Hertz vs Apex: Which NZ Car Rental Is Right for You?

Over our years in New Zealand we hired plenty of cars, and two names came up again and again: Hertz and Apex. This is our honest comparison of the two, from our own trips, on the three things that matter most: customer service, the vehicles, and price. We have also added the other rental companies worth knowing about in 2026, because the market has more good options now than it used to.

Renting a car in New Zealand is easy, but the choices can throw you. It is not just about grabbing a car and going, there is a balancing act between what every driver wants and the bits that matter more to some than others. We hired Hertz when we flew up to Auckland for a family wedding while we were living in Wellington, and we hired Apex for our South Island road trip. Here is how they stacked up.

In this article

• Customer service
• Vehicle condition
• Price
• Other rental companies worth a look
• Frequently asked questions

Not a sponsored post: nobody paid us for this, and all the views are our own.

Customer service

Customer service matters to us, so we look at how easy the people are to deal with and how smooth the whole process is.

Apex sits outside the main terminal at New Zealand airports, so you ring them on arrival and they shuttle you to their depot for the paperwork. It adds time, more so at big airports in peak hours, though every pick-up and drop-off we had was hassle-free with only a few minutes’ wait. The staff were efficient but businesslike, less of the friendly chit-chat.

Hertz counters are inside the terminal with the cars parked right outside, which is a real timesaver. The staff were consistently friendly and patient with our daft questions. They do tend to upsell fuel and insurance, but a polite “no thank you” was the end of it.

Our scores: Hertz 8/10, Apex 6/10.

Vehicle condition

Apex is not the cheapest or the dearest. It leans towards the budget-conscious traveller who still wants something safe and sensible. The cars had a slightly lived-in feel and were a few years older than Hertz’s, but they were clean, and everything worked.

Hertz vehicles were usually newer, often two years old or less. We were once upgraded to a shiny, fuel-efficient model, but even without that you tend to get a newer car, and the price reflects it.

Our scores: Hertz 8/10, Apex 7/10.

Price

Apex is generally the cheaper of the two, especially in the low season, where its small budget cars can come in well under the Hertz equivalent. On larger, newer vehicles the gap narrows, particularly in the busy summer months. Hertz costs more across the board, but you are paying for a newer fleet.

Rates move a lot with the season, so treat any figure as a guide: a small economy car might run from around NZ$45 to $70 a day off-peak, and noticeably more in the December to March peak. Three things save real money: book early, start and finish in the same city to dodge one-way fees, and reduce your insurance excess to zero. By law every rental includes basic cover, but the standard excess can be several thousand dollars, so that reduction is usually worth it.

Our scores: Apex 9/10, Hertz 7/10.

Other rental companies worth a look

Hertz and Apex are not the only game in town, and a few others are well worth comparing in 2026:

• Ezi Car Rental often comes out cheapest, operates from the main airports, and has a mixed fleet including EVs.
• GO Rentals is a locally owned favourite known for smooth, tailored service.
• Snap Rentals is popular and easy to use, and a good bet for younger drivers.

So, which did we prefer?

We leaned towards Hertz overall. The service was easier, the pick-ups smoother and the cars newer, and on larger vehicles the price gap was small enough that we happily paid a bit more for the comfort. On our totals, Hertz came out at 23/30 and Apex at 22/30, so it was close. If your priority is spending less on the car and more on the trip, Apex is the smarter pick.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to rent a car in New Zealand?

It varies a lot with the season and vehicle. A small economy car might be around NZ$45 to $70 a day off-peak, rising sharply over the December to March summer. Book early for the best rates.

What age do you need to be to rent a car in New Zealand?

You must be at least 18 to hire a car legally, but most companies require drivers to be 21 or even 25, and younger drivers often pay a surcharge.

Do you need insurance to rent a car in New Zealand?

Basic cover is included by law, but the excess can be several thousand dollars. It is usually worth paying to reduce the excess to zero so a knock does not cost you a fortune.

Is Hertz or Apex cheaper?

Apex is generally cheaper, especially in the low season. Hertz has a newer fleet and costs more, though the gap narrows on larger vehicles in peak season.

Booking a trip? You can book a hire car through our recommended provider, and for the drive itself see our 10-day North Island and 30-day itineraries.