2021 Buick Encore GX Review

Name: 2021 Buick Encore GX
Brand: Buick

Price Range: $13,795 - $23,998

2021 Buick Encore GX Select 4dr SUV Exterior

Good

7.9

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

The 2021 Buick Encore GX took us by surprise with sprightly acceleration and competent handling. Buick's hallmarks, including a comfortable ride, an upscale interior and a robust list of tech features, are also included. That said, you do pay a (literal) price for these qualities since the Encore GX is expensive relative to its primary competition.

See all features & specs

Price & Payment

Select year

Average price: $19,397

Min$

Max$

See listings

Appraise My 2021 Buick Encore GX

Buick Encore GX model years

Buick Encore GX for Sale

Pros

Appealing design both inside and out
Pleasing mix of sharp handling with a comfortable ride quality
Desirable infotainment and driving assistance tech is standard
Lots of space for passengers and cargo

Cons

A little too noisy on the highway
Thick roof pillars reduce rear visibility
Costs nearly as much as one-size-bigger SUVs

What's new

Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility
Satellite radio now standard
Part of the first Encore GX generation introduced for 2020

Overview

Written by automotive expert Cameron Rogers

10/5/2020

Buick introduced the Encore GX last year to expand its lineup of SUVs. The naming can be confusing, though. There are actually two Encore SUVs: the original Encore extra-small SUV, which has been around since 2013, and the newish Encore GX. The "GX" part makes it sound like a trim level but it's effectively the replacement for the original Encore, even though Buick is selling both SUVs for 2021.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

For sale near Ashburn, VA

29 listings

Sort by:

Price Drop
2021 Buick Encore GX
Preferred 4dr SUV
$17,483
great price
$2,163 below market
- 28,972 miles
- No accidents, 1 owner, personal use
- 5 Seats, 28 City / 31 Hwy MPG
- Land Rover Tysons Corner (15 mi away)
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Keyless Entry/Start
- Tire Pressure Warnin...
- USB Inputs
Close
Located in Vienna, VA
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
29 Combined MPG (28 City/31 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: KL4MMBS24MB080004
Stock: B080004A
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 03-26-2026
New Listing
2021 Buick Encore GX
Preferred 4dr SUV
$19,998
fair price
$386 below market
- 21,845 miles
- No accidents, 1 owner, personal use only
- 5 Seats, 28 City / 31 Hwy MPG
- CarMax Cincinnati (378 mi away)
- Delivery available*
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Keyless Entry/Start
- Tire Pressure Warnin...
- USB Inputs
Close
Located in Cincinnati, OH
Wanna drive? CarMax puts you in the driver's seat-and that includes transparency. Certain cars may have unrepaired safety recalls, so check nhtsa.gov/...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
29 Combined MPG (28 City/31 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: KL4MMBS26MB069117
Stock: 28353614
Certified Pre-Owned: No

See all for sale

The 2021 Buick Encore GX is far and away the superior pick of the two. It has an updated interior, improved performance and more advanced safety features. It's also one of more upscale choices in its extra-small SUV class. As such, it costs a bit more than its competitors, but quality materials and unique tech — such as a head-up display and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto integration — help justify the premium.

Additional strengths include a roomy interior, a comfortable ride and relatively well-sorted handling characteristics. Other than narrow, stiff seats, the Encore GX doesn't have many faults. Just keep an eye on the price — the Buick starts at roughly the same price as larger, more refined vehicles in the small SUV class.

Edmunds Expert Rating

edmunds TESTED

by the Edmunds Experts

Good

7.9

out of 10

We drove the 2021 Buick Encore GX on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.

Performance

7.5/10

How does the Encore GX drive? The Encore GX is a surprisingly dynamic little SUV. There's impressively little body roll when you drive around turns, and there's a pleasing amount of grip. The steering is a bit light for easy maneuvering around town, but it's accurate and easy to judge.

Acceleration from the turbocharged 1.3-liter three-cylinder is a bit quicker than average for the segment; our test model covered 0-60 mph in 9.2 seconds. Around town, the engine feels strong.

There are only a few standout nitpicks. The brake pedal is fairly sensitive, and that can make it hard to consistently stop smoothly. Also, the nine-speed transmission takes a few ticks longer than we'd like to select the right gear when you want more power. Finally, the engine stop-start system bucks the car when it fires back up at a stoplight. Thankfully, you can shut it off.

Comfort

7.5/10

How comfortable is the Encore GX? The Encore GX is generally well tuned for comfort. The ride is well controlled and doesn't transmit many road imperfections to the cabin. You will feel a jolt in the cabin, though, if you drive over square-edged bumps. The climate control is strong, and the seat heaters warm up quickly.

Front seat comfort is underwhelming. The padding is firm, and some drivers will wish for more lateral support. Tire noise is noticeable at highway speeds, and the three-cylinder is particularly vocal. Even if you aren't flooring the throttle, you'll hear the engine rumble and roar when pulling away from a stop. You can also feel engine vibrations through the steering wheel; most modern cars have filtered such vibration out.

Interior

8.5/10

How’s the interior? The Encore GX's interior is thoughtfully designed and uncomplicated. It's a nice mix of digital and analog, with physical buttons used for some controls that other cars might bury in a screen menu. The infotainment interface is easy to use and features snappy responses.

Though you'll have to duck to get inside, the cabin is roomy enough to not further hamper entry or exit. Without the optional sunroof, the GX has plenty of headroom front and back, and there's good legroom for taller passengers too. The driver's seat feels a little upright, but most drivers should be able to fit easily. Side-rear visibility is somewhat hampered by a sweeping beltline.

Technology

9/10

How’s the tech? The breadth and execution of the tech on display really make the Encore GX stand out. Though its volume doesn't go very high, the base audio system is one of the best in class in terms of sound quality. The navigation system also works great. It uses predictive text so you don't have to type out an entire point of interest, and even incomplete searches usually net the correct destination. Four USB ports, a 120-volt outlet and a wireless charging pad ensure your devices are fully powered.

There are a lot of safety features, including rarities such as a 360-degree camera system and a digital rearview mirror. All safety features are well executed, though the forward collision warning is a touch too sensitive. We applaud the Encore GX for offering a voice command system — many vehicles in this class don't. We do wish this Buick used more natural language recognition. Some commands, and their results, can be a bit frustrating.

Storage

8/10

How’s the storage? The GX's surprising sense of space carries over to the cargo area. It measures 23.5 cubic feet with the rear seats up (a few cubes larger than most in this class) and 50.2 cubes folded — roughly average for the segment. We like that the rear seats fold flat without having to move the front seats forward. The liftgate height is adjustable, so even tall people can load items without hitting the bottom edge of the hatch.

The cupholders will hold beverages of most sizes, provided you aren't packing a large Yeti tumbler. Cubbies are relatively small but numerous, with spaces in front of the shifter and armrest. Under the armrest is a useful bin with a divider tray. The door pockets are merely adequate. For kid duty, the Encore GX works out OK. There's decent room for child safety seats, but the car seat anchors are somewhat hidden and hard to spot.

Fuel Economy

8/10

How’s the fuel economy? The Encore GX AWD gets an EPA-estimated 28 mpg combined (26 city/29 highway). These numbers are typical for the class, and we exceeded these figures on our 115-mile real-world evaluation route. While we often post results somewhere between the combined and highway rating, we achieved a 31.1 mpg average with the Encore GX. This is among the best results we've observed from an extra-small SUV.

Value

7.5/10

Is the Encore GX a good value? The cabin is a clear step above other vehicles in the class, allowing the GX to toe the line between standard and luxury small SUVs. The interior design elements look fetching, and there's more ample use of soft-touch plastic than in budget-conscious rivals.

But the upscale accommodations come at a literal cost. The Encore GX is quite expensive for a subcompact crossover SUV, with prices that start within a whisper of top-ranked small SUVs. With that in mind, we think a larger model such as a Honda CR-V or Mazda CX-5 gives you more refinement and better bang for the buck. But if you want a premium small SUV without paying full price for a luxury model, the Encore GX makes a strong case for itself.

The bumper-to-bumper and powertrain warranties are average for the segment, but roadside assistance is offered for longer than usual. The first service visit is complimentary.

Wildcard

7.5/10

The Encore GX is anonymously styled, but the Sport Touring package gives buyers the ability to have their GX stand out from the crowd a bit. The Encore GX also wins points for its handsome interior and wide variety of safety and technology features. The turbocharged three-cylinder gives it some personality, especially with the ample low-end torque making you feel like it's faster than it actually is.

2021 Buick Encore GX trim level differences

The 2021 Buick Encore GX is an extra-small crossover SUV offered in three trim levels: Preferred, Select and Essence. Standard on all front-wheel-drive models is a turbocharged 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine (137 horsepower, 162 lb-ft) paired to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Standard on all-wheel-drive models — and optional for front-wheel-drive Select and Essence trims — is a turbocharged 1.3-liter three-cylinder (155 hp, 174 lb-ft). This engine is paired to a CVT on front-wheel-drive models, while AWD versions get a nine-speed automatic transmission. Compare the 2021 Buick Encore GX trim levels in-depth.

Which Encore GX trim does Edmunds recommend?

We think the Select offers the best balance of features for the money. Make sure to opt for the turbocharged 1.3-liter engine. It's a modestly priced upgrade that brings a bit more power and torque, along with reduced fuel consumption. We also recommend the Advanced Technology package for its wealth of upgrades.

Cost to Drive

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$166/mo

$217/mo

Avg. Compact SUV

Calculate my fuel costs

See Edmunds pricing data

Has Your Car's Value Changed?

Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.

Year

Make

Model

See pricing history

Reliability

The 2021 Buick Encore GX has a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic warranty and 2 recalls. Below you’ll find our owner reviews.

Recalls

2 recalls found

Checking if a car has a recall is simple. Just type the car's VIN number into the NHTSA website (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). If there's an unrepaired recall, you'll see it there.

If a recall shows up, just call your local car dealer. They'll know about the recall and will work with the car maker to fix it for free (if the recall happened within 10 years of the car being first sold).

Recall Number:: 21V440000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: A212335470
Number of vehicles affected:: 135400
Defect Description:: General Motors, LLC. (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Buick Encore GX and 2021-2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer vehicles. The emergency jack, if not positioned as directed in the vehicle owner's manual, can fracture while in use.
Defect Consequence:: A fractured jack can cause the vehicle to collapse, increasing the risk of injury.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will replace the jack, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owner of the safety risk are expected to be mailed July 26, 2021. A second notice will be mailed once remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is A212335470.

Recall Number:: 20V588000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: A202307260
Number of vehicles affected:: 3317
Defect Description:: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Corvette and Cadillac CT4, CT5 and XT4, 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer, and 2020-2021 Buick Encore GX vehicles. Sensor connection contamination in the electronic brake boost system may cause an interruption of communication between the sensor and the brake boost system.
Defect Consequence:: If communication with the sensor is interrupted, the electronic brake boost assist could be lost. Extra pedal force will be required to slow and stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electronic brake boost module, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin November 9, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, or Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is A202307260.

Warranty

3 years / 36,000 miles Basic Warranty

Basic Warranty: 3 years / 36,000 miles
Drivetrain Warranty: 5 years / 60,000 miles
Rust Warranty: 6 years / 100,000 miles
Roadside assistance Warranty: 5 years / 60,000 miles
Free maintenance Warranty: 1 years / unlimited miles

Buick Encore GX Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.0

57 reviews

5(56%)

4(12%)

3(12%)

2(11%)

1(9%)

See all 57 reviews of the Buick Encore GX

Write a vehicle review

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Trending topics

Long term owner

Colorado Rural Dan, 08/05/2021

2021 Buick Encore GX Preferred 4dr SUV AWD (1.3L 3cyl Turbo 9A)

Know that this vehicle is better than the "professional" reviewers give it credit for. Incredible room up front. Very easy for this large Colorado, hat wearing cowboy, to get in and out of. My wife and I have no children at home so we are not concerned about back seat layout so I will not comment on that. Controls are intuitive, easy to use. Setting up my wife's apple and my android … phone was a snap. The car comes with it's own hotspot which is really nice in Colorado where we often had no cell reception while driving. Though we repeatedly saw that mileage on the highway would be at best 30mpg out real life experience, so far, is 36mpg. We live very rural and so do little to no "city" driving. Was not looking to buy a new SUV when we found this but could not refuse the deal Buick offered. Our good fortune. It is NOT underpowered. The EncoreGX gets the job done! If you are in the market for a new small SUV, look at the EncoreGX. Ours is in "preferred" trim 4wd, and truly cannot see why I would spend the extra to go up a model. This has everything that we could want. Update: I have now had this vehicle for 10 months. The 4wd has worked well for this winter. Handling has been excellent I did replace the all seasons with snow tires. The hot spot was ok but did not work as well as I initially thought so did not pay for the subscription and let it lapse. The paint seems to chip easier than I think it should so I now have a bottle of touch up to use so that it does not become a problem. Would still rate this 4.5 stars. Would recommend and would buy again in the same situation. Update: Have now had for 1 year. Still love it. Now I see a reason for the upgrade and wish I had, as by now the extra money spent would seem inconsequential. I have the clothes seats, white. Would be much easier to keep clean if they were leather. I miss that it does not have the adaptive cruise control that keeps you spaced from the car ahead. I would still recommend to anyone wanting a small SUV. By the way, up here at 8,000 plus feet it gets over 40 mpg. I know it would not do that down at near sea level but is a nice thing anyway. 22000 miles now, year and a half in. Would still buy again, would recommend to a friend. Thought about upgrading to a 2023, however the Buick does not hold its value like my Subarus do so cancelled that idea. Update: Have now had for 38000 miles. No problems. As it has a turbo engine I change oil every 5000 miles to make sure the turbo charger is always running on clean oil. Has worked so far. If interest rates become reasonable again I will trade in for a new one. Would stick with the GX as I really like the way it handles in these mountain snows and I find it very comfortable to drive. Update: Still running strong. 34,000 miles plus. No major problems. Still like this vehicle a lot. Highly recommend. My model has the 6 year transmission with awd capability. Cannot speak to the 2wd models with the CVTs. Now at 48000. Still love it. Small problem, the oil drain plug is plastic, yep, not sure if that is just my year or is still that way. Thing is they break. Costly to have my mechanic replace it. Found a deal online where I bought a dozen. Every other oil change I now replace the plug. The plastic will get brittle and crack. Could be I could just replace with a steel plug but I did it this way. Last winter my washer lines froze and now my reservoir leaks. Will repair at next oil change. Still going strong still recommend.

To Me It's Best Sub Compact SUV For The Price

Zolman, 12/08/2020

2021 Buick Encore GX Essence 4dr SUV AWD (1.3L 3cyl Turbo 9A)

I've test driven all the sub compact SUV under $50,000. The Encore GX didn't have the raw power of some of the other brands BUT it had all I needed plus much better gas mileage. We just got done with a 650 mile road trip and averaged 38MPG. That's much better than the rating and all we did was drive speed limit. It's got enough power to merge into traffic and pass slow traffic on two …

I love my GX

Happy Owner, 11/15/2020

2021 Buick Encore GX Select 4dr SUV AWD (1.3L 3cyl Turbo 9A)

So I am not an automotive aficionado, I am an average middle-class consumer. I have read reports of “sloppy steering”, awkward displays, etc., and I have experienced none of that. It’s a great looking little SUV that you can park almost anywhere. I have the 1.3 liter turbo and it’s a lot peppier than my previous Encore’s 1.4L engine. For the price, I just don’t know how you can beat it. …

This car is NOT slow (with 1.3L)

Peter, 12/17/2020

2021 Buick Encore GX Essence 4dr SUV AWD (1.3L 3cyl Turbo 9A)

Purchased a 2021 Encore GX Essence and it is a fantastic car. Let’s address the elephant in the room first; SO many reviews of this car are positive until they get to the engine and then it all falls apart with comments pertaining to it being very slow and loud. Mine is FWD and most reviews are with AWD which may be part of the problem. My experience with the 1.3L has been instantaneous …

2021 Buick Encore GX video

Top Subcompact SUVs for 2021-2022 | Extra-Small & Easy to Drive – What's Not to Like?

Subcompact SUVs have been gaining in popularity over the last few years. For people who don't need or want the space of a midsize SUV or for those who just want to save a few bucks, a subcompact SUV is a smart and economical choice. These extra-small SUVs maintain that elevated ride height and utility of their larger counterparts, but their smaller size means easier…

2021 Encore GX Features & Specs

Trim:

Preferred

MSRP (New) Excludes Destination Fee	$24,200
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	29 MPG
Cost to Drive	$166/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	23.5 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the Encore GX models:

Teen Driver: Monitors teen driver use of a vehicle, providing a driving report card to parents after the teen returns home.
Buick Driver Confidence: Bundles a collection of driving aids including forward collision warning, pedestrian detection and automatic emergency braking.
OnStar and Buick Connected Services: Provides automatic collision notifications and other connected safety services through OnStar.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger4 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover18.5%

People who viewed this also viewed

Buick Envista
4.3 average Rating out of 3 reviews.
Starting at $24,700

See Buick Envista Inventory

Chevrolet Trailblazer
5.0 average Rating out of 5 reviews.
Starting at $23,300

See Chevrolet Trailblazer Inventory

Hyundai Kona
4.1 average Rating out of 7 reviews.
Starting at $25,500

See Hyundai Kona Inventory

2021 Buick Encore GX Review

Price & Payment

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

For sale near Ashburn, VA

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

2021 Buick Encore GX trim level differences

Which Encore GX trim does Edmunds recommend?

Cost to Drive

Reliability

Recalls

Warranty

Buick Encore GX Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

2021 Buick Encore GX video

2021 Encore GX Features & Specs

Safety

People who viewed this also viewed