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.
V6 Petrol Power7-Seat CapacityHigh Fuel CostYoung Warranty
7.2
Solid Family SUV—Fuel Cost Trade-Off
Premium space and warranty appeal offset by petrol consumption and narrow resale market in SA.
Pricing, specs and depreciation below are modelled on a 2024 Kia Telluride 3.8 V6 SX AWD AT — figures will differ for other model years.
Est. Retail
R950k–R1,050k
Est. Trade
R820k–R900k
Annual Sales (SA)
~280
5yr Depreciation
38%
Kia Telluride buyer's guide
The 2024 Kia Telluride 3.8 V6 SX AWD is a three-row full-size SUV designed for families seeking seven-seat capability with genuine V6 power—a rarity in the SA market where most competitors rely on turbocharged four-cylinders or smaller displacements. At 40,000–60,000 km, this is still a young, warranty-backed vehicle with minimal depreciation ahead, making it an attractive alternative to aging Japanese seven-seaters. The naturally aspirated 3.8L petrol engine delivers strong mid-range torque (370 N⋅m) without turbo lag, paired to an eight-speed automatic and genuine all-wheel drive—features that command premium pricing in SA's compact-crossover-dominated market. However, real-world fuel consumption sits around 10–11 L/100 km combined, a significant operational cost for daily use. Parts and service availability through Kia's SA dealer network are solid but not Toyota-level; routine maintenance is reasonably priced, though warranty claims at main dealers can be bureaucratic. Resale strength is moderate—the Telluride's size and V6 appeal to a specific buyer pool (typically affluent families or commercial fleet operators), but depreciation accelerates sharply after year five. For buyers who value space, power, and warranty peace of mind over fuel efficiency and brand prestige, this Telluride makes sense. For cost-conscious buyers or those planning to keep the vehicle beyond five years, the heavier fuel consumption and niche resale market present real headwinds. A thorough pre-purchase inspection is essential, particularly the transmission cooler and air suspension components, which can develop issues under harsh SA driving conditions.
vs Toyota Prado 2.8GD-6 TX (2023–24 equivalent mileage band): The Prado's diesel powertrain and Toyota badge command stronger resale value and lower running costs, but offers only five seats and lacks the Telluride's interior space and V6 smoothness. The Telluride is more car-like and family-friendly; the Prado is more go-anywhere capable.
vs Hyundai Santa Fe 2.2D Elite (2023–24 equivalent mileage band): Both are Hyundai products with seven seats, but the Santa Fe's 2.2-litre diesel is more fuel-efficient and better suits SA's long-distance driving. The Telluride's V6 petrol is thirstier but delivers smoother, quieter on-highway cruising and stronger acceleration.
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
Transmission cooler corrosion in hot climates
The transmission fluid cooler can develop pinhole leaks in high-temperature SA conditions, causing slow transmission fluid loss and eventual transmission damage. Check for any evidence of red fluid residue beneath the vehicle.
Severity: MediumEst. repair: R8,500–R14,000Common at: 60k+ km
Air suspension solenoid wear
The air suspension dampers, fitted to SX AWD models, can develop solenoid faults that prevent proper suspension levelling, particularly after harsh gravel driving. Listen for irregular suspension sounds and check for warning lights on the instrument cluster.
Severity: MediumEst. repair: R6,500–R11,000Common at: 50k+ km
Panoramic sunroof seal degradation
Early-model Tellurides have reported panoramic sunroof seals that allow water ingress into the headliner, particularly after heavy rain or car washing. Inspect the interior headlining for any water staining or mildew odours.
Severity: LowEst. repair: R4,000–R7,500Common at: 40k+ km
Buyer's inspection checklist
🔧Engine & Drivetrain
Verify transmission fluid condition and colour — Red discoloration indicates cooler leakage, which leads to transmission failure.
Test AWD engagement and differential response on a circuit — AWD systems can develop viscous coupler issues after high-mileage off-road use.
🚗Body & Exterior
Inspect lower body for perforation and undercoat damage — SA's salt roads and gravel corrode unprotected undercarriage sections rapidly on large SUVs.
Check all door seals and window rubbers for cracks or shrinkage — Sunroof and door seals are known early failure points; water ingress damages interior.
💡Interior & Electronics
Test all three rows of seating, including middle-row manual controls — Slide mechanisms and recline hinges wear quickly with family use and require dealer service.
Verify infotainment system, climate zones, and steering-wheel heater functionality — Software glitches and button failures are common in early 2024 Tellurides; replacements are expensive.
📋Service History
Request full dealer service records and warranty claim history — Early transmission cooler or suspension solenoid repairs indicate latent batch issues.
Confirm current warranty status and transferability to new owner — Kia's 7-year warranty is a major value proposition; loss of coverage severely impacts ownership cost.
Recommended maintenance schedule
highEngine air filter replacement — Engine efficiency loss and fuel consumption increase
Every 10,000 km or annually R350–R650
highTransmission fluid and filter service — Transmission cooler blockage and fluid degradation
Every 40,000 km R1,200–R2,100
mediumAir suspension inspection and solenoid testing — Uneven suspension and potential air system failure
Every 20,000 km (routine) or if warning light shows R800–R1,500 (inspection); R6,500–R11,000 (solenoid replacement)
mediumCabin air filter and pollen filter replacement — Mould growth, odour, and climate-control inefficiency
Every 10,000 km or annually R450–R850
Kia Telluride owner reviews
Owners praise the Telluride's spacious interior and smooth V6 engine but are consistently frustrated by high fuel consumption and lack of diesel option in SA. (62/100 owner approval)
👍
Spacious and comfortable three-row layout
Families appreciate genuine seven-seat capacity with middle-row recline and ample cargo space for holidays. Rivals like the Santa Fe sacrifice leg room in the third row.
👍
Smooth, quiet V6 power delivery
The naturally aspirated 3.8L engine delivers linear acceleration without turbo lag, making highway cruising effortless and ideal for long family trips.
👎
Uneconomical petrol consumption
Real-world fuel usage of 10–12 L/100 km makes this SUV expensive to run in SA, where diesel rivals offer 6–7 L/100 km. Operating cost per km is notably higher than competitors.
👎
Transmission cooler and air suspension reliability concerns
Multiple reports of cooler leakage and solenoid faults before 60,000 km, particularly in hot climates. Repairs fall outside warranty if caused by rough driving.
Kia Telluride specifications
Engine
3.8L V6 petrol, naturally aspirated
Power
291 kW @ 6,000 rpm
Torque
370 N⋅m @ 4,500 rpm
Transmission
8-speed automatic, AWD
Fuel consumption
10.1 L/100 km (combined, EPA estimate)
Fuel tank
72 litres
Boot capacity
908 L (3 rows up) / 2,896 L (3rd row folded)
Kerb weight
1,892 kg
Top speed
190 km/h
0–100 km/h
8.2 seconds
Service interval
10,000 km or 6 months
Service plan
Kia Care (included on new vehicles)
Warranty
7 years / unlimited km manufacturer warranty (2024 model)
Original price
~R1,280,000 (SX AWD, SA list 2024)
Frequently asked questions
A used Kia Telluride typically retails from around R950k–R1,050k depending on year, mileage and condition, with trade-in value around R820k–R900k. 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.