Kia Telluride — Price, Faults & Buyer's Guide
Everything you need to know before buying a used Kia Telluride in South Africa — pricing by mileage, known faults, a buyer's inspection checklist, maintenance schedule and real owner feedback.
3-row luxury SUVV6 petrol engineAWD capableLow mileage band
7.8
Strong Buy
Premium 3-row flagship with proven V6 reliability, excellent space and comfort; strong residual hold in SA market.
Est. Retail
R950k
Est. Trade
R825k
Annual Sales (SA)
~280
5yr Depreciation
38%
Kia Telluride price in South Africa by mileageMedium confidence
| Mileage band | Trade-in estimate | Retail estimate |
|---|---|---|
| 0 – 20,000 km km | Est. R994k–R1365k | Est. R1212k–R1569k |
| 20,001 – 40,000 km km | Est. R922k–R1266k | Est. R1124k–R1455k |
| 40,001 – 60,000 km km | Est. R858k–R1178k | Est. R1046k–R1354k |
| 60,001 – 80,000 km km | Est. R802k–R1101k | Est. R978k–R1265k |
| 80,001 – 100,000 km km | Est. R745k–R1024k | Est. R909k–R1176k |
| 100,001 – 120,000 km km | Est. R697k–R957k | Est. R850k–R1101k |
| 120,001 – 140,000 km km | Est. R641k–R880k | Est. R782k–R1012k |
| 140,001 – 160,000 km km | Est. R601k–R825k | Est. R733k–R949k |
| 160,001 – 180,000 km km | Est. R561k–R770k | Est. R684k–R886k |
| 180,001 – 200,000 km km | Est. R521k–R715k | Est. R635k–R822k |
| 200,000+ km km | Est. R481k–R660k | Est. R587k–R759k |
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 Kia Telluride problems & repair costs
Fuel consumption at highway speeds
V6 AWD model averages 10.2–11.5 L/100 km in mixed driving; premium fuel (95 RON) mandatory increases running cost.
Transmission fluid cooler seal wear
Later ZF 8-speed units show occasional minor seepage at cooler connections after 50k km; not critical but requires monitoring.
Third-row seat bolster padding compression
Extended rear-seat use causes gradual softening of bolsters; cosmetic but comfort impact after 60k km.
Buyer's inspection checklist
🔧Engine & Drivetrain
Full synthetic oil change intervals (Mobil 1 or equivalent, 5W-30) — V6 requires premium grade to prevent sludge buildup
AWD system coupling and transfer case fluid level — Viscous coupling wear increases fuel loss; fluid discoloration indicates internal wear
🚗Body & Exterior
Roof rail attachment bolts and weatherstripping integrity — Long-term water intrusion into headliner common on high-mileage units with poor maintenance
All three sunroofs (front + dual panoramics) function smoothly with no grinding — Electrical switches wear; motor failure repair is costly
💡Interior & Electronics
Infotainment system responsiveness (Apple CarPlay/Android Auto latency) — Software lag and Bluetooth disconnects reported on units >45k km without software updates
All 8 seats track smoothly; no rattle in 3rd-row seat latches — Heavy use of 2nd/3rd rows causes bracket fatigue and loose trim
📋Service History
Original Kia service booklet completed at franchised dealer — Non-franchise work voids remainder of factory warranty
Transmission fluid history and rear differential service records — ZF 8-speed requires fluid change at 60k km to prevent seal wear
Recommended maintenance schedule
highEngine oil and filter change (synthetic 5W-30) — Engine sludge, bearing wear
Every 15,000 km
R850–R1,200
R850–R1,200
highTransmission fluid service (ZF 8AT cooler flush) — Cooler seal failure, slipping
60,000 km
R2,200–R3,100
R2,200–R3,100
mediumBrake fluid flush and rotor inspection — Brake fade, corrosion
30,000 km or 2 years
R1,400–R2,000
R1,400–R2,000
mediumAir filter and cabin air filter replacement — Engine knocking, HVAC mould
30,000 km
R420–R680
R420–R680
Kia Telluride owner reviews
Owners praise spacious 3-row comfort and V6 smoothness; fuel economy and infotainment responsiveness are mild concerns. (78/100 owner approval)
👍
Exceptional interior space and luxury feel
Three-row cabin rivals vehicles costing R200k more; plush materials and quiet ride-through praised by families.
👍
V6 engine smoothness and torque delivery
295 kW output provides effortless acceleration; transmission shifts smoothly without hesitation in daily driving.
👎
Real-world fuel consumption closer to 11–12 L/100 km
EPA claims of 10.2 L/100 km rarely achieved in local urban driving; premium fuel requirement adds R350–R450/month.
👎
Infotainment system lags and Bluetooth instability
Touch-screen responsiveness degrades after 40k km; periodic reconnection of phone devices required; software updates infrequent.
Kia Telluride specifications
| Engine | 3.8L V6 petrol, direct injection |
| Power | 295 kW @ 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 420 N·m @ 4,500–5,400 rpm |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic (ZF) |
| Fuel consumption | 10.2–11.5 L/100 km mixed |
| Fuel tank | 72 litres |
| Boot capacity | 520 L (3 rows up); 2,920 L (seats folded) |
| Kerb weight | 1,965 kg |
| Top speed | 200 km/h |
| 0–100 km/h | 8.2 seconds |
| Service interval | 15,000 km or 12 months |
| Service plan | Kia Care Plus available (3yr/60k km) |
| Warranty | 5yr/100k km (factory); 7yr drivetrain (select dealers) |
| Original price | R1,520,000 (launch 2023 MY) |
Frequently asked questions
A used Kia Telluride typically retails from around R950k depending on year, mileage and condition, with trade-in value around R825k. 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.