Comparing second-hand SUVs under R350K

Hippo's quick bites:

• We’re looking at four second-hand SUVs that sit under R350k right now: the Kia Sportage, VW Tiguan Allspace, Toyota Corolla Cross and Haval H6. Each has its sweet spot, and each has their watch-outs too. We unpack those in this article.

• Whatever you decide on, comparing Car Insurance on Hippo.co.za makes sure the running cost matches the bargain.

So you want an SUV, but not a brand-new price tag

Smart move. A two-to-five-year-old SUV gives you most of the space, safety and kit of a new one, without that gut-punch of first-year depreciation that someone else has already absorbed for you.

But “second-hand SUV under R350k” covers a lot of ground, and the cars in that bracket are genuinely different animals. So we leaned on one of our motoring influencers, Juliet McGuire, who recently put four of the most popular options head to head on video.

Here’s how they stack up:

Kia Sportage (2017–2021)

Price: R270k–R350k

The Sportage is the value pick of the bunch, and the widest net you can cast in this price range.

You’ll find both petrol and diesel options, in automatic and manual, so there’s a version to suit almost any driver. The boot is generous, the cabin is spacious and well-equipped, and the whole package feels like more car than the price suggests.

Watch out for: carbon build-up on the direct-injection engines, and a few reports of high oil consumption on the petrol models. Neither is a deal-breaker, but both are reasons to insist on a full service history. Look after a Sportage and it’ll look after you - it’s very reliable when maintained well.

In terms of resale, it remains a popular, sought-after car, so you won’t struggle to move it on later.

Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace (2018–2021)

Price: R330k–R380k

If you actually need seven seats - not the “we’ll squeeze the kids in” kind, but real ones - the Tiguan Allspace is the one to beat.

This is a proper seven-seater that feels premium inside, with a cavernous 760-litre boot and a genuine seventh seat rather than an afterthought. Petrol and diesel are both available, and fuel consumption is excellent for something this size.

Watch out for: make sure the DSG gearbox has been properly serviced, since that’s the single most important box to tick on this car. There are also reports of water pump leaks on some engines, and the occasional electrical gremlin on higher-mileage examples. A well-kept, lower-mileage Allspace with paperwork to prove it is worth paying a little more for.

Note that the top of its range nudges just over R350k, so you may need to hunt for the right example to stay under budget.

Toyota Corolla Cross (2021–2024)

Price: R300k–R370k

The sensible-shoes choice, and there’s nothing wrong with that. This is one of the most popular cars in South Africa for good reason.

It’s cheap to maintain, very reliable, and holds its value beautifully when the time comes to sell. Opt for the hybrid model and you’ll claw back even more at the pumps. The boot is generous, and the whole ownership experience is refreshingly low-drama.

Watch out for:

The CVT gearbox can be noisy and a bit sluggish when you ask for a sudden burst of pace. A small gripe against a very strong all-rounder. If resale value and peace of mind sit at the top of your list, this car is the safe bet.

Haval H6 (2021–2024)

Price: R300k–R350k

The tech-for-your-rand champion. If you want the most kit and the biggest screen for your money, nothing here comes close.

Haval’s parent brand, GWM, has been in South Africa for 19 years now, so this isn’t the unknown quantity some buyers still assume it is. This Chinese car has stood the test of time. The H6 gives you a huge interior, incredible tech and genuine value for money.

Watch out for: a few electronic glitches here and there, and a DCT gearbox that can be jerky at lower speeds. Fuel consumption runs on the high side too, unless you can track down a hybrid.

The catch is resale: it doesn’t hold its value as well as a Toyota, VW or Kia. So the H6 makes most sense if you plan to keep it for a good while and enjoy all that kit, rather than flip it in a couple of years.

Two wildcards worth a look

Not everything has to be the obvious choice. Two more SUVs deserve a spot on your shortlist:

• The Subaru Forester: spacious, dependable, and unassuming. Brilliant for families who spend time off the smooth stuff.

• The Nissan X-Trail: roomy and fuss-free, the kind of car that just gets on with family life without any fuss.

Neither shouts for attention, but both are spacious, easy-to-drive family cars that reward a closer look.

Don’t forget the cost of owning it

When it comes to snagging a second-hand SUV bargain, the sticker price is only the start. Insurance, fuel and maintenance all add up, and they vary more than you’d think between models. Alas, a cheaper car to buy isn’t always the cheaper car to run.

Cover the bits a bargain price doesn't

A lower price tag on a second-hand SUV usually means the original motor plan has run out, or is close to it. That's exactly when an unexpected gearbox or electrical repair (the kind we've flagged throughout this piece) lands on your bill instead of the manufacturer's.

Two products to take a look at before you finalise your purchase:

A DSG, CVT or DCT gearbox rebuild can run into tens of thousands of rand. A Motor Warranty won't stop it happening, but it stops it landing on you all at once. A Service Plan does the same job for the smaller, more frequent costs that add up over a few years of ownership.

Sorting cover for the car itself, alongside your Car Insurance, is what actually keeps a good deal a good deal past the first year.

Hippo’s Car Insurance comparison tool puts quotes from multiple insurers side by side, so you can see what each of these SUVs actually costs to cover before you sign anything. One quote always sounds fine on its own. The differences only show up when you see a few together.

Find the right SUV, insure and it maintain it smartly, and that under-R350k bargain stays a bargain.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, medical or insurance advice. Hippo is a comparison site helping you evaluate quotes from trusted South African insurers. Always review policy details before making changes. Quotes are risk profile dependent and subject to annual review. No fees are charged for using Hippo’s comparison service. HAS (Pty) Ltd and HCS (Pty) Ltd are authorised FSPs. Terms and conditions apply.