Used 2021 Buick Encore GX for Sale near Illinois

How much does the 2021 Buick Encore GX cost?

Prices have softened 11.63% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,107 listings available, which suggests a healthy 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 add. The overview also frames it as a fuel-efficient small crossover with easy-to-use technology and a quiet cabin, which fits buyers who want a refined everyday SUV.

The trade-offs are clear: the ride quality is poor, performance is fairly pedestrian, and value for money is a weak point. That makes it a better fit if you care more about polish and convenience than outright driving excitement.

Good and great deals account for 34.1% of listings, so you can still find some attractive pricing in the market.

Is the 2021 Buick Encore GX reliable?

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

Drivers describe it as stylish, feature-rich, and spacious, and they also highlight the abundance of standard safety equipment. The expert evaluation adds that it has a quiet cabin and easy-to-use technology, both of which support a low-stress ownership experience.

At the same time, reported brake concerns in owner feedback are worth taking seriously when you shop used examples. For long-term ownership, your biggest risk is buying a neglected vehicle without a clean service history or a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

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 history report carefully, because accident-free status does not replace a full records review. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that focuses on brakes, ride quality, and any signs of uneven wear or neglected maintenance. You should also pay close attention to how the cabin electronics and driver-assistance features operate during a test drive.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The SUV comes in base Preferred, mid-grade Select, and top-shelf Essence trim levels, with the racy-looking Sport Touring package available on all three. Base-trim shoppers should pay close attention to feature gaps, since the higher trims add more equipment and the optional package content can change the feel of the vehicle.
• Powertrain: Two turbocharged three-cylinder engines are available. The 1.2-liter engine is FWD-only, while the 1.3-liter engine is available with FWD and AWD. The larger engine is the better choice if you want stronger response.
• 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 surround-view camera.
• Fuel efficiency: The test loop returned 28.2 mpg, and the vehicle is described as fuel-efficient.

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 Encore GX’s core appeal at the lowest price. It gives you the styling, technology, and standard safety foundation, but you should be aware that some desirable driver-assistance features are not standard here.
• Select: This is the best-value trim for most shoppers because it adds more equipment while also making blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert standard. If you want a more complete used-buying experience without stretching to the top trim, this is the one to focus on.
• Essence: This is the most upscale choice, and it suits you if you want the most premium-feeling version of the Encore GX. It also makes the safety package more complete, and it is the trim used for the more feature-rich test vehicle.

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 looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop patiently but still move quickly on the right listing.

• Deal availability: 34.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,107 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 11.63% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 78.0% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $16,290, 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 $16,290 sits slightly below last year's $18,434.

That decline suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you as a buyer but may limit upside if you plan to resell soon. If you buy at a strong price, you reduce the risk of taking a bigger hit later. If you pay too close to the top of the range, resale pressure could work against you.

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 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 equipment 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 behavior can feel imperfect in traffic, so you should test those systems carefully 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:

• 34.1% 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 11.63% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It combines wireless smartphone integration with standard safety tech and a quiet cabin.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $15,694, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $16,290 average.
• It offers more space and more powerful engines.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $18,947, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $16,290 average.
• It adds four new extra-cost exterior paint colors.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of price, inventory, and owner satisfaction, the 2021 is the smart default. If you are especially price-sensitive, the 2020 is the better value play, while the 2022 makes sense only if you specifically want the newer-year listing and are comfortable paying more.

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 cabin, while the Trailblazer comes across as the more engaging and better-rated choice overall. If you care most about easy-to-use technology and fuel efficiency, the Buick still has appeal, but the Trailblazer looks stronger on handling and overall expert judgment.

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

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 27, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.