fairly pedestrian, so you should expect comfort and convenience more than driving excitement. Its premium-leaning positioning makes the value equation feel less compelling than the feature content might suggest.

There are 30.9% good or great deals in the market, so you can still find some attractive listings if you shop carefully.

Is the 2021 Buick Encore GX reliable?

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

The owner feedback points to a vehicle that many drivers find dependable in daily use, with praise centered on its stylish design, useful features, and comfortable interior. At the same time, the review summary mentions brake issues reported by one driver, which is worth keeping in mind when you evaluate used examples. The expert review also describes the Encore GX as easy to drive and notes that the brakes perform well, even if pedal feel can be hard to modulate in traffic. Buick also includes Teen Driver technology and automatic collision notification, which can help with ownership confidence.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is making sure the braking system and overall maintenance history are clean before you commit.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 78.1% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a history report on any candidate, even if the listing looks clean at first glance. A pre-purchase inspection is especially important here because the review calls out ride quality, brake feel, and some visibility and refinement issues that you’ll want to judge in person. Focus on how the vehicle drives over rough pavement, how the brakes respond in traffic, and whether the cabin electronics and displays work as expected.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The SUV comes in base Preferred, mid-grade Select, and top-shelf Essence trim levels. The base trim leaves blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert as an option, while Select and Essence make it standard. If you want the racy-looking Sport Touring appearance package, it is available with all three trims.
• Powertrain: The standard 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder makes 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, while the available 1.3-liter turbocharged three-cylinder makes 155 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque. The larger engine is available with FWD on Select and Essence, while Preferred needs AWD to get it.
• 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 includes Bluetooth for two devices, Buick Connected Services with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and available navigation, natural voice recognition, SiriusXM 360L, and a high-definition surround-view camera.
• Fuel efficiency: The review says the Encore GX averaged 28.2 mpg on a testing loop.

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 with the smaller turbo engine and fewer standard convenience features. It is the trim where blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert remain optional, so it is best for buyers who plan to keep the budget tight and add only what they need.
• Select: This is the best-value trim for most shoppers because it unlocks the stronger 1.3-liter turbo with FWD and makes blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert standard. It gives you a better balance of power, safety content, and everyday usability without pushing all the way to the top trim.
• Essence: This is the most upscale choice and the one to consider if you want the most premium-feeling version of the Encore GX. It pairs with the available 1.3-liter turbo and adds the richest feature set, but the review also suggests the price can climb quickly once options are added.

Buick Driver Confidence is standard across the lineup, while blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert is optional on Preferred and standard on Select and Essence.

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so you have room to shop, but the best listings still deserve quick attention.

• Deal availability: 30.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,065 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.70% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 78.1% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $16,932, 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 $16,954 sits slightly below last year's $18,570.

That price movement suggests the Encore GX has already absorbed some of its near-term depreciation, which can help future sellers if the market stabilizes. If you buy at the current average or below, you may have a better chance of limiting your loss compared with someone who paid closer to last year’s higher average. The model’s strong owner satisfaction also helps support demand on the used market.

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 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, and the review notes that its stop-and-go behavior and distance settings can be frustrating in traffic.

One caveat is that the expert review calls out some shortcomings in the adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping behavior, so you should test those systems yourself on a used example.

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:

• 30.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 78.1% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.70% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It adds wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus a strong standard safety suite.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $16,137, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $16,954 average.
• It offers more space, more upscale styling, and more powerful engines than the Encore.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $19,687, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $16,954 average.
• It is a carryover model with four new exterior paint colors.

The bottom line: If you want the best mix of price, features, and market availability, the 2021 is the primary year to target. If your budget is tighter, the 2020 can save you money while keeping much of the same basic appeal. If you want a newer example and are willing to pay more, the 2022 is a straightforward alternative.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 11, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.