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!
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!
Super Service, unkompliziert, freundlich keine negativen Punkte
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!
Renting a Jimny for our first trip through the South Island in NZ was the best decision we've ever made! The experience was amazing! The Jimny had everything we needed and it was so easy to open up and pack up. Grace and Adam were super easy and professional to communicate with. 10/10 would recommend! We are coming back and doing a Jimny hire again for sure! Thanks heaps guys!!
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