What is the Best Type of Car to Rent in New Zealand?

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Small to Medium Car – 2WD

Fuel efficient and reliable, the small to medium car is the most economical choice. A car with 2WD (2-wheel drive) is the same car that you are probably used to back home. Car rental companies use a wide range of models to satisfy every need, from the classic Nissan Maxima to the all-time favourite Toyota Corolla without forgetting the Gertz, Swift and other small to medium car models. Other options include people-movers which are cars that can accommodate up to six people comfortably like the Toyota Estima.

Perfect for: Travelling from city to city, either solo, as a couple or as a group of three or four.
Budget: Cars can go as low as NZ$25 per day in the low season to over NZ$100 per day for higher-end models in the high season.

The Pros of Hiring a Small to Medium Car:

• Less likely to have a driver’s age restriction
• Very economical to rent and insure
• Most fuel-efficient type of vehicle
• Easy to drive.

The Cons of Hiring a Small to Medium Car:

• It can be hard to fit all your luggage into a small car if you are travelling with more than two people.

For car rental companies hiring small to medium cars, check out The Best Car Rental Companies in New Zealand. Plus, check out Booking.com or DiscoverCars.com for cheap car rental deals.

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Large Car – 4WD or SUV

You will also find 4WD (4-wheel drive) and SUVs for rent in New Zealand. It is absolutely not necessary to get a 4WD to enjoy New Zealand. We do not recommend renting a 4WD for a road trip in New Zealand as we fail to see the value for money on this type of vehicle. Almost every spot that international visitors go to can be accessed with a normal car. A few rare instances where you might prefer a 4WD vehicle are accessing ski field roads in the middle of winter (although, there are usually shuttle alternatives available) and accessing remote areas for hunting, fishing and tramping.

Instances where you might find SUVs a better rental car in New Zealand are for travelling on New Zealand’s gravel roads, of which there are many when you go off the main tourist routes. However, be sure to check that your car rental agreement allows you to take your rental vehicle on gravel roads, as many do not. The extra space that SUVs provide for groups and families may also be  a reason to hire.

The type of models available range from the Nissan Pathfinder, Toyota RAV4 or the Hyundai Tucson.

Perfect for: Travelling in style with a group of friends or family, accessing ski fields, and accessing more remote gravel roads, if the rental agreement allows.
Budget: 4WD usually starts around NZ$70 per day in the low season and can be more than NZ$195 per day in the high season.

The Pros of Hiring an SUV or 4WD Car:

• Travel very comfortably
• Alternative if no people-movers are available
• High clearance for New Zealand’s gravel roads
• 4WD vehicles are permitted to go up ski field roads if conditions are bad
• Very safe.

The Cons of Hiring an SUV or 4WD Car:

• Not fuel-efficient
• Expensive to rent and insure
• Not necessary for more tourists in New Zealand.

For car rental companies hiring 4WDs and SUVs, check out The Best Family Car Rentals in New Zealand and The Best Car Rental Companies in New Zealand. Plus, check out Booking.com or DiscoverCars.com for cheap car rental deals.

© Jucy Rentals

Campercar

The ultimate backpacker vehicle is the campercar, a large family car refitted into a tiny yet liveable camping vehicle. It is the best and most economical way to carry all you need for your road trip and set up camp at campsites and holiday parks. The most popular model for this type of vehicle is the Toyota Estima which has been stripped down to only its two front seats and entirely refitted with a bed, small kitchen, power plugs, portable toilet and more.

Perfect for: A camping road trip on a budget for one or two people.
Budget: In the low season, you would be able to find a campercar starting around the NZ$40 per day mark. However, in mid-summer, it is common to find them upward to NZ$120 per day.

The Pros of Hiring a Campercar:

• Save money on accommodation: sleep at campsites or holiday parks
• Easier to drive than a big campervan
• More fuel-efficient than a larger campervan
• Less likely to have a driver’s age restriction
• Be a hippie.

The Cons of Hiring a Campercar:

• Small and confined space
• More expensive than a car
• Only fits two people.

For campervan rental companies hiring campercars, check out The Best Backpacker Campervan Rentals in New Zealand.

© THL

Campervan

Now we are getting to the wild cards. This type of vehicle usually comes self-contained and would be able to sustain you and your friends in the wild for a few days. There is a wide range of campervans for rental in New Zealand. Some are refitted vans like the popular Toyota Hiace that often comes with a top cabin to fit an extra double bed to older models that only have a double bed with a tent extension for the extra passengers.

Get an idea of what a typical New Zealand campervan looks like in this video:

Budget: Campervans come in all shapes, sizes and prices from a low NZ$60 per day in winter to over NZ$250+ per day in the height of summer.
Perfect for: Taking on a New Zealand road trip with 2-3 people.

The Pros of Hiring a Campervan:

• More comfortable than a campercar
• More fuel-efficient than a motorhome
• Can stay unplugged for a few days
• Save money on accommodation: sleep in freedom campsites (if you have a self-contained sticker), campsites or holiday parks.

The Cons of Hiring a Campervan:

• More expensive than cars and campercars
• The water tank needs to be refilled regularly, the batteries recharged, and the waste emptied
• Can still be “cosy” for 2 to 3 adults.

For campervan rental companies, check out The Best Affordable Motorhome & Campervan Rentals in New Zealand and The Best Motorhome & Campervan Rentals in New Zealand.

© THL

Motorhome

Your largest option when planning a road trip in New Zealand is to go for a full motorhome or RV. These are large campervans that often feature a kitchen, shower, toilet and multiple beds. Every rental company buys or builds its own models and rents them for a few years before selling them. You will rarely find motorhomes to rent in New Zealand that are over 10 years old. They are a great option to consider when travelling with a group of close friends that are splitting the bill.

Budget: Motorhome prices usually depend on the age of the vehicle from a low NZ$150 per day in winter for a small one to NZ$450+ per day for a brand new 6-berth one in the height of summer.
Perfect for: Travelling and living comfortably on the road for 3-6 people.

The Pros of Hiring a Motorhome:

• Live very comfortably on the road
• Can stay “off the grid” for an extended period of time
• Can fit a group of up to six people
• Comes with a lot of useful amenities
• Save money on accommodation: sleep in freedom campsites (if you have a self-contained sticker), campsites or holiday parks.

The Cons of Hiring a Motorhome:

• They are the most expensive option to rent and insure
• Can be stressful to drive if you are not used to driving large vehicles
• Cannot access every nook and cranny of the country.

For motorhome rental companies, check out The Best Luxury Campervan & Motorhome Rentals in New Zealand and The Best Motorhome & Campervan Rentals in New Zealand.

© THL

Electric Vehicle (EV)

With models across the spectrum, from small electric cars to electric motorhomes, electric vehicle rentals are becoming more and more popular in New Zealand. What’s more, the infrastructure is in place to keep your vehicle charged throughout New Zealand. When it comes to size and practicality, see the sections above for the benefits of small to medium cars, as well as campervans and motorhomes. The only categories that electric cars are lacking in New Zealand are 4WDs, SUVs and campercars. When it comes to fuel efficiency, EVs obvious come out on top with charging stations costing much less (or are sometimes free) compared to refuelling with petrol or diesel. Electric vehicles are also one of the more sustainable transport options.

Perfect for: Environmentally-conscious travellers or those wanting to save money on fuel.
Budget: In the low season, you would be able to find a small EV car for around NZ$70 or a Tesla at NZ$195 per day. In mid-summer, it is common to find them upward to NZ$150-$215 per day.

The Pros of Hiring an EV:

• Save money on fuel
• Fewer carbon emissions
• Fun to drive.

The Cons of Hiring an EV:

• More expensive upfront cost than hiring a normal vehicle.

Find out more about planning an EV road trip in NZ EV Guide: How to Travel Around New Zealand in an Electric Car.