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Used 2021 Buick Encore GX SUV Trims Comparison

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.

Preferred
The base Preferred model comes standard with:

  • Alloy wheels
  • Heated mirrors
  • Keyless entry and ignition
  • Leather-wrapped steering wheel
  • Height-adjustable driver's seat
  • Cloth/imitation leather combination upholstery

Included safety and technology features:

  • 8-inch touchscreen
  • Onboard Wi-Fi hotspot
  • Six-speaker audio system
  • Satellite radio
  • Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration
  • Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
  • Lane departure mitigation (warns you of a lane departure when a turn signal isn't used and can automatically steer to maintain lane position)

Options for the Encore GX Preferred include a sunroof and a power liftgate. You can also add the following packages:

Cold Weather Comfort package

  • Remote engine start
  • Power-adjustable driver's seat
  • Heated front seats

Safety package

  • Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front)
  • Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)
  • Rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle behind you is about to cross your vehicle's path while in reverse)

Select
Moving up to the Select trim adds:

  • Cold Weather Comfort package
  • Roof rails
  • Dual-zone automatic climate control
  • Rear armrest
  • Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)
  • Rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle behind you is about to cross your vehicle's path while in reverse)

The hands-free liftgate and Sport Touring package are optional for the Select as well. Other options include:

Advanced Technology package

  • Navigation system
  • Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line onto a piece of plastic near the windshield)
  • 360-degree camera (gives you a top-down view of the car for tight parking situations)
  • Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front)

Experience Buick package

  • Wheels with chrome elements
  • Sunroof

Essence
The top-trim Essence comes standard with:

  • LED headlights
  • In-cabin air ionizer (helps remove air particulates)
  • Auto-dimming rearview mirror
  • Heated steering wheel
  • Driver-seat memory settings
  • Power passenger seat
  • Leather upholstery

As with the other trims, several options are available for the Essence. These include:

  • Advanced Technology package
  • Experience Buick package
  • Hands-free liftgate
  • Convenience package
    • Wireless charging pad
    • Automatic wipers
    • Rearview camera integrated with rearview mirror (allows you to display a live rear camera video feed on the rearview mirror)
    • Automated parking system (steers into a parking spot with no driver intervention)
  • Seven-speaker Bose audio system

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.

Compare trims side-by-side

Comparing average pricing near
London, KY
Vehicle
Encore GX Preferred
Encore GX Select
Encore GX Essence
Vehicle
Preferred
1.2L 3cyl Turbo CVT
See all Encore GX Preferred for sale
1 for sale near you
Essence
1.2L 3cyl Turbo CVT
See all Encore GX Essence for sale
3 for sale near you
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Section Title

Features

Features

Features

Bluetooth
standard
standard
standard
Navigation
Not Available
optional
optional
Satellite radio
standard
standard
standard
Keyless Ignition
standard
standard
standard
Cruise control
standard
standard
standard
Adaptive cruise control
optional
optional
optional
Parking assistance
optional
optional
optional
Upholstery
leatherette/cloth
leatherette/cloth
leather
Heated seats
optional
standard
standard
Cooled/Ventilated seats
Not available
Not available
Not available
Folding rear seats
standard
standard
standard
Sunroof
optional
optional
optional
Section Title

Specifications

Specifications

Specifications

Drivetrain
front wheel drive
front wheel drive
front wheel drive
Engine power
137 hp @ 5,000 rpm
137 hp @ 5,000 rpm
137 hp @ 5,000 rpm
Engine torque
162 lb-ft @ 2,500 rpm
162 lb-ft @ 2,500 rpm
162 lb-ft @ 2,500 rpm
Engine displacement
1.2 l
1.2 l
1.2 l
Engine configuration
inline 3
inline 3
inline 3
Transmission
continuously variable-speed automatic
continuously variable-speed automatic
continuously variable-speed automatic
Tire size
225/55R18
225/55R18
225/55R18
Wheel size
18 X 7.0-in
18 X 7.0-in
18 X 7.0-in
Wheel type
painted alloy wheels
painted alloy wheels
painted alloy wheels
Run flat tires
Not available
Not available
Not available
Section Title

Fuel economy

Fuel economy

Fuel economy

City/Hwy/Combined MPG
28 / 31 / 29 MPG
28 / 31 / 29 MPG
28 / 31 / 29 MPG
City/Hwy/Combined MPGe
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Fuel Capacity
13.2 gal.
13.2 gal.
13.2 gal.
Driving Range (city/hwy)
370 / 409 miles
370 / 409 miles
370 / 409 miles
Fuel Type
regular unleaded
regular unleaded
regular unleaded
Section Title

Dimensions

Dimensions

Dimensions

Turning circle
N/A
N/A
N/A
Curb weight
Ground Clearance
7.5 in.
7.5 in.
7.5 in.
Overall Width with Mirrors
Overall Width without Mirrors
71.4 in.
71.4 in.
71.4 in.
Height
64.1 in.
64.1 in.
Length
171.4 in.
171.4 in.
171.4 in.
Wheelbase
102.2 in.
102.2 in.
102.2 in.
Seating Capacity
Cargo Space
23.5 cu. ft.
23.5 cu. ft.
23.5 cu. ft.
Front Head Room
39.7 in.
39.7 in.
39.7 in.
Front Leg Room
40.9 in.
40.9 in.
40.9 in.
Front Shoulder Room
55.4 in.
55.4 in.
55.4 in.
Rear Head Room
38.1 in.
38.1 in.
38.1 in.
Rear Leg Room
36.0 in.
36.0 in.
36.0 in.
Rear Shoulder Room
53.6 in.
53.6 in.
53.6 in.
Section Title

5-Year Ownership Costs

5-Year Ownership Costs

5-Year Ownership Costs

True Cost to Own®
$34,602
$34,894
$36,309
Average Cost Per Mile
$0.46
$0.47
$0.48
Depreciation
$8,000
$8,119
$8,816
Financing
$3,136
$3,270
$3,481
Taxes & Fees
$1,016
$1,055
$1,116
Fuel
$8,152
$8,152
$8,152
Insurance
$4,598
$4,598
$5,044
Maintenance
$6,845
$6,845
$6,845
Repairs
$2,855
$2,855
$2,855
Section Title

Colors

Colors

Colors

Interior
Whisper Beige w/Ebony Interior Accents, leatherette/cloth
Ebony Seats w/Ebony Interior Accents, leatherette/cloth
Whisper Beige w/Ebony Interior Accents, leatherette/cloth
Ebony Seats w/Ebony Interior Accents, leatherette/cloth
Ebony Seats w/Ebony Interior Accents, leather
Signet Seats w/Ebony Interior Accents, leather
Whisper Beige w/Ebony Interior Accents, leather
Exterior
Satin Steel Metallic
White Frost Tricoat
Burnished Bronze Metallic
Deep Azure Metallic
Black Currant Metallic
Chili Red Metallic
Summit White
Dark Moon Blue Metallic
Ebony Twilight Metallic
Satin Steel Metallic
White Frost Tricoat
Burnished Bronze Metallic
Deep Azure Metallic
Black Currant Metallic
Chili Red Metallic
Summit White
Dark Moon Blue Metallic
Ebony Twilight Metallic
Satin Steel Metallic
White Frost Tricoat
Burnished Bronze Metallic
Deep Azure Metallic
Black Currant Metallic
Chili Red Metallic
Summit White
Dark Moon Blue Metallic
Ebony Twilight Metallic