2021
Buick Encore

Starts at:

$25,220

Shop options

See ratings

Consumer rating

Owner reviewed vehicle score

Safety rating

NHTSA tested vehicle score

Available trims

See the differences side-by-side to compare trims.

FWD 4dr

Starts at

$23,200

24 City / 32 Hwy

MPG

5

Seat capacity

Turbocharged I4

Engine

Front Wheel Drive

Drivetrain

See all specs
FWD 4dr Preferred

Starts at

$24,600

24 City / 32 Hwy

MPG

5

Seat capacity

Turbocharged I4

Engine

Front Wheel Drive

Drivetrain

See all specs
AWD 4dr Preferred

Starts at

$25,220

23 City / 30 Hwy

MPG

5

Seat capacity

Turbocharged I4

Engine

All Wheel Drive

Drivetrain

See all specs

Photo & video gallery

Notable features

Five-seat subcompact SUV

Front- or all-wheel drive

138-hp, turbo four-cylinder engine

8-inch touchscreen standard

Forward collision warning available

The good & the bad

The good

Small size makes it city-friendly

Seating position offers great visibility

Android Auto, Apple CarPlay standard

Onboard Wi-Fi hot spot standard

Front passenger seat folds down for long cargo

The bad

Engine performance

Stop-start system not smooth

Front seats uncomfortable, lack support

Automatic emergency braking not offered

No armrest for front passenger

See all specifications

Expert 2021 Buick Encore review

Our expert's take

By Cars.com Editors

Full article

What Is the 2021 Buick Encore?

The Encore is a subcompact SUV that seats five. It’s powered by a standard 138-horsepower, turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine and paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard and all-wheel drive is available. Competitors include the Audi Q3, BMW X1 and Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class.

What’s New on the 2021 Buick Encore?

There are no significant changes.

What Features in the 2021 Buick Encore Are Most Important?

Standard features include:

8-inch touchscreen multimedia system
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity
4G LTE Wi-Fi hot spot
Fold-flat front passenger seat
Power-adjustable driver’s seat

Available features include:

All-wheel drive
Blind spot warning
Rear cross-traffic alert
Lane departure warning
Forward collision warning
Rain-sensing windshield wipers

Should I Buy the 2021 Buick Encore?

If you’re a city-dweller willing to sacrifice some cabin space for a subcompact SUV with connectivity and good visibility, the Encore might be a good fit. The SUV’s lack of standard active safety features, however, is a demerit.

2021 Buick Encore review: Our expert's take

What Is the 2021 Buick Encore?

What’s New on the 2021 Buick Encore?

There are no significant changes.

What Features in the 2021 Buick Encore Are Most Important?

Standard features include:

8-inch touchscreen multimedia system
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity
4G LTE Wi-Fi hot spot
Fold-flat front passenger seat
Power-adjustable driver’s seat

Available features include:

All-wheel drive
Blind spot warning
Rear cross-traffic alert
Lane departure warning
Forward collision warning
Rain-sensing windshield wipers

Should I Buy the 2021 Buick Encore?

Available cars near you

$13,895

Used 2021 Buick Encore Preferred

4 mi away
$20,710

Used 2021 Buick Encore Preferred

8 mi away
$13,664

Used 2021 Buick Encore Preferred

42 mi away
$17,454

Used 2021 Buick Encore Preferred

43 mi away
$19,732

Used 2021 Buick Encore Preferred

92 mi away
$14,675

Used 2021 Buick Encore Preferred

92 mi away

Safety review

Based on the 2021 Buick Encore base trim

NHTSA crash test and rollover ratings, scored out of 5.

Overall rating: 5/5
Combined side rating front seat: 5/5
Combined side rating rear seat: 5/5
Frontal barrier crash rating driver: 5/5
Frontal barrier crash rating passenger: 5/5
Overall frontal barrier crash rating: 5/5
Overall side crash rating: 5/5
Rollover rating: 4/5
Side barrier rating: 5/5

Side barrier rating driver: 5/5
Side barrier rating passenger rear seat: 5/5
Side pole rating driver front seat: 5/5

17.9%

Risk of rollover

Side barrier rating driver: 5/5
Side barrier rating passenger rear seat: 5/5
Side pole rating driver front seat: 5/5

17.9%

Risk of rollover

Factory warranties

New car program benefits

Basic

3 years / 36,000 miles

Corrosion

3 years / 36,000 miles

Powertrain

5 years / 60,000 miles

Roadside Assistance

5 years / 60,000 miles

Certified Pre-Owned program benefits

Age / mileage

5 model years or newer / up to 75,000 miles

Basic

12 months / 12,000 miles bumper-to-bumper original warranty, then may continue to 6 years / 100,000 miles limited (depending on variables)

Dealer certification

172-point inspection

See all CPO program details

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2021

4.6

Buick Encore

Starts at

$23,200

24 City / 32 Hwy

MPG

5

Seat capacity

Turbocharged I4

Engine

Front-wheel Drive

Drivetrain

Compare
2021

4.4

Buick Encore GX

Starts at

$24,200

28 City / 31 Hwy

MPG

5

Seat capacity

Turbocharged

Engine

Front-wheel drive

Drivetrain

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2020

4.5

Chevrolet Trax

Starts at

$21,300

26 City / 31 Hwy

MPG

5

Seat capacity

Turbocharged Gas 4-Cyl

Engine

Front-wheel drive

Drivetrain

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2023

4.5

Kia Seltos

Starts at

$23,340

27 City / 31 Hwy

MPG

5

Seat capacity

Regular Unleaded I-4

Engine

All-wheel drive

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2019

4.4

Ford EcoSport

Starts at

$19,995

27 City / 29 Hwy

MPG

5

Seat capacity

Regular Unleaded I-4

Engine

Front-wheel drive

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2018

4.7

Buick Encore

Starts at

$22,990

25 City / 33 Hwy

MPG

5

Seat capacity

Turbocharged I4

Engine

Front-wheel drive

Drivetrain

Compare
Compare more options

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Most recent

By Laura

Owns this car

May 25, 2024

We love this car.

We love this car. Drives well. interior has a luxury car feel. my husband and i are both tall and a little heavy and there is plenty of room in both front seats for us. you do need to have light weight, slightly shorter friends for the back seat. the only drawback i can even think of is there is not a ton of room for multiple

suitcases if you are picking up another couple at the airport. other than that, this is a great auto. we have had it for 3 years and have not had one single problem with it!!!

Does recommend this car

Comfort 5.0

Interior 5.0

Performance 5.0

Value 5.0

Exterior 5.0

Reliability 5.0

4 people out of 4 found this review helpful. Did you?

Yes

By Nathan from Lubbock, TX

Owns this car

June 19, 2023

Great Sub SUV

Reviews low engine power. I took this car across 2 mountain ranges and it did great. On real step inclines it would drop 1 mph starting up but regain it before we hit the top. I had no problems passing other vehicles. Handled well in heavy rain and windy conditions. I'm not sure what the top end speed is, but it's over a 110.

Purchased a Used car
Used for Transporting family
Does recommend this car

Comfort 4.0

Interior 5.0

Performance 5.0

Value 5.0

Exterior 5.0

Reliability 5.0

7 people out of 7 found this review helpful. Did you?

Yes

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FAQ

What trim levels are available for the 2021 Buick Encore?

The 2021 Buick Encore is available in 2 trim levels:

(1 style)
Preferred (2 styles)

What is the MPG of the 2021 Buick Encore?

The 2021 Buick Encore offers up to 24 MPG in city driving and 32 MPG on the highway. These figures are based on EPA mileage ratings and are for comparison purposes only. The actual mileage will vary depending on vehicle options, trim level, driving conditions, driving habits, vehicle maintenance, and other factors.

What are some similar vehicles and competitors of the 2021 Buick Encore?

The 2021 Buick Encore compares to and/or competes against the following vehicles:

Is the 2021 Buick Encore reliable?

The 2021 Buick Encore has an average reliability rating of 4.7 out of 5 according to cars.com consumers. Find real-world reliability insights within consumer reviews from 2021 Buick Encore owners.

Is the 2021 Buick Encore a good SUV?

Below are the cars.com consumers ratings for the 2021 Buick Encore. 81.2% of drivers recommend this vehicle.

4.6 / 5

Based on 16 reviews

Comfort: 4.7
Interior: 4.8
Performance: 4.4
Value: 4.7
Exterior: 4.8
Reliability: 4.7

Buick Encore history

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2021 Buick Encore

Available trims

Photo & video gallery

Notable features

The good & the bad

The good

The bad

Expert 2021 Buick Encore review

What Is the 2021 Buick Encore?

What’s New on the 2021 Buick Encore?

What Features in the 2021 Buick Encore Are Most Important?

Should I Buy the 2021 Buick Encore?

2021 Buick Encore review: Our expert's take

What Is the 2021 Buick Encore?

What’s New on the 2021 Buick Encore?

What Features in the 2021 Buick Encore Are Most Important?

Should I Buy the 2021 Buick Encore?

Available cars near you

Safety review

Factory warranties

New car program benefits

Certified Pre-Owned program benefits

Compare similar vehicles

Consumer reviews

Most recent

We love this car.

Great Sub SUV

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Buick dealers near you

FAQ

What trim levels are available for the 2021 Buick Encore?

What is the MPG of the 2021 Buick Encore?

What are some similar vehicles and competitors of the 2021 Buick Encore?

Is the 2021 Buick Encore reliable?

Is the 2021 Buick Encore a good SUV?

Buick Encore history

2021
Buick Encore