Used 2021 Buick Encore GX for Sale nearSaint Louis, MO

How much does the 2021 Buick Encore GX cost?

Prices have softened 10.12% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,146 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.

Drivers consistently praise its stylish design, great features, and spacious interior. The user feedback also points to surprising acceleration and an abundance of standard safety features, which helps explain its appeal as a refined small SUV.

The trade-offs are clear, though: the ride quality is poor and value for money is weak. In practical terms, this is a good fit if you want a premium-leaning everyday crossover with a quiet cabin and approachable tech, not if you’re prioritizing comfort tuning or maximum bang for your buck.

Listings with good or great deals make up 35.2% of the market, so you still have 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 dependable-feeling ownership experience for many drivers, with praise centered on the vehicle’s overall quality and day-to-day usability.

The expert evaluation also describes the Encore GX as easy to live with and straightforward to operate, which supports the case for low-stress ownership. Buick’s maintenance messaging also includes a first scheduled maintenance visit that is on the house.

The main long-term ownership risk for used buyers is that reported brake concerns and other durability worries can make a careful pre-purchase inspection especially important.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 77% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a history report on any candidate and pay close attention to service records, prior damage, and ownership patterns. A thorough inspection matters here because the model’s value proposition depends heavily on condition, equipment, and how well the vehicle has been maintained. Focus especially on how the cabin electronics, brakes, and ride quality feel during a test drive.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The lineup includes Preferred, Select, and Essence, with the racy-looking Sport Touring appearance package available on all three. Base Preferred is the most stripped-down version, while Select and Essence bring more upscale content and a more polished feel.
• Powertrain: You get a turbocharged 1.2-liter three-cylinder with front-wheel drive, or a turbocharged 1.3-liter three-cylinder that can be paired with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive depending on trim. The larger engine is the better pick if you want stronger low-end 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 model is described as fuel-efficient, and the 1.2-liter engine is the more efficiency-oriented choice.

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. It gives you the core styling, standard safety tech, and the model’s easy-to-use infotainment, but you give up some of the more upscale feel and convenience features found higher up.
• Select: This is the best-value trim for most shoppers because it adds more equipment without pushing you all the way to the top of the range. It also gets blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert as standard, which is a meaningful safety upgrade over Preferred.
• Essence: This is the most upscale version and the one to choose if you want the richest feature set and the most premium presentation. It suits you best if you care more about comfort, convenience, and a higher-end feel than about keeping the purchase price down.

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 can shop with some leverage if you’re patient.

• Deal availability: 35.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,146 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 10.12% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 77.0% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $16,596, 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 $16,596 sits slightly below last year's $18,466.

That softer pricing suggests the model has already absorbed a meaningful amount of depreciation, which can help future sellers if they buy at the right price. If you purchase near the lower end of the current range and keep the vehicle in clean condition, you may be better positioned when it’s time to resell.

The market still appears active enough to support demand, especially for well-equipped examples with strong condition history. 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, while adaptive cruise control is also available.

One caveat is that the adaptive cruise control can be finicky in traffic, and the lane-keeping assist can feel unnatural even though it works. That means you should test the driver-assistance systems carefully if you plan to rely on them often.

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:

• 35.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 77% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 10.12% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It adds wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus standard Buick Driver Confidence safety tech.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $16,016, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $16,596 average.
• It offers more space and more powerful engines.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $19,177, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $16,596 average.
• It is a carryover with only minor paint updates.

The bottom line: The 2021 is the sweet spot if you want the newest version of this formula without paying the 2022’s higher average price. If you’re price-sensitive, the 2020 is the better value play; if you want the same basic package with no major changes, the 2022 only makes sense if you find a particularly strong listing.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 6, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.