Compact Car Hire New Zealand

Compact cars are an excellent choice for your New Zealand self-driving holiday. These versatile vehicles are perfect for a fuel-efficient road trip or transporting you around urban areas.

You can choose from acclaimed vehicles like the Toyota Yaris, the Toyota Corolla Hatch, or similar vehicles. Book one of our amazing compact rental cars today and begin planning the trip of your dreams.

Why hire a compact car?

Compact car rentals are a popular choice for many reasons. From solo travellers on epic road trips to urban dwellers looking for an easy way to get around, there's no shortage of uses for a compact car.

Here are some reasons a compact car is the perfect vehicle for your self-driving New Zealand getaway:

Thanks to their small size, many people find compact vehicles easier to drive and manoeuvre when compared to larger models, especially on narrower roads.
Compact vehicles are also unquestionably easier to park than their larger counterparts. If you are spending time in a city, this can be tremendously useful.
The smaller a car is, the less you need to spend on fuel to keep it going. This can make a compact vehicle perfect for a cost-effective road trip.
Less petrol doesn't just mean you get to save some money; it also means a more environmentally friendly trip. This allows you to enjoy New Zealand’s natural beauty, guilt-free.
Our compact cars are also available for more affordable prices than other models. If a smaller car is sufficient for your journey, save some money by opting for a brilliant compact car.

Compact car hire deals

Discover the best deals and relocations for your compact car rental and make the most of your New Zealand adventure for less with GO

From 10% off

Hot Deals

Secure the best deals for your car rental in New Zealand. From discounted bookings across our most popular cars to relocation deals for one-way trips. Discover how you can save with GO.

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15% off

AA Member Discount

AA Members get an exclusive 15% off the daily rate from every GO Rentals car booking.
Book online or call us with your membership number to redeem this offer.

Get the discount

Win up to $500

Snap Happy

Your travel memories matter to us!
Snap a picture of your adventure around New Zealand, and be in to win up to $500 of the cost of your rental back.

GO Snap Happy

Toyota Yaris

5 year(s) old
5 seats
1 large bag
1 small bag

1300 cc engine
Automatic
Unleaded 91
6.3L / 100km

Cruise Control
Touch Screen Audio
USB Port
Air Conditioning

Image of blue MG3 rental car parked outside a building with pink GO Rentals plates

Side image of a silver MG3 rental car on a white background

Rear image of a silver MG3 rental car on a white background

Interior image of an MG3 rental car taken from back seat looking at modern dashboard and entertainment system

Interior image of the back seats of an MG3 rental car

Toyota Corolla Hatch

5 year(s) old
5 seats
1 large bag
2 small bags

2000 cc engine
Automatic
Unleaded 91
6.6L / 100km

5-Star ANCAP Safety Rating
Bluetooth Handsfree Phone
Cruise Control
2000cc Petrol

Front image of a red Toyota Corolla rental car parked up next to a river on a blue sky day

Front image of an electric blue Toyota Corolla hatchback rental car on a white background

Rear image of an electric blue Toyota Corolla hatchback rental car on a white background

Interior front image of a Toyota Corolla rental car showing the dashboard and entertainment system

Interior rear image of a Toyota Corolla rental car showing the back seats

Mitsubishi ASX

0 - 3 year(s) old
5 seats
1 large bag
2 small bags

1998 cc engine
Automatic
Unleaded 91
7.6L / 100km

Keyless entry
5 Star ANCAP Rating
8" Touchscreen Entertainment
Apple Carplay and Android Auto
Bluetooth Audio

Stylised front image of a Toyota CHR parked up down a lane with GO Rentals plates

Front image of a Toyota CHR on a white background

Rear image of a Toyota CHR Kona on a white background

Interior front image of a Toyota CHR rental car showing the dashboard and entertainment system

Interior rear image of a Toyota CHR rental car showing the back sears with one in fold down position

Why GO with us?

FREE basic car rental insurance

Our basic insurance cover is included in the cost of every car hire with two upgraded insurance options available!
One-way car rentals

We can organise one-way rentals with pick-up in one location and drop-off in another. Stick to your dream itinerary without worrying about circling back.
Offset carbon emissions

In partnership with CarbonClick, you can choose to offset the carbon emission of your GO Rentals road trip.
24hr AA roadside assistance

All GO Rentals hire cars have access to the AA 24-hour mechanical breakdown assistance and our Tesla EVs have access to Tesla Roadside Assistance.
GO App

With our GO Rentals App, you can book a car, check in faster and even control your Tesla car functions, right from the palm of your hand.

Learn more

Total Road Care

A comprehensive $3 per day fee ensures your journey is simple and stress-free, we include the following services:

Roadside Assistance

Complimentary callout service for ALL types of breakdowns.
Government Road Taxes

Covers registration costs, safety inspections and road user charges.
Toll Road Freedom

Enjoy free passage on all toll roads, we cover all costs including admin fees.

With Total Road Care, we handle all the essentials so you can focus on the adventure ahead.

Terms and Conditions

Where to GO in your compact car

A compact car is a great choice for driving anywhere in New Zealand. You can have your pick of a broad range of compact vehicles at any 1 of our 9 locations.

Here are 3 locations where a compact car might be the perfect choice for your self-driving holiday.

Waiheke
compact car hire

Waiheke Island's rural charm is its defining characteristic. However, this means it has some narrow roads to drive on, and local transportation schedules aren't especially convenient.

A compact vehicle is ideal for making the trip to locations like Stony Batter Historic Reserve and Te Matuku Grove. Without your own car to drive, heading to these locations is far less convenient.

Explore this wondrous location at your own pace with a rental from our Waiheke Island branch.

Queenstown
compact car hire

Queenstown is a prominent feature on many New Zealand bucket lists. Known as the country's adventure capital, it's the perfect place to get your heart pumping, enjoy a night on the town, or stroll through the countryside.

With a compact car, you can easily take on winding roads to visit locations like Glenorchy, a principal filming location for The Lord of the Rings. Queenstown is also an ideal location to begin a cost-effective road trip in a compact vehicle.

Take a weekend trip to locations like Milford Sound or see the best of the South Island with a Queenstown to Christchurch road trip. Book your Queenstown Airport compact car rental today and begin planning your unforgettable journey.

Nelson
compact car hire

Nelson is one of New Zealand's most underrated locations. It's packed with cultural and historical hubs including Founders Heritage Park and the Suter Art Gallery.

The city is also renowned for being the gateway to the Abel Tasman National Park. You can enjoy stunning rural beauty as you drive towards nearby locations like Marahau and Totaranui. Then, you'll disembark and soak in the park’s beauty via foot, bike or kayak.

You can make your journey to the Abel Tasman National Park affordable and convenient in a reliable compact hire car. Secure your ideal vehicle from our Nelson Airport branch now.

What to know before you rent your compact car

Here are some things to keep in mind before you set out on your self-driving holiday of a lifetime:

Be sure to check that you always put the correct fuel in your vehicle.
If you are an overseas visitor, you need to prepare yourself for driving on the left-hand side of the road. For more information, see our complete guide to left-hand side driving in New Zealand.
While compact cars can offer a surprising amount of packing space, you may still need to use some smart and creative packing techniques to fit everything in.
Always check to make sure you are legally allowed to park in a particular location before you pull in.

Choose an affordable and conveniently sized compact car for your New Zealand getaway today.

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