Kiwi Autohomes Review

Editors Review

Last Updated: 9/20/19

With more than twenty years of experience in the travel and tourism industry, Kiwi Autohomes could be one of the companies you can trust when you’re looking for campervan hire in NZ with extensive rental expertise above all.

About Kiwi Autohomes

Kiwi Autohomes is a family-owned business and it shows. Get in touch with Kiwi Autohomes about a hiring a campervan and one of their staff will get back to you fast, friendly, and ready to answer all of your questions. If you’re worried about operating a campervan on the road, don’t be. Kiwi Autohomes will walk you through all of the features and equipment it has and how it all works when you pick up your vehicle. They’ll treat you like one of their own, and that's something that gives a plus points on their reputation. Though you'll save a great deal of money from them because of free one way and extra driver fees, the inclusion of linen, bedding, campground guides and road maps—the daily rates and insurance charges are quite pricey. Even if Kiwi Autohomes only has one depot, this does not mean that you are limited to travel within the area only. Freedom camping is popular in the country, hence it's best to know everything about freedom camping rules before you hit the road. 

Fleet

All of the campervans for hire at Kiwi Autohomes are quality vehicles. They’ve got a decent selection to choose from, too. With a fleet of 2, 4 and 6 berth units, the company can cater almost all target markets—couples, starting families and bigger groups.  All campervans feature a spacious interior layout with some user-friendly facilities and lots of storage spaces. You don’t have to worry about getting stranded out on the road either, Kiwi Autohomes is a reliable vehicle. It may not be as modern or slick as some of the others out there, but you can trust it. The vehicle age ranges from 2008 to 2016 fit-out. 

Vehicles

Esprit

The Esprit motorhome makes a perfect ride for two to three adults. Featuring a newer model—a 2014 -2016 motorhome in automatic transmission and 2.5L turbo diesel, this vehicle also comes with a power steering and dual-rear-wheel drive for a fast and easy drive. A fully loaded kitchen with gas cooker/grill, fridge/freezer, microwave, cooking utensils, cutlery & crockery awaits every traveller on-board. At the back of the unit is a snug bench with wrap-around windows for daytime relaxation or night-time retreat.

Concord

The 4 berth Concord motorhome can be the go-to unit for the couples who are looking for extra space or for those bringing their kids. With the ability to cater up to 4 people, the motorhome makes sure that everyone on fleet is comfortable so they give bed options—whether two large double beds or one double and one single. The versatility of the sleeping places is just one of the few great features of this powerful 2013 Ford Transit. Travel in style and comfort with the pressurised hot/cold water, gas hot water & heating, insect screens, roof vents and more.

Riviera

If you want extreme space while walking around inside the main cabin or you want to bring the entire family with you, the 6 berth Riviera answers your prayer. Built upon a 2008 VW Crafter, this motorhome may be the oldest option on fleet but it's still suitable for the open roads. This spacious vehicle features a full walk-through for easy access in and out and a complete entertainment set for fun indoor bonding. Behind the driver's cab are two baby/child seat belt restraints for the youngsters. Other comforts provided by this older yet reliable motorhome are electric mirrors, solar panels, adjustable seats, and air conditioning.

Insurance

Kiwi Autohomes' insurance is quite unique from other rental hires in NZ because they have a compulsory charge of NZ$20.00 per day (maximum payable NZ$1500 or 75 days)  on top of their daily rates for a maximum liability/ excess of NZ$2000 (NZ$4000 for drivers 21 to 25 years of age). The bond/ excess will be required through credit card imprint before the start of your holiday. You have the option to limit the excess by adding extra dollars daily:  NZ$10.00 per day for a maximum liability of NZ$1250 (NZ$2500 for drivers 21 to 25 years of age) or NZ$20.00 per day (minimum hire period of 7 days applies) for a maximum liability (excess) of NZ$500 (NZ$1000 drivers 21-25). Other than that, tyre and windscreen insurance costs at NZ$8.00 per day. 

Reputation

The thing to love about Kiwi Autohomes is how upfront they are about pricing. And when we say upfront, there are no hidden fees. Hence, you will have an idea that renting a unit from them isn't that cheapest in town. Plus, their rental does not include standard insurance so you need to pay the required insurance charge per day whether or not you will avail of a reduction option. But talk to a Kiwi Autohomes customer and nine times out of ten they’ll have something great to say about the company. In fact, one thing about Kiwi Autohomes is just how many of their customers are repeat customers. Lots of them. If that doesn’t speak to a company’s customer service, what does? However, these reviews are just limited to few people and it appears that their more than twenty years experience isn't as grand as you think. 

Summary

When you want customer service that goes the extra mile and campervans that keep you on the road for miles, you might want to get in touch with Kiwi Autohomes. But, of course, your options are restricted, so you may need to hunt down the selection from other rental companies that can give you the same service with cheaper rates and more reliable units.