Everything you need to know before buying a used GWM Steed 6 in South Africa — pricing by mileage, known faults, a buyer's inspection checklist, maintenance schedule and real owner feedback.
Strong modern bakkie at entry price, but Chinese brand resale risk and service scarcity require careful dealer proximity verification.
Pricing, specs and depreciation below are modelled on a 2024 GWM Steed 6 2.0VGT Double Cab SX 8AT 4x2 — figures will differ for other model years.
Est. Retail
R385k
Est. Trade
R340k
Annual Sales (SA)
~2,400
5yr Depreciation
52%
GWM Steed 6 buyer's guide
The 2024 GWM Steed 6 2.0VGT Double Cab SX 8AT is a compelling proposition for buyers seeking affordable bakkie practicality with modern creature comforts. As a newer-generation model positioned below the traditional Japanese hierarchy, it targets price-conscious operators and small business owners unwilling to stretch to Hilux or Ranger money. The 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine delivers 165 kW and 360 Nm—respectable figures for its class—while the 8-speed automatic is a significant step forward from the older manual-heavy competition, delivering smoother highway cruising and real urban convenience. Build quality has visibly improved with this generation, though GWM's Chinese manufacturing heritage still sits below Toyota and Ford in perceived durability. Parts and service availability in South Africa remain concentrated in major metros; rural dealers are scarce, making it essential to verify local workshop proximity before purchase. Fuel economy runs 9–10 L/100 km under mixed driving, competitive for a 2-tonne workhorse but thirsty by sedan standards. Resale remains unpredictable—Chinese brands have gained foothold but trade value is volatile and depend heavily on km and condition. At 40–60k km the Steed 6 represents a genuine value play, particularly if full service history is present and the vehicle hasn't been thrashed commercially. Buy if you prioritise payload and modern comfort over heritage badge confidence; pass if you need maximum trade-in certainty or operate beyond major service networks.
vs Isuzu D-Max 1.9TD LS Double Cab: The D-Max is more bulletproof mechanically and holds resale far better, but the Steed 6's turbocharged petrol offers more horsepower (165 kW vs 110 kW) and the 8AT gearbox is smoother than the D-Max's manual. Isuzu commands a premium for reliability; GWM undercuts on price.
vs Toyota Hilux 2.4GD-6 SRX Double Cab 4x2: The Hilux diesel is tougher, more thrifty (6.8 L/100 km), and carries unmatched resale strength, but costs ~R90k more. The Steed 6's petrol engine and automatic make it more user-friendly for urban light-duty work; the Hilux excels on farm and rough terrain.
GWM Steed 6 price in South Africa by mileageMedium confidence
Mileage band
Trade-in estimate
Retail estimate
0 – 20,000 km km
Est. R263k–R363k
Est. R320k–R418k
20,001 – 40,000 km km
Est. R247k–R342k
Est. R301k–R393k
40,001 – 60,000 km km
Est. R232k–R321k
Est. R283k–R369k
60,001 – 80,000 km km
Est. R219k–R303k
Est. R267k–R348k
80,001 – 100,000 km km
Est. R206k–R285k
Est. R251k–R327k
100,001 – 120,000 km km
Est. R193k–R266k
Est. R235k–R306k
120,001 – 140,000 km km
Est. R182k–R251k
Est. R221k–R289k
140,001 – 160,000 km km
Est. R171k–R236k
Est. R208k–R271k
160,001 – 180,000 km km
Est. R160k–R221k
Est. R195k–R254k
180,001 – 200,000 km km
Est. R151k–R209k
Est. R184k–R240k
200,000+ km km
Est. R142k–R197k
Est. R173k–R226k
Prices are estimated using modelled data for the SA market and may vary from an official industry valuation. Want the exact price for a specific vehicle? Use our Industry Valuation Report.
Common GWM Steed 6 problems & repair costs
Service Network Gaps
GWM has limited independent workshop coverage outside Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban; repairs in rural areas may require long-distance dealer trips or unverified mechanics.
Severity: MediumEst. repair: R500–R2,500 (travel/delay)Common at: 40k+ km
Resale Volatility
Chinese brand perception in SA remains volatile; trade-in values fluctuate sharply depending on dealer appetite and regional supply. A 2024 Steed 6 may lose 15–20% value faster than equivalent Hilux or Ranger.
Severity: MediumEst. repair: R50k–R120k (depreciation vs Japanese)Common at: 60k km
Turbo Petrol Maintenance
The 2.0VGT requires synthetic oil and regular turbo inspections; neglect leads to carbon buildup and boost loss. Some owners report pinging under hard acceleration in high heat.
Severity: LowEst. repair: R1,200–R3,500 (turbo service)Common at: 80k+ km
Buyer's inspection checklist
🔧Engine & Drivetrain
Cold start – listen for turbo lag or knock — Turbo petrol engines are prone to carbon deposit buildup if servicing is skipped; knock under boost suggests fuel quality issues or ignition timing drift.
Transmission – shift smoothly through all gears, no shudder or delay — The 8-speed is reliable but fluid degradation causes soft shifts and limp-mode trips; full service history is critical.
🚗Body & Exterior
Bed and tailgate for dents, rust, or separation welds — Commercial use leaves marks; galvanised bed protection is standard but poor repairs may hide corrosion or stress points in welds.
Tow points and step bars for bending or corrosion — Heavy towing without proper ball-weight setup causes step-bar cracks and frame creep; visible wear here indicates aggressive use.
💡Interior & Electronics
Infotainment display for responsiveness and Bluetooth pairing — GWM's 8-inch touchscreen is sourced cheaply; electrical gremlins (screen lag, audio dropout, reversing-camera blackouts) are common by 60k km.
Air-con refrigerant and compressor clutch engagement sound — The 2024 Steed 6 AC system uses older refrigerant specs; low refrigerant and compressor wear show up as weak cooling or clutch chatter.
📋Service History
Verify full dealer service book entries up to 40–60k km — GWM warranty becomes void if services are missed or done off-books; labour and parts costs spike without proof of schedule adherence.
Check for outstanding recalls or TSBs on GWM website — The 2024 Steed 6 generation has had software updates and turbo boost calibration revisions; unapplied fixes can trigger check-engine lights.
Recommended maintenance schedule
highEngine oil and filter change (synthetic) — Turbo sludge and bearing wear
Every 10,000 km or 6 months R450–R750
highTransmission fluid check and top-up (8-speed auto) — Soft shifts and gearbox failure
Every 20,000 km, full change at 60,000 km R180–R350 (check) | R1,200–R1,800 (full change)
mediumTurbocharger inspection and boost test — Turbo carbon buildup and loss of power
Every 40,000 km or annually R600–R1,200
mediumAir-conditioning refrigerant charge and compressor inspection — AC failure and interior mould growth
Every 12 months (recharge if weak); compressor check annually R350–R600 (recharge) | R2,500–R5,200 (compressor replacement)
GWM Steed 6 owner reviews
Owners praise the Steed 6's value, power, and automatic convenience, but express concern over service availability and long-term resale confidence in the Chinese brand. (62/100 owner approval)
👍
Strong Turbo Power & Smooth Auto
165 kW and 360 Nm feel generous for the class; the 8-speed automatic is a major step up from manual rivals, making highway cruising and urban stop-start genuinely pleasant.
👍
Excellent Value vs Japanese Peers
Entry price is ~R90–120k cheaper than equivalent Hilux or Ranger; cabin is modern with touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and decent trim on the SX variant.
👎
Service Network Gaps & Long Waits
Outside major metros, GWM dealers are sparse and wait times for repairs can exceed 2 weeks; many independent mechanics are reluctant to service turbo petrols.
👎
Resale & Depreciation Uncertainty
Chinese brand perception remains mixed; trade-in values are volatile and dealer appetite fluctuates wildly, making the 2024 Steed 6 a riskier long-term hold than Toyota or Ford equivalents.
GWM Steed 6 specifications
Engine
2.0L Turbocharged Petrol VGT
Power
165 kW @ 5,200 rpm
Torque
360 Nm @ 2,000–3,500 rpm
Transmission
8-Speed Automatic
Fuel consumption
9.2–10.1 L/100 km (mixed)
Fuel tank
70 litres
Boot capacity
1,590 litres (with tailgate down)
Kerb weight
1,810 kg
Top speed
187 km/h
0–100 km/h
10.8 seconds
Service interval
10,000 km or 6 months
Service plan
GWM 5-year/100,000 km plan available (optional)
Warranty
3 years / 100,000 km (standard)
Original price
R495,000 (2024 SX 8AT 4x2 base)
Frequently asked questions
A used GWM Steed 6 typically retails from around R385k depending on year, mileage and condition, with trade-in value around R340k. See the full pricing table above for estimates across all mileage bands.
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All information is either scraped, searched from live sources or AI training data. It is intended as a general research guide only and may not represent actual transaction values for a specific vehicle. RideReport is not a licensed valuations provider.