Last updated April 24, 2026
JUCY and Spaceships are two of the most popular budget and mid-range campervan brands in Australia and New Zealand — both known for compact, well-designed vehicles aimed at younger travellers and those who want a fun, no-fuss road trip experience. This article originally compared the JUCY Champ and Spaceships Beta 4-berth specifically. Below is an updated overview of both brands' current offerings.
JUCY
JUCY has been operating since 2001 and is one of the most recognised campervan brands in New Zealand and Australia, with a fleet of around 3,000 vehicles. They're known for their lime green branding and compact, cleverly designed campervans.
JUCY Fleet (New Zealand and Australia)
- JUCY Condo (2 berth): The flagship JUCY model — a compact 2-berth with an elevated sleeping pod above the cab. Sleeps 2 in the back with a fixed bed up top and kitchen below. Very easy to drive and park in cities.
- JUCY Champ (4 berth): The larger option, sleeping up to 4 in two double beds (one permanent rooftop bed, one that folds out inside). Ideal for families or two couples.
- JUCY Coasta (2 berth, campervan): A standard campervan body without the distinctive Condo sleeping pod. More conventional layout.
JUCY operates depots in Auckland, Christchurch, and Queenstown in New Zealand, and in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Cairns, and Hobart in Australia.
Spaceships
Spaceships focuses on the New Zealand market with a small, distinctive fleet. Their vehicles are built around maximising space and sleeping comfort in compact packages. All Spaceships vehicles are 2-berth.
Spaceships Fleet (New Zealand)
- Rocket: The smallest and most affordable option. Basic kit, easy to drive. Best suited to travellers on a tight budget who prioritise mobility and low cost.
- Beta: Spaceships' mid-range workhorse. A well-equipped 2-berth with a permanent rear bed, kitchen with gas hob, fridge, and USB charging. One of the most popular choices for couples doing a NZ road trip.
- Beta 2S: A slightly updated version of the Beta with an automatic transmission option. Useful for travellers not confident driving manual on NZ's hilly roads.
- Dream Sleeper Mini: The premium Spaceships option. Larger interior with more comfort features, better kitchen setup, and more storage. Aimed at couples wanting a more relaxed, comfortable experience.
Spaceships operates in New Zealand only, with depots in Auckland and Christchurch.
JUCY Champ vs Spaceships Beta: Head to Head
| Feature | JUCY Champ | Spaceships Beta |
|---|---|---|
| Berths | 4 | 2 |
| Bed setup | Rooftop double + fold-out double | Permanent rear double |
| Kitchen | Basic — gas hob, sink, fridge | Gas hob, sink, fridge, USB charging |
| Toilet/shower | No | No |
| Driving ease | Compact, easy to park | Very compact, very easy to park |
| Countries | NZ + Australia | New Zealand only |
| Best for | Groups of 3–4, or couples wanting more space | Couples, solo travellers, first-time NZ visitors |
Pricing
Both JUCY and Spaceships use dynamic pricing — rates vary by season, how far in advance you book, trip duration, and depot. As a general guide for New Zealand:
- Budget compact 2-berth (Rocket, Spaceships): From NZ$60–90/day in shoulder season
- Mid-range 2-berth (Beta, JUCY Condo): From NZ$80–120/day in shoulder season
- 4-berth (JUCY Champ): From NZ$100–150/day in shoulder season
- Peak season (Dec–Jan): Add 30–50% to the above figures
Always check directly with JUCY (jucy.com) and Spaceships (spaceshipsrentals.co.nz) for current pricing — both offer early booking discounts and last-minute deals. Comparison sites like Motorhome Republic and Motorhome Bookers also aggregate deals across both brands.
Which to Choose?
Choose JUCY if you're travelling in a group of 3–4, want the option to also rent in Australia, or prefer a more established brand with a larger fleet and more depots.
Choose Spaceships if you're a couple doing a New Zealand-specific trip and want a focused, well-designed 2-berth vehicle. The Beta is genuinely excellent value and consistently well-reviewed for its thoughtful use of space.
