Used 2021 Buick Encore GX for Sale nearDurham, NC

How much does the 2021 Buick Encore GX cost?

Prices have softened 11.06% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,120 listings available, which suggests you have 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 6.3/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Technology at 9/10. Drivers consistently praise its stylish design, great features, and spacious interior, and they also point to the abundance of standard safety features as a value boost. On the downside, the expert review calls out poor ride quality and fairly pedestrian performance, so you should expect comfort and tech to matter more here than driving excitement. For you, that makes the Encore GX a better fit if you want a refined small SUV with a polished feel rather than a standout performer. Good and great deals account for 32.2% 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. User feedback also points to a reliable, trouble-free feel for many owners, with comments about dependable everyday use and strong long-term appeal. The expert review reinforces that sense of durability by describing the SUV as easy to live with and noting its calm, composed character in normal driving. 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 that reported brake concerns and other condition-related issues make a careful inspection especially important.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 78% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the vehicle history report carefully, because an accident-free listing is only a starting point. Prioritize a thorough inspection of the brakes, ride quality, and cabin electronics, since those are the areas most likely to affect your day-to-day satisfaction. Focus on overall condition and how well the SUV has been maintained, especially if you want the quieter, more polished experience this model is meant to deliver.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The lineup includes Preferred, Select, and Essence, with the Sport Touring appearance package available on all three. Base Preferred is the one to watch for feature gaps, since blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert is optional there but standard on Select and Essence.
• Powertrain: You get a turbocharged 1.2-liter three-cylinder with 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, or a turbocharged 1.3-liter three-cylinder with 155 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque. The smaller engine is FWD-only, while the larger engine is available with FWD or AWD depending on trim.
• 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, voice recognition, SiriusXM 360L, and a high-definition surround-view camera.
• Fuel efficiency: The 1.2-liter engine is described as fuel-efficient, and the review notes 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, and it makes sense if you want the lowest-cost way into the Encore GX’s styling and standard safety tech. It is also the trim where blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert is only optional, so you should weigh that carefully if safety convenience matters to you.
• Select: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds more standard equipment while keeping the Encore GX’s core strengths intact. It also makes blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert standard, which is a meaningful upgrade over Preferred.
• Essence: This is the most upscale choice, and it is the trim to target if you want the most polished version of the Encore GX. It pairs best with the available tech and comfort upgrades, and it is the trim level most aligned with the SUV’s premium-leaning personality.

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so it makes sense to compare listings carefully and move quickly on strong examples.

• Deal availability: 32.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,120 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 11.06% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 78.0% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $16,369, 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 $16,369 sits slightly below last year's $18,404.

That price drop suggests the Encore GX has already absorbed a meaningful amount of depreciation, which can help future resale stability if you buy at the right price. If you shop carefully now, you may reduce the amount of value loss left for you to absorb later. The model’s premium-leaning image and strong owner satisfaction can also help keep demand steady among used buyers.

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, so the lower trim leaves you with a gap you may want to close. The expert review also notes that adaptive cruise control can be awkward in traffic and that lane-keeping assist feels unnatural, even though it is effective.

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:

• 32.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 78% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 11.06% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 adds wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $15,786, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $16,369 average.
• It brings more interior space and more powerful engines.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $18,941, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $16,369 average.
• It adds four new exterior paint colors.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of price, inventory, and modern tech, the 2021 is the smart default. If your budget is tighter, the 2020 can save you money while keeping the same basic formula. If you want a newer example and are willing to pay more, the 2022 is mainly a carryover.

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 cabin, while the Trailblazer brings better handling and a stronger overall expert score. Both offer easy-to-use technology, but the Buick’s poor ride quality and weak value proposition make it harder to recommend unless you specifically prefer its calmer, more premium-leaning personality. If you care most about driving feel, the Trailblazer has the edge; if you care more about a quieter cabin, the Encore GX is the better fit.

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

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 21, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.