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No matter what your trip involves, Nissan suits many kinds of travel. Noted for its reliability and cutting edge features, the Nissan fleet is the most ideal match for New Zealand’s mix of city streets, motorways, plus winding hill roads. Japanese engineering sits under the panels, and the brand holds an even place among the ten largest automakers worldwide. Business visitors and holidaymakers alike pick Nissan, and we will get into the details of why in this blog post.
This guide sets out to list the most popular Nissan models to rent in New Zealand, typical pricing, and practical tips to help you find the best deal for your itinerary.
The Nissan fleet can handle a variety of terrains, making it an ideal choice to take on New Zealand’s mix of high-speed highways, scenic coastal roads, alpine passes, and rural stretches. Some of the other major advantages that make choosing this particular brand a popular choice are mentioned below:
Making it most convenient to travel farther for less, Nissan delivers a cost-effective experience. Most renters have observed lesser fuel consumption, especially for long NZ routes like Auckland to Rotorua, Wellington to Napier, or Queenstown to Milford Sound. Comparing the stats from the government website www.rightcar.co.nz, a 2014 Nissan Note petrol achieves 3.2l/100km while a 2014 Toyota Prius petrol does 4.2l/100km.
Nissan vehicle models are equipped with key driver safety features such as automatic emergency braking, high beam assist, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert, providing reliable performance when driving in unfamiliar terrain. The recent generation of Nissan models, like X-Trail, Pathfinder, and Qashqai, have achieved 5-Star ANCAP Safety Ratings (which is the standard for NZ/Aus), making it rightly branded as ‘Nissan Intelligent Mobility’.
The modern interiors of Nissan models, featuring zero-gravity seats, smartphone integration, infotainment screens, and USB ports, are ideal for practicality and comfort. Especially great for handling New Zealand’s changeable weather conditions, in particular when travelling with family, the combined features of Nissan models like X-Trail and Pathfinder are great for both city driving and exploring locations that are not easily accessible.
Venturing out to explore metropolitan hubs like Auckland/Wellington/Christchurch, or heading out to adventurous spots like Wānaka, Taupō, or Queenstown, Nissan’s vehicle lineup in New Zealand can be tailored to diverse trip types. From sleek sedans, crossovers & SUVs, pick-ups, to EVs, Nissan’s versatile vehicle fleet has something for every traveler.
Here is a list of key advantages of choosing a Nissan, along with a few drawbacks to consider for your NZ trip.
| ✅ Pros | ⛔ Cons |
|---|---|
|
✔️ Easy to park and manoeuvre in urban hubs ✔️ Accessible at most NZ airports and city branches ✔️ Plenty of luggage/passenger space (mainly in SUVs) ✔️ Equipped with reliable safety features ✔️ Most competitive pricing in the market |
❌ EV road trips need prior planning for charging ❌ Not suitable for extreme off-roading |
Choosing the right Nissan rental in New Zealand depends less on brand value and more on what your trip entails. Road conditions can vary based on your destination, so matching the vehicle to your itinerary matters.
Below is a quick comparison of commonly rented Nissan models in NZ, along with quick recommendations for each to help you decide faster.
Nissan Tiida is best suited for solo travellers and couples planning short trips within city limits. Among the most affordable Nissan rentals in New Zealand the daily rates for this particular model are also economical, making them a highly budget friendly option.
Ideal for couples as well as corporate renters choosing Sylphy is great for long distance highway drives. Extending better reliability than compact hatchbacks, Nissan Sylphy also performs exceptionally well for long journeys such as Christchurch to Tekapo or Hamilton to Taupō.
Fitted for group travel, adventure seekers planning 4×4 excursions, city & rural driving, Qashqai is among popular Nissan SUVs in NZ rental fleets. Thanks to its higher driving position, travellers often enjoy better visibility on winding roads. On top of that, this model comes with great traction on both sealed highways and light gravel roads.
Making itself an ideal option for group travel, South Island adventures, ski trips, Pathfinder offers both truck and sports utility vehicle appeal. With seating for up to seven and ample luggage space, Nissan Pathfinder is ideal for longer itineraries or trips involving group focused adventure activities. It’s commonly booked for alpine routes around Queenstown, Wānaka, and Mt Cook.
Leading family friendly affordable EV, Nissan Leaf is most suited for eco-conscious travellers planning city itineraries which include short-to-mid-range travel. The Leaf is easy to drive and inexpensive to run, making it the optimal choice if your trip is focused on major cities or well-connected regions with reliable EV charging.
| Travel Style / NZ Destination Type | Best Nissan Model(s) |
|---|---|
| City travel (Auckland, Wellington) | Tiida / Leaf |
| Coastal scenic drives/road trips | Sylphy / Qashqai |
| Best for high-volume cargo delivery | Urvan (Caravan) |
| South Island adventure routes | Qashqai / Pathfinder |
| Ski trips or alpine travel | Pathfinder |
| Ideal for multi-region road trips | X-Trail |
Quick Selection Tips:
The top car hire companies serving New Zealand have branches in all major cities and airports. Offering the most budget-friendly deals for Nissan rentals, these suppliers have widely available offices across Aotearoa, meaning you are sure to find plenty of options to rent a Nissan that fits your travel needs and budget. You won’t have to worry about rearranging your itinerary; you can simply collect the vehicle from your preferred location as per availability.
Rent a Nissan across popular locations including Auckland Airport, Downtown, Māngere, and Albany.
If visiting Garden City NZ, hire a Nissan at convenient train station and Christchurch Airport locations.
Plan ahead and reserve a Nissan Rental in advance for Ferry Terminal, Wellington Airport, or Downtown in NZ’s capital.
Hire a Nissan from Queenstown Airport or any other regional branch locations, including Frankton or Downtown.
Nissan can be the ideal affordable and dependable vehicle for your next NZ trip. While seasonality, pick-up location, vehicle model, duration, car insurance options, and driver age can affect the pricing, this particular brand is generally cheaper to rent than many Toyota, Mazda, and Hyundai equivalents.
| Nissan Model | Common Rental Companies | Pick-Up Locations | Avg Price (NZD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qashqai | EZU Car Rental, Hao Rentals, Europcar, Apex | AKL, CHC, WLG, ZQN | $70 – $140 / day |
| X-Trail | EZU Car Rental, AutoUnion, Rental Cars 247, GoldStar Car Rentals | Auckland, Queenstown, Christchurch, Tauranga | $85 – $150 / day |
| Pathfinder | RaD Car Hire, Ezi Car Rental, Yes Rentals | Auckland, Christchurch, Queenstown | $120 – $240 / day |
| Urvan (Caravan) | Mode Rentals, Hertz, Avis, RaD Car Hire | Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, New Plymouth | $110 – $220 / day |
| Teana | Bargain Rental Cars, EZU Car Rental | Airport & city locations nationwide | $65 – $140 / day |
| Tiida | Mint Rentals, Go Rentals, Avis | New Plymouth, Invercargill, Gisborne, Taupo, Whangarei | $30 – $80 / day |
Rental prices in NZ fluctuate significantly by season, location (airport vs city), vehicle model, supplier, and insurance. Compare live Nissan Rental Deals across NZ through our website.
Peak (Dec–Feb, July–Aug): highest prices
Mid-season (Mar–May, Sep–Oct): best availability
Off-peak (Jun, late Oct–Nov): lowest prices and largest fleet selection
Whether renting a car for a short work trip or an extended stay, the best way to secure a cheaper deal is to book well in advance. Don’t wait until the last moment to make a reservation; try to hire your ideal vehicle at least a couple months prior to your plans.
One of the key advantages of hiring a monthly/long term car rental is that they tend to be cheaper than short-term rentals. The daily car hire prices tend to be lower for extended rentals.
The best way to secure the best and cheaper rental car is to keep on comparing the deals until you find the one that ticks the right boxes. Considering that prices can vary based on multiple factors, it is necessary to make thorough comparisons among the available deals.
Choose your pickup location strategically to save more by selecting an off-airport location. Airport car rental locations often incur premium rates due to high demand and additional fees, making downtown and other city pickup locations a more cost effective option.
Owing to their affordability, fuel efficiency, reliability, and cutting-edge features, Nissan’s diverse rental fleet is the perfect match to experience New Zealand’s abundant self drive destinations. Nissan has consistently ranked in the top spots for reliability in Consumer NZ’s 2019 report, earning top marks for performance and excellent value.
Yes, Nissan models like X-Trail and Pathfinder are all rounder for handling NZ’s winter and alpine roads. Choosing the right spec (ideally AWD/4WD), tyres and carrying snow chains are strongly recommended for black ice and sudden weather changes.
For renting a Nissan SUV, the X-Trail is a top choice, providing generous space for long trips without the excessive fuel cost of larger 4WD. Pathfinder and Qashqai are close second with excellent 4×4 capabilities, best suited for adventure trips.
Car hire companies in New Zealand do offer the popular Nissan Leaf electric vehicle model. This is a particularly more practical choice for travelers who prefer sustainability. All major cities have robust charging networks, making Nissan EV rental option a convenient.
Nissan cars are an excellent choice for long drives across New Zealand’s highways and scenic routes.Models like the X-Trail and Pathfinder are best for driving on highways, backcountry roads, and mountainous regions.