Hired 2 door Jimny (N04) with rooftop tent + equipment for a two week South Island adventure in 2025. Fantastic little car and no dramas getting around and so easy to park! Did the full loop from CHCH to Lake Pukaki, Dunedin, Milford Sounds, Wanaka, Nelson, Kaikoura, and then back to CHCH. Tent, equipment, and Jimny all functional and clean. Adam and Grace were wonderful to interact with.
New Zealand's South Island. A Jimny. No itinerary required.
New Zealand's South Island. A Jimny. No itinerary required.
Hire one of the most capable compact 4WDs in the world — from Christchurch or Queenstown. Optional rooftop tent. Optional snow chains $50 per booking (select when booking). The roads are waiting.
How it works
1
Choose your Jimny
Pick the setup that suits your trip — standard hire, or add the rooftop tent and camping gear.
2
Book online in minutes
No payment now. Reserve your dates, get instant confirmation, and receive your lockbox code before you travel.
3
Collect and go
Pick up your Jimny anytime using the lockbox — no waiting around, no paperwork. Return the same way.
What kind of trip are you planning?
Winter driving
Snow chains available. Alpine roads, ski fields, and cold-weather confidence.
Summer road trip
Long days, scenic routes, and the freedom to explore at your own pace.
Rooftop camping
Rooftop tent and full camping gear from Christchurch. Sleep anywhere.
Simple car hire
Just the Jimny — no camping gear. Pick up in Christchurch or Queenstown.
Most booked for South Island trips
South Island winter driving, made straightforward
Powder roads, alpine silence, ski fields without the stress. The Jimny is compact, capable, and right at home on narrow mountain roads and unsealed tracks.
- Snow chains available ($50 per booking — add when you book)
- Easy to drive on narrow alpine roads
- Perfect for gravel and backroads
- Queenstown pickup available — ideal for ski trips
Plan your summer road trip now
Explore New Zealand properly — with a rooftop tent, full camping setup, and the freedom to stop anywhere.
- Rooftop tent + cooking gear available
- Travel at your own pace
- Ideal for South Island road trips
- No need for campsites every night
December and January typically fill by September — if you have dates in mind, check now.
Why a Jimny?
Not your standard rental — this is how you explore New Zealand properly.
Compact
Easy to park, easy to drive, perfect for small towns and tight alpine roads
Capable
Built for gravel roads, scenic routes, and getting off the main highway
Adventure-ready
Optional rooftop tent setups for the full road trip experience
A better way to road trip than a campervan
- Easier to drive (especially on narrow roads)
- Access more places
- Lower fuel costs
- More flexible travel
Simple, transparent pricing
From $90/day
- No hidden fees
- Cancel 5+ days before pickup
- Everything you need for your trip
Includes standard insurance with optional excess reduction — see your cover options.
Check availabilityWhat our customers say
Rated 5.0 on Google
Loved having the Jimny driving round NZ! It was super easy to book, they were really responsive to questions, pick up and drop off were easy and no issues at all. We'd been burned by a rental car when in Iceland by the 'or similar' when we really wanted to drive a Jimny so it was great to know we were definitely getting one through this company!
I rented a Suzuki Jimny during my trip to New Zealand and absolutely loved it! The car was fantastic, fun to drive, reliable, and perfect for exploring the South Island . The booking process was smooth and straightforward, and Adam and Grace were professional, friendly, and easy to deal with. I'd highly recommend them to anyone visiting New Zealand. An all-around great experience!
All I can say is we had a great experience with Jimny NZ. Adam and Grace were prompt in their replies and helpful. The condition of the car was excellent. A Jimny in Singapore costs $150k — so getting a taste of it in NZ has been a dream come true. If you're travelling as a couple, I'd highly recommend renting from Jimny NZ to explore the South Island!
The Jimny is a great little 4x4. I hired the four door Jimny for a kayaking trip for two weeks and it was a great shuttle vehicle. I could load four or five kayaks on the roof rack for the put in. A great choice!!
Renting a Jimny for our trip to South Island (Queenstown) was the best decision. I highly recommend Jimny NZ, all the processes were very smooth, communication with Grace and Adam was perfect too. The car was in great condition! I would definitely rent a Jimny again with them.
A family business, passionate about Jimnys
We're Adam and Grace, based in Christchurch. We started Jimny Rentals because we love these cars and love New Zealand. Every Jimny in our fleet is one we'd drive ourselves — and we're always just a WhatsApp away.
Frequently asked questions
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Can you sleep in the Jimny?
Yes, with the Adventure Package rooftop tent.
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Am I covered if something goes wrong?
Yes. All rentals include standard insurance. You can also add excess reduction for greater peace of mind — see cover options.
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Where can I pick up the vehicle?
Christchurch or Queenstown.
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Can I drive gravel roads?
Yes. Gravel roads are welcome. Off-roading is not allowed.
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Is bedding included?
Sleeping bags and pillows are optional extras.
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Do Jimnys work in winter?
Yes. Optional snow chains are available for $50 per booking — add them in the booking process when you reserve.
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Are Jimnys good for South Island winter trips?
Yes. They are compact, practical and well suited to winter travel — easy to drive on alpine roads and in small towns. Add snow chains for $50 per booking when you book if you want them for alpine or winter routes.
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What is the minimum hire period?
3 days.
The South Island is waiting — secure your Jimny now
Whether you’re travelling this winter or planning for summer, vehicles are limited — check availability now to secure your dates.
Check availability