Used 2021 Buick Encore GX Consumer Reviews
Used Encore GX for sale
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.
Long term owner
Colorado Rural Dan, 08/05/2021
updated 08/12/2024
2021 Buick Encore GX Preferred 4dr SUV AWD (1.3L 3cyl Turbo 9A)
89 of 91 people found this review helpful
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 cloth 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.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
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)
162 of 173 people found this review helpful
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 lane roads. The interior is great and with all the refinements of the premium brands in its class. Granted it doesn't have real leather or 24 speakers, but I don't need that. What I really liked is the moon and combined sun roof, camera system and the safety features. No other SUV in it's class came close. And some of the pro evaluator's said there was cabin road noise ??? I listen to the radio when I drive.
2021 Buick Encore GX for sale near you
3 of 50 listings
- Essence 4dr SUVMSRP: $18,9909 mi away
- Essence 4dr SUVMSRP: $21,5909 mi away
- Select 4dr SUVMSRP: $20,9984 mi away
See all 50 listings
I love my GX
Happy Owner, 11/15/2020
2021 Buick Encore GX Select 4dr SUV AWD (1.3L 3cyl Turbo 9A)
127 of 137 people found this review helpful
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. I would buy it again without hesitation.
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)
106 of 116 people found this review helpful
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 power with no turbo lag and quite quite. Mine includes the Advanced Tech Pkg Experience Buick Pkg, Convenience Pkg and is quite a vehicle that definitely feels a class above. It is higher in price but with this amount of tech (self parking anyone?), the quiet interior, very smooth ride and sharp styling I encourage anyone considering this car, and even those not considering it to drive it. You should be impressed. So no one is confused, the “Model” section below does not include an Essence FWD 1.3L forcing me to select the AWD option.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
I love my car!!
Ethan, 11/19/2020
2021 Buick Encore GX Select 4dr SUV AWD (1.3L 3cyl Turbo 9A)
63 of 69 people found this review helpful
I am in love with this car! It feels so zippy around town with the turbo 1.3. Power is adequate on the highway, but it definitely wont win any races. The interior feels more premium than other subcompact crossovers. The backseat has adequate space. The technology is where this car really shines! The lane keep assist is great, and so is the infotainment system. The only thing that would make this car better is if it had a bigger engine. Overall, I am in love with my Encore GX Select!
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value