Buick Encore GX Quick Facts
- Original starting price: $25,195 (including a $995 destination fee)
- Class: Compact Crossover
- Competitors: Honda HR-V, Kia Seltos, Mazda CX-30
- KBB.com Fair Purchase Price
Introduction
The Buick Encore GX is a subcompact crossover SUV with an elevated edge. Better equipped and more design-driven than the previous Encore, the 2021 Encore GX brings a premium feel and enhanced safety to the growing mainstream subcompact crossover segment.
First previewed for North American audiences in 2019 at the Los Angeles Auto Show, the Buick Encore GX arrived in early 2020 to join its siblings, the subcompact Encore and the midsize Envision. Positioned as an option for buyers who wanted more space and luxe-leaning amenities at a great price point, the Encore GX was a welcome addition to the lineup. Available in three models and a choice of two 3-cylinder engines, the 2021 Encore GX competes well in a strong class with the Mazda CX-30, Kia Seltos, and Honda HR-V.
The 2021 Buick Encore GX is a nicely equipped package with abundant driver assistance and convenience features. Rather than leaning into the off-road side of the sport utility space, the Encore GX is at home on the paved paths and city living.
Buick CPO Warranty Program Highlights
- Limited Warranty: 1 year/12,000 miles starting with the expiration of new car warranty or used car purchase
- Powertrain Warranty: 6 years/100,000 miles (whichever comes first) beginning at the first in-service date
- Roadside Assistance: 24/7, concurrent with powertrain warranty
- Buying a Certified Pre-Owned Buick
Key Competitors
KBB Review Highlights
Like its smaller sibling of a similar name, the 2021 Encore GX is a roomy, petite crossover built in South Korea. With a modern safety suite that includes automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assist, the Encore GX offers a confidence-inducing option for drivers who want all the luxury amenities at a value-conscious price.
All 2021 Buick Encore GX models get one of two Ecotec engines with either front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). The turbocharged 1.3-liter model powers the AWD version, has a standard 9-speed automatic transmission, and delivers 155 horsepower, while the 132-horsepower 1.2-liter models are FWD and have a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Both options provide a comfortable ride if moderately powered. Our favorite version, the 1.3-liter, has enough oomph and pep that you will think it’s an inline-4 rather than the turbocharged 3.
With a roomier interior than the original Encore, the Encore GX provides comfortable space for four or five in a pinch and enough leg room for adults to relax easily in the back row. Soft-touch materials add comfort to the front of the cabin. In the rear, the Encore GX’s interior is less high-touch and driven by plastic and firm surfaces. The rear seat folds flat. It also splits 60/40 for improved cargo flexibility, creating nearly as much space behind the rear seat as the larger Envision.
A handsome vehicle and brand win for Buick, the Encore GX looks more expensive with its broader body, longer frame, and more muscly stance. It is available in three levels: the entry-level Preferred, mid-tier Select, and top-tier Essence. Starting with a strong base, the entry-level, dubbed Preferred, is well-equipped with the 1.2-liter and the CVT and a solid safety system. The base offer has 18-inch wheels, an 8-inch touchscreen, push-button start, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, and a 4G Wi-Fi hotspot. As you rise through the trims, heated front seats, dual climate control, leather upholstery, an in-vehicle air ionizer, and enhancements to the safety package appear. The Essence trim tops the lineup with a leather interior, a 20-volt power outlet, and LED lighting.
Carrying over from launch in 2020, various factory options customize the 2021 Encore GX. These include the Sport Touring Package, which offers cosmetic enhancements like a black mesh grille, red exterior accents, and etched alloy wheels, and the Advanced Technology package, which enhances the Encore GX Select with navigation, adaptive cruise control, a heads-up display, and a parking assist package. Of note are the luxuriously appointed Encore GX Essence Flagship vehicles. They are unique and extremely limited in production. Beautifully elevated, the Enore GX enhances the in-car experience with sumptuous leather upholstery, a 7-speaker Bose audio system, sound, a dampened cabin, and an increased convenience package with a rear camera mirror and wireless charging capability.
Slightly larger than the second-generation Encore, the 2021 Encore GX offers buyers an excellent no-compromise option. It features a comprehensive safety and convenience suite and plenty of drive assistance features. A comfortable cabin and easy drive make it a winning choice in the compact crossover segment.
See Kelley Blue Book’s Expert Review of the 2021 Buick Encore GX
If you’re ready to shop, see certified pre-owned 2021 Buick models
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