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!
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. Snow chains in winter. The roads are waiting.
What kind of trip are you planning?
Winter driving
Snow chains, alpine roads, and cold-weather confidence in a compact 4WD.
Summer road trip
Long days, scenic routes, and freedom to explore at your own pace.
Rooftop camping
Rooftop tent and gear from Christchurch for the full South Island setup.
Simple car hire
Just the Jimny — no tent or camping gear, Christchurch or Queenstown.
Most booked for South Island trips
South Island winter driving, made straightforward
New Zealand winter in a capable compact 4WD — chains included, easy on narrow alpine roads and gravel.
- Snow chains included
- Easy to drive on narrow alpine roads
- Perfect for gravel + backroads
- Compact = less stress in winter conditions
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
☀️ Summer dates are already booking — secure your trip early
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
We had the most fantastic experience with Jimny Rentals. Grace and Adam contacted us before picking up our Jimny with highly detailed information and kept us updated throughout and after the rental. Our Jimny was in perfect condition and was the best way to explore Queenstown and to go on roadtrips with. We would highly recommend renting a Jimny from Grace and Adam for your NZ trip!
Can't recommend highly enough! Picked us up from the airport and dropped us off. They made everything easy. The Jimny is perfect for a couple to explore New Zealand. In its fun to drive and capable to get you anywhere with less worries than driving a car. For example, you have to ford 9 streams to get to Rob Roy Glacier Track, I was very comfortable doing that in a Jimny rather than a Prius. Its small which is a plus for fuel efficiency and on narrow lanes of some of the roads. We drove over 2000 miles during our two weeks in NZ and I'd pick a Jimny from Grace and Adam again when we hopefully come back!
Love the short wheel base Jimny! So much more fun than the rest of the standard hires. Loved zipping through the fords while the other struggled and our lugged fitted perfectly.
Easy company to deal with and loved supporting an owner manged business - you just know they care more!
All I can say is we had a great experience with Jimny NZ. Collection and returning of the car was straight forward and super easy. Adam and Grace were prompt in their replies and helpful! The condition of the car was excellent and we had no problems driving all around south island.
Funny enough we got attached to the car after spending 12 days with it and got sad when it was time to return it. A jimny in Singapore costs $150k!! So getting a taste of it in NZ has been a dream come true!
Nevertheless, if you're travelling as a couple, I'd highly recommend renting out a jimny from Jimny NZ to explore south island!
We used Jimny NZ on our recent trip around the south island. Easy to book, pick up and drop off. Grace and Adam were very responsive on emails. Would highly recommend.
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. Snow chains are included in winter.
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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, with snow chains included in winter.
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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