Expert Advice on Choosing the Right Vehicle
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Browse our preferred rental car range

Choose the right rental car for you

Choosing the right rental car for your New Zealand tour is essential.
You must make sure that the vehicle has enough room for you, your luggage, and the inevitable extra items you will accumulate as you travel. You must make sure you opt for something comfortable, and maybe even something a little nippier than what you have at home - after all this is your vacation! This overview is designed to help you decide on the best New Zealand rental car for your trip.
We select from only the premium rental car fleets when organizing your vacation. These include modern vehicles and are the latest models. Hire includes unlimited kilometers, fully inclusive insurance cover and for some, 24-hour roadside assistance - excess (deductible) varies between vehicles and companies.
The list below suggests,

  • The maximum number of passengers we recommend for each model type - guidelines designed to ensure your comfort while traveling.
  • Luggage capacity based on regular-sized cases so consider the amount of luggage you will have and how much more 'stuff' you are likely to collect as you travel.

Note: the specific vehicle models suggested here may vary from what you actually receive on pick up. Rental car companies regularly change and upgrade their fleets. When a vehicle is booked it is the category (e.g. intermediate auto) that is guaranteed to be supplied, not the specific model.

Car list
Suzuki Swift or similar
Suzuki Swift or similar
Europcar
  • Europcar
  • Compact automatic
  • Air Conditioning and Bluetooth
  • 4 door hatchback
  • Engine: 1.2 litre
  • Automatic transmission
  • Passengers: 4 passengers
  • Luggage space: 2 large bags
  • 3.9 litres per 100km
  • Maximum excess/ liability: NZD$0
Kia Stonic LX T or similar
Kia Stonic LX T or similar
Europcar
  • Europcar
  • Compact SUV
  • Air Conditioning and Bluetooth
  • 4 door SUV
  • Engine: 1.4 litre
  • Automatic transmission
  • Passengers: 5 passengers
  • Luggage space: 3 large bags
  • 7.5 litres per 100km
  • Maximum excess/ liability: NZD$0
Suzuki S-Cross JLX 2WD or similar
Suzuki S-Cross JLX 2WD or similar
Europcar
  • Europcar
  • Intermediate SUV
  • Air Conditioning and Bluetooth
  • 4 Door Hybird SUV
  • Engine: 1.4 litres
  • Automatic transmission
  • Passengers: 5 passengers
  • Luggage space: 3 large bags
  • 5.5 litres per 100km
  • Maximum excess/ liability: $0
Kia Sportage Urban LX 2WD or similar
Kia Sportage Urban LX 2WD or similar
Europcar
  • Europcar
  • Standard 2WD SUV
  • Air Conditioning and Bluetooth
  • 5 door 2WD SUV
  • Engine: 2 litre
  • Automatic transmission
  • Passengers: 5 passengers
  • Luggage space: 4 large bags
  • 9 litres per 100km
  • Maximum excess/ liability: NZD$0
Suzuki Vitara or similar
Suzuki Vitara or similar
Europcar
  • Europcar
  • Intermediate SUV
  • Air Conditioning and Bluetooth
  • 4 door Turbo AWD SUV
  • Engine: 1.4 litre
  • Automatic transmission
  • Passengers: 5 passengers
  • Luggage space: 3 large bags
  • 6.2 litres per 100km
  • Maximum excess/ liability: NZD$0
Mitsubishi Pajero Sport VRX or similar
Mitsubishi Pajero Sport VRX or similar
Europcar
  • Europcar
  • Large Automatic
  • Air Conditioning and Bluetooth
  • 5 door AWD SUV
  • Engine: 2.4 litre
  • Automatic transmission
  • Passengers: 5 passengers
  • Luggage space: 4 large bags
  • 9.7 litres per 100km
  • Maximum excess/ liability: NZD$862.5
Kia Carnival Ex or similar
Kia Carnival Ex or similar
Europcar
  • Europcar
  • Large People Mover
  • Air Conditioning and Bluetooth
  • 4 door people mover
  • Engine: 2.2 litre
  • Automatic transmission
  • Passengers: 8 passengers
  • Luggage space: 4 large bags
  • 6.5 litres per 100km
  • Maximum excess/ liability: NZD$0
Ford Everest Sport or similar
Ford Everest Sport or similar
Europcar
  • Europcar
  • Premium Large 4WD automatic
  • Air Conditioning and Bluetooth
  • 4 door SUV
  • Engine: 3.0 litre
  • Automatic transmission
  • Passengers: 5 + 2 passengers
  • Luggage space: 4 large bags
  • 8.5 litres per 100km
  • Maximum excess/ liability: NZD$632.50
Toyota Corolla Hatch/Sedan or similar
Toyota Corolla Hatch/Sedan or similar
Budget Rent a Car
  • Budget Rent a Car
  • Compact automatic
  • Air Conditioning, Bluetooth, AUX, and USB and reversing camera
  • 5 door hatchback
  • Engine: 2.0 litre
  • Automatic transmission
  • Passengers: 5 passengers
  • Luggage space: 1 large bag, 1 small bag
  • 6 litres per 100km
  • Maximum excess/ liability: NZD$0
Mitsubishi ASX or similar
Mitsubishi ASX or similar
Budget Rent a Car
  • Budget Rent a Car
  • Compact SUV
  • Air Conditioning, Reverse Camera, Bluetooth, AUX, and USB with Android & iOS connectivity
  • 5 door 2WD SUV
  • Engine: 2.0 litre
  • Automatic transmission
  • Passengers: 5 passengers
  • Luggage space: 2 large bags, 1 small bag
  • 7.6 litres per 100km
  • Maximum excess/ liability: NZD$0
HYUNDAI SANTA FE or similar
HYUNDAI SANTA FE or similar
Budget Rent a Car
  • Budget Rent a Car
  • Large Automatic
  • Air Conditioning, Reverse Camera, Bluetooth, AUX, and USB with Android & iOS connectivity
  • 5 door AWD
  • Engine: 3.5 litre
  • Automatic transmission
  • Passengers: 5 passengers
  • Luggage space: 3 large bags, 3 small bags
  • 6.1 litres per 100km
  • Maximum excess/ liability: NZD$0
NISSAN XTRAIL or similar
NISSAN XTRAIL or similar
Budget Rent a Car
  • Budget Rent a Car
  • Intermediate SUV
  • Air Conditioning, Reverse Camera, Bluetooth, AUX, and USB with Android & iOS connectivity, Front Wheel Drive
  • 4 door FWD SUV
  • Engine: 2 litre
  • Automatic transmission
  • Passengers: 5 passengers
  • Luggage space: 2 large bags, 3 small bags
  • 7.5 litres per 100km
  • Maximum excess/ liability: NZD$0
Hyundai iMax or similar (DIESEL)
Hyundai iMax or similar (DIESEL)
Budget Rent a Car
  • Budget Rent a Car
  • Large People Mover
  • Air Conditioning, Reverse Camera, Bluetooth, AUX, and USB with Android & iOS connectivity
  • 5 door van
  • Engine: 2.5 litre
  • Automatic transmission
  • Passengers: 8 passengers
  • Luggage space: 5 large bags, 3 small bags
  • 8.8 litres per 100km
  • Maximum excess/ liability: NZD$0
Toyota Commuter 12 Seater or similar
Toyota Commuter 12 Seater or similar
Europcar
  • Europcar
  • Intermediate Van Class
  • Air Conditioning, CD/MP3 compatible, AM/FM tuner and Bluetooth
  • 4 door mini van
  • Engine: 3.0 litre diesel
  • Automatic transmission
  • Passengers: 12 passengers
  • Luggage space: 4 large bags
  • 8 litres per 100km
  • Maximum excess/ liability: NZ$862.50
Nissan X-Trail ST or similar
Nissan X-Trail ST or similar
Europcar
  • Europcar
  • 5 Door AWD
  • Air Conditioning, Reverse Camera, Bluetooth, AUX, and USB with Android & iOS connectivity
  • 4 door AWD SUV
  • Engine: 2.5 litres
  • Automatic transmission
  • Passengers: 5 passengers
  • Luggage space: 3 large bags
  • 6.1 litres per 100km
  • Maximum excess/ liability: NZ$0
Toyota Prado or similar
Toyota Prado or similar
Budget Rent a Car
  • Budget Rent a Car
  • Premium Large 4WD automatic
  • Air Conditioning, Reverse Camera, Bluetooth, AUX and USB
  • 5 door AWD SUV
  • Engine: 2.8 litre diesel
  • Automatic transmission
  • Passengers: 5 passengers
  • Luggage space: 3 large bags, 3 small bags
  • 8 litres per 100km
  • Maximum excess/ liability: NZD$4887.50
New Zealand Touring Styles

A popular style of touring is to take a preplanned self drive road trip.  After a thorough consultation with you we expertly plan and create your self drive tour around New Zealand. These tours allow you the freedom to explore at leisure with the comfort and security of pre-booked activities and accommodations. Route suggestions, APP guidance plus local support mean your New Zealand vacation is in safe hands. See self drive ideas here

If you prefer to let someone else do the work then an escorted small group tour might be for you. Our sister company at New Zealanbd Coach has a range of hand picked small group itineraries are ideal if you prefer to travel in the company of like minded people. Tours are limited to a certain number of participants which means different accommodation options, exclusive activities and of course a knowledgeable guide ensures you get to see the best of New Zealand. See small group tours here. 

A private guided tour offers true flexibility and the security of a knowledgeable local guiding you all the way. Well planned itineraries ensure you see exactly what you want to see but with your own driver-guide you can adapt to suit the day or your preference. 100% tailor-made to suit you a private tour is a great option when travelling as a small group. All our self drive itineraries can be replanned and priced using a private driver and guide, so if it is what you fancy just contact us to discuss.

All North Island touring ideas - See here to explore the diverse North Island - itinerary suggestions.

All South Island touring ideas - Iconic scenery and landscapes await on this made for touring island. See itinerary suggestions

All Nationwide touring ideas - See the best of New Zealand on these all encompassing touring itinerary ideas