SUV Rental
Mid-size automatic SUVs with the ground clearance and capacity to tackle every kind of New Zealand road trip.
A mid-size SUV is the most popular rental class for visitors to New Zealand — and for good reason. You get the higher driving position, more luggage space, and the extra confidence on gravel and alpine roads, without the fuel bill of a full 4WD. Our SUVs are typically the Mitsubishi Outlander or similar — 5-seater, automatic, with AWD on most models.
Many New Zealand trips use winding highways and formed public gravel roads. An SUV offers a higher driving position and extra luggage space, but it does not permit off-road use. Beaches, riverbeds, flooded roads, unformed tracks and roads prohibited in the Rental Agreement remain off limits.
Our 5-seater SUVs comfortably fit a family of 4 plus luggage for a 2-week road trip. We also rent baby and booster seats for $5/day. For groups of 5+, see our 7-seater rental.
Standard insurance, unlimited kilometres, unlimited approved drivers, normal New Zealand toll road charges, normal cleaning, GST and mechanical roadside assistance are included. Premium, optional equipment and driver-caused call-outs are separate charges where applicable.
SUV pickup is from our Auckland depot at 19 Tironui Road or Christchurch depot at 305 Marshs Road. We provide free transport from each airport to its nearby depot, around 15–20 minutes away depending on traffic.
Most SUV hires start in Christchurch, because that's where the classic South Island loop begins: Tekapo, Mt Cook, Wanaka, Queenstown, Milford, then back through Arthur's Pass. Free transport connects Christchurch Airport with our depot at 305 Marshs Road, Hornby South, around 15–20 minutes away depending on traffic.
From Auckland an SUV opens up Coromandel's gravel beach access, permitted formed public access roads in Northland (driving on sand dunes and beaches is prohibited) and the volcanic backroads around Taupo and Tongariro. Free transport connects Auckland Airport with our depot at 19 Tironui Road, around 15–20 minutes away depending on traffic.
Our SUVs use roughly 8–10 L/100km depending on how loaded and how hilly. Use the road trip cost calculator to model fuel, ferry and one-way fees for your exact route before you book.
Our Fleet
Live pricing and availability — only a 20% deposit to book.
Nomado mid-size SUV rentals start from $49/day, fully inclusive of insurance, unlimited kilometres and unlimited additional drivers.
Our mid-size SUVs are typically the Mitsubishi Outlander or similar — automatic, 5-seater with generous boot space, AWD where available.
Yes. The extra clearance, AWD on some models, and the ability to fit snow chains in winter make SUVs the safest choice for alpine passes like the Lindis, Crown Range and Arthur's.
Formed public gravel roads are permitted unless listed as prohibited in the Rental Agreement. Beaches, riverbeds, flooded roads, unformed tracks, Skippers Canyon, Ball Hut Road, Ninety Mile Beach, Te Paki Stream and other listed roads are prohibited.
Yes. SUV hire is available from our depot at 305 Marshs Road, Hornby South, with free transport from Christchurch Airport. The depot is around 15–20 minutes from the airport depending on traffic.
For ski access roads like Mt Hutt, Coronet Peak and the Remarkables an SUV with chains is the sensible choice. Snow chains are available to hire on request; please arrange them before pickup.