Fuel-Efficient Hybrid Car Rental in New Zealand

Often hailed as the "best of both worlds", hybrid cars offer the environmental benefits of electric vehicles and the convenience of their petrol-powered cousins.

Built for a more affordable and greener New Zealand road trip, hybrid car rentals are fuel-efficient and have lower carbon emissions.

How our Hybrid Cars work

  • No plug-in

    Simply fill up with petrol. Our hybrid cars are non-plug-in and hassle-free, so you can easily fuel and get GOing!

  • Recharge as you drive

    Our hybrid cars are self-charging. Both the engine and regenerative braking will recharge the battery on the GO.

  • Electric power boost

    The electric motor assists the engine in powering the wheels, so you get extra juice on the road from greener technology.

  • Save on fuel

    On average, a hybrid car requires fewer litres of fuel to travel 100km compared to a petrol car. GO further for less!

Our mild hybrid vehicles are powered by an electric battery and an internal combustion engine (ICE). You do not need to plug in your hybrid car rental at a charging station, you simply fill it with petrol for ease and flexibility on your road trip.

The electric battery is powered by regenerative braking, so you don't have to worry about charging station costs. The electric battery reduces the load on the engine so you can reap the benefits of fuel efficiency without compromising on power.

A modern and sleek fleet is our priority to ensure you have a stress-free car rental experience. Our hybrid fleet may be subject to change, but it can cover SUVs, AWDs and 4x4s, so you can find the perfect hybrid car for your New Zealand adventure.

White Toyota hybrid SUV driving along a scenic road with green hills and purple flowers

Why should you hire a hybrid car?

Here are some of the top reasons to consider hiring a hybrid car for your self-driving New Zealand holiday:

  • Reduced carbon emissions - keep New Zealand green!

  • Quieter engine - it's downright zen!

  • Lower fuel consumption on average - save on petrol!

  • Convenient driving modes - switch between electric, engine or both!

Prefer to go fully electric? Browse our range of electric vehicles here.

Hybrid Fuel Consumption

Hybrid cars are generally more fuel-efficient than standard petrol cars as the electric battery reduces the load on the engine.

At a simple level, fuel efficiency (or fuel economy) is calculated as the distance you can travel for a certain amount of fuel but is subject to the car manufacturer's controlled testing conditions. Fuel economy is an estimate, and factors such as vehicle usage, driving conditions and brake use can affect the calculation in the real world. As a general rule of thumb, cars with a fuel economy of less than 6L/100km are considered efficient.

The lower the L/100km, the less fuel you will need to travel 100km. We have compared the fuel cost estimates for a 2.5L engine RAV4 Hybrid vs a 2016 RAV4 petrol engine car, using the manufacturers' fuel economy rating. Assuming you are travelling 1,550 km from Auckland to Queenstown and the price of fuel per litre is $2.70, we can estimate the fuel costs of the road trip in each car.

2024 RAV4 Hybrid 2016 RAV4 Petrol
Engine 2.5L 2.5L
C02 Emissions 121g 220g
Fuel Economy 5.3L/100km 9.5L/100km
Road trip km 1,550 1,550
Average fuel costs per litre (NZD) $2.70 $2.70
Litres required 82.15 147.25
Price for the road trip $221.81 $397.6

*Calculation: road trip km / 100 x L x fuel cost per litre 1,550/100=15.5x5.3=82.15*2.7=$221.81

https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-advice/fuel-efficiency-explained-29488

*Note that this calculation is estimated based on the manufacturer's testing conditions. These exact conditions cannot be guaranteed for your road trip, and the fuel consumption may be different.

Suzuki Swift Hybrid or similar

  • 1 year(s) old
  • 5 seats
  • 1 large bag
  • 1 small bag
  • 1200 cc engine
  • Automatic
  • Petrol Hybrid
  • 4.7L / 100km
  • Wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™
  • Bluetooth
  • Touchscreen Infotainment
  • Fuel efficiency: from 4.1L/100km (down from 4.8L/100km for petrol)
  • C02 emission rating: from 94g/100km
  • Review the source

Toyota Yaris Cross

  • 1 year(s) old
  • 5 seats
  • 1 large bag
  • 2 small bags
  • 1490 cc engine
  • Automatic
  • Petrol Hybrid
  • 4.2L / 100km
  • Petrol Hybrid
  • Reverse Camera
  • 5 Star ANCAP Rating
  • Road Sign Assist
  • Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
  • Fuel efficiency: from 3.6L/100km (down from 6L/100km for petrol)
  • C02 emission rating: from 84g/100km
  • Review the source
Exterior side image of a Toyota Camry Hybrid parked up with a view looking down over a turquoise lake with a man taking pictures
Side image of a blue Toyota Camry Hybrid on a white background
Rear image of a blue Toyota Camry Hybrid on a white background
Interior front  image of a Toyota Camry Hybrid rental car showing the dashboard and entertainment system
Interior rear image of a Toyota Camry Hybrid rental car showing the backseats with one seat in fold down position

Toyota Corolla Cross

  • 1 year(s) old
  • 5 seats
  • 3 large bags
  • 5 small bags
  • 2000 cc engine
  • Automatic
  • Petrol Hybrid
  • 4.8L / 100km
  • Petrol Hybrid
  • Reverse Camera
  • 5 Star ANCAP Rating
  • Road Sign Assist
  • Apple CarPlay & Android Auto
  • Fuel efficiency: from 4.1L/100km (down from 6.7L/100km)
  • C02 emission rating: from 96g/100km
  • Review the source

Toyota Rav4 AWD

  • 1 year(s) old
  • 5 seats
  • 3 large bags
  • 4 small bags
  • 2500 cc engine
  • Automatic
  • Petrol Hybrid
  • 5.3L / 100km
  • All Wheel Drive
  • Reversing Camera
  • 5-star ANCAP Safety Rating
  • Cruise Control
  • Parking Sensors
  • Fuel efficiency: from 5.3L/100km (down from 9.5L/100km for petrol)
  • C02 emission rating: from 121g/100km
  • Review the source

Toyota Highlander 4x4 Hybrid

  • 1 year(s) old
  • 5 seats
  • 4 large bags
  • 6 small bags
  • 2500 cc engine
  • Automatic
  • Petrol Hybrid
  • 6.2L / 100km
  • 7 Seater Configuration (optional)
  • 5-Star ANCAP Safety Rating
  • 8" Colour Touchscreen
  • Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
  • Apple CarPlay & Android Auto
  • Fuel efficiency: from 6.2L/100km (down from 11.8L/100km for petrol)
  • C02 emission rating: from 142g/100km
  • Review the source

Toyota Landcruiser Hybrid

  • New model
  • 5 seats
  • 3 large bags
  • 4 small bags
  • 2800 cc engine
  • Automatic
  • Diesel
  • 8.7L / 100km
  • 7 Seater Configuration (optional)
  • 12.3" Colour Touchscreen
  • Bluetooth
  • Wireless Charging
  • Wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™
  • Fuel efficiency: from 8.7L/100km (down from 9.1L/100km for diesel)
  • C02 emission rating: from 230g/100km
  • Review the source
Front image of a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado Hybrid 4x4 with trees and a mountain in the background
Front image of a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado Hybrid 4x4 rental car on a white background
Interior image of the front of a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado Hybrid 4x4 rental car showing the dashboard and entertainment system
Side image of a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado Hybrid 4x4 parked on a grassy mountainside with a view of a lake in the distance
Front image of a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado Hybrid 4x4 parked on a grassy mountainside with a view of a lake in the distance

What our customers have to say

Hybrid car rental for families

A larger hybrid vehicle is the perfect choice for your family road trip. Travelling green and reducing fuel consumption doesn't mean skimping on space.

Your children are going to be most affected by environmental changes to the planet. Do your part to preserve the environment for your children as you create memories with them.

To ensure safe and happy travels for your family, we also offer car seat hire at all of our branches.

Hybrid car rental for families

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.

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.

Ride with peace of mind

At GO Rentals, we want to make sure your trip is as stress-free as possible. That's why we offer 24-hour roadside assistance to get you back up and running as soon as possible.

All GO Rentals hires come with GO Basic insurance cover. For higher levels of coverage, we also offer GO Assured and GO Peace of Mind cover.

With GO, it's easy to find the right insurance for your needs and price point. For more information, check out our complete guide to car rental insurance in New Zealand.

Where to GO in your hybrid car

Hybrid cars are perfect for driving anywhere in New Zealand. We have 9 locations to choose from.

Just about anywhere you plan to go, we can handle all your hybrid vehicle needs. Here are 3 locations where you might find a hybrid vehicle especially useful.

  • Aucklandhybrid car rental

    Auckland is one of the best places to use a hybrid vehicle in the entire country. Use your electric motor to get around Auckland while saving your petrol engine for rural day trips.

    While we all love the natural delights of New Zealand, don't forget the urban highlights of Auckland. Sky Tower is an iconic landmark, while Auckland Zoo and Auckland Art Gallery keep tourists entertained year after year.

    With 2 branches at Auckland Airport and City, plus the nearby Waiheke Island, grabbing a GO Rentals hybrid vehicle to explore New Zealand’s largest city couldn’t be easier. Choose your ride and begin your eco-friendly journey now.

  • Christchurchhybrid car rental

    There’s no better way to experience Christchurch than in a GO Rentals hybrid hire car. The South Island's largest city has a range of jaw-dropping attractions to please the fussiest traveller, including gondola rides, the International Antarctic Centre and the Canterbury Museum.

    The wider Canterbury region is one of the most beautiful in the world. Keep it green with a hybrid vehicle. Book your hybrid vehicle today and start planning your Christchurch adventure.

  • Queenstownhybrid car rental

    GO Rentals is the perfect choice for your Queenstown hybrid car rental with several outstanding models available. It’s easy to pick up a vehicle and get on the road from our Queenstown branch.

    Driving to nearby areas like Wanaka or Glenorchy is even more pleasurable with a quiet electric motor. Our larger hybrid vehicles are perfect for fitting all the equipment you need for outdoor activities.

    Choose one of our exceptional hybrid vehicles and travel Queenstown without compromise.

What to know before you rent your hybrid car

With some minor preparation, an overseas self-driving holiday is easy. Here are a few tips for driving a hybrid vehicle in New Zealand:

  • Familiarise yourself with the functionality of a hybrid vehicle before you set out, such as switching between petrol-powered and electric-powered driving.
  • All GO Rentals hybrid vehicles are non-plug-in. If you are running low on electric power, make sure your petrol tank is stocked up.
  • Be sure to check that you put the correct fuel in your vehicle.
  • Visiting from overseas? Prepare yourself for driving on the left-hand side of the road. For more information, see our complete left-hand driving in New Zealand.
  • If you're visiting in winter, special preparation is required. In particular, you'll need to be ready to use snow chains. See our guide to winter driving for more information.

A hybrid vehicle is the perfect way to explore New Zealand. Choose the ideal rental car for you today and begin planning your unforgettable journey.