Used 2021 Buick Encore GX for Sale nearWashington, DC

How much does the 2021 Buick Encore GX cost?

Prices have softened 9.88% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,064 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 many also like the abundance of standard safety features. In everyday use, it fits buyers who want a refined-feeling small crossover with easy-to-use technology and a quiet cabin. The main trade-offs are poor ride quality and fairly pedestrian performance, and value for money is also a recurring concern. With 33.6% of listings priced as good or great deals, the market 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 points to a vehicle that many owners find dependable and trouble-free in daily use, with praise centered on its overall ownership experience and long-term appeal. The expert evaluation also describes the powertrain as adequate for freeway cruising and notes that the brakes perform well, which supports the sense that it is easy to live with. Buick also includes Teen Driver technology and Tire Fill Alert, which can help with day-to-day ownership. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that reported brake concerns and mixed reliability feedback deserve a careful pre-purchase inspection.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 77.8% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a vehicle history report on any candidate, even if the listing looks clean. Prioritize a thorough inspection of the brakes, ride quality, and cabin electronics, since those are the areas most likely to affect your ownership experience. Focus on how the SUV feels on rough pavement and whether its technology works smoothly in real-world use.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The lineup includes base Preferred, mid-grade Select, and top-shelf Essence trim levels, with the Sport Touring appearance package available across the range. Base-trim buyers should pay close attention to feature gaps, since blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert is optional on Preferred but standard on Select and Essence.
• Powertrain: Two turbocharged three-cylinder engines are available. The 1.2-liter engine comes only with front-wheel drive, while the 1.3-liter engine is available with front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive; the larger engine brings stronger output and better low-end torque.
• 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, voice recognition, SiriusXM 360L, and a surround-view camera.
• Fuel efficiency: The Encore GX is described as fuel-efficient, and testing returned 28.2 mpg on the evaluation 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 starting price and are comfortable with the standard equipment. It is the trim where blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert is optional, so you should check carefully for that feature if safety tech matters to you.
• Select: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds more standard equipment while keeping the lineup accessible. 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 the one to consider if you want the richest feature set and the most premium feel. It is also the trim used for the test vehicle, which suggests it is the best fit if you want the Encore GX at its most fully equipped.

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 is a moderate market, so you can shop selectively without expecting every listing to be a bargain.

• Deal availability: 33.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,064 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 9.88% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 77.8% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $16,693, 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 $16,693 sits slightly below last year's $18,524.

That decline suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you buy at a more favorable point in the cycle. If you plan to sell later, the softer pricing means you should be realistic about depreciation and focus on buying well rather than assuming strong appreciation. Well-equipped examples with clean history and strong condition should hold buyer interest better than neglected ones.

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, and Teen Driver technology plus automatic collision notification can add useful ownership support. The expert evaluation also notes that the adaptive cruise control can be awkward in traffic and that lane-keeping assist feels unnatural, even if it works.

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:

• 33.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 77.8% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 9.88% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It adds wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus a quiet cabin and easy-to-use technology.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $16,045, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $16,693 average.
• It offers more space and more powerful engines than the Encore.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $19,480, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $16,693 average.
• It is a carryover model with four new exterior paint colors.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance 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 the 2022 mainly makes sense if you specifically want a newer example and are willing to pay more.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 22, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.