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 Apex
 Car Rental


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At MatesRates, comparing car rentals is a breeze. With access to over 25 car rental brands, including Apex Car Rentals, you can quickly find the best deal for your needs.

We provide a clear, side-by-side comparison of Apex and other rental firms, allowing you to choose the right option for you.

MatesRates takes a neutral approach when it comes to car rental companies. Our focus is on giving you accurate, unbiased information so you can make well-informed decisions with confidence.

Apex Car Rentals

Apex is one of New Zealand’s largest car rental companies and part of the Avis Budget Group.

Apex offers some of the most affordable rates in the market with no additional fees for credit cards, one-way rentals, or additional drivers. Extras that other many competitors charge for are included at no additional cost and Airpoints Dollars™ can be earned.


Depots are off-airport but free shuttles provided. Apex provide a diverse fleet of vehicles, from economy hatchbacks to people movers, catering to various travel needs. The fleet tends to be older (around 4-5 years).

Pros

  • Affordable Rates: Competitive pricing with no extra fees for credit cards, one-way rentals, or additional drivers.
  • Transparent Pricing: No hidden costs for child seats or young drivers.
  • Ferry Flexibility: Allows taking cars on ferries between North & South Islands.
  • Airpoints: Earn Airpoints Dollars™ on rentals.
  • Damage Documentation: Pre-rental vehicle condition photos for transparency.
  • No One-Way Fees: Free one-way rentals across locations.

Cons

  • Off-Airport Depots: Depots are off-airport, requiring shuttle rides, which adds time to the process.
  • Older Vehicles: Cars are typically 4-5 years old.
  • Limited After-Hours Pick-Up: Not available at all locations.
  • Fuel Surcharge: Extra charge if vehicle isn’t returned with a full tank.

Apex Branch Locations

Apex Car Rentals depot

Apex Car Rentals operate in 14 locations across New Zealand, including major airports and cities. (Click on location names to see address, business hours, pick up & drop off details).

North Island

Auckland Airport

Off-airport location but within the airport grounds at 46 Verissimo Drive. A 10 minute drive from terminals by free shuttle service. Open 7 days, 6:30am - 7:00pm. After-hours pickup and return available

Auckland City

206 Victoria Street West, Auckland CBD. Open Monday to Friday: 8:00am - 5:00pm; Saturday & Sunday: 8:00am - 4:30pm. After-hours return available, but not pickup.

Napier Airport

Off-airport with free shuttle service. 111 Main North Road, Westshore, Napier. Open 7 days 8:30am - 5:00pm. After-hours return & pickup not available.

Tauranga Airport

Off-airport with free shuttle service. 21 Jean Batten Drive, Mount Maunganui. Open Monday to Friday: 8:30am - 4:30pm; Saturday & Sunday: 9:00am - 4:00pm. After-hours return available, but not pickup.

Wellington Airport

Off-airport with free shuttle service. 363 Broadway, Miramar, Wellington. Open 7 days, 8:00am - 5:00pm. After-hours pickup and return available.

Wellington City

186 Victoria Street, Te Aro, Wellington. Open Monday to Friday: 8:00am - 5:30pm; Saturday & Sunday: 8:00am - 4:30pm. After-hours return available, but not pickup.

South Island

Blenheim Airport

On airport location. Open Monday to Friday: 8:00am - 4:30pm; Saturday & Sunday: 9:00am - 5:00pm. After-hours pickup and return available.

Christchurch Airport

Off-airport location but within the airport grounds at 28 Ron Guthrey Road. A 10 minute drive from terminals by free shuttle service. Open 7 days, 8:00am - 6:30pm. After-hours pickup and return available.

Christchurch City

150 Kilmore Street, Christchurch Central. Open 7 days, 8:00am - 5:00pm. After-hours return available, but not pickup.

Greymouth

Apex counter is in the train station at 164 Mackay Street, Greymouth. Open 7 days, 10am-4pm. After-hours return available, but not pickup.

Invercargill Airport

Off-airport but within the airport grounds at 73 Airport Ave. A 4 minute walk from terminal & free shuttle service. Open Monday to Friday: 8:00am - 4:30pm; Saturday: 8:00am - 1:30pm; Sunday: 8:00am - 4:30pm. After-hours return & pickup not available.

Nelson Airport

Off-airport with free shuttle service. 12 Quarantine Road, Tahunanui, Nelson. Open 7 days, 8:00am - 6:00pm. After-hours return & pickup not available.

Picton

Interislander Ferry Terminal, Picton. Open 7 days, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. After-hours return available, but not pickup.

Queenstown Airport

Off-airport at 32 Lucas Place, Frankton. A 5 minute walk from terminal & free shuttle service available. Open 7 days 8:00am - 5:30pm. After-hours pickup and return available.

Airport Pick-Up and Drop-Off

Upon arrival at the airport, customers should collect their luggage and then contact the Apex depot via the provided phone number (usually listed in the booking confirmation). A free shuttle will pick up customers from a designated area at the terminal and transfer them to the depot.

Shuttle services typically operate during the depot's business hours. For after-hours pick-ups, it’s advisable to confirm the availability of shuttle services in advance with Apex. 

Vehicle Fleet

Apex offers an array of vehicles, including:

  • Economy Hatchbacks: Small, fuel-efficient cars for city driving.
  • Standard Hatchbacks and Wagons: Larger vehicles for longer journeys.
  • SUVs and 4WDs: Comfortable and spacious, ideal for families or groups.
  • People Movers: 8-seater and 12-seater vans for larger groups.

The vehicles are typically 4 - 5 years old.

White Toyota hatchback car
White SUV car with APEX number plate

Rental Rates

Apex consistently provides some of the most competitive rates in the market.

Economy vehicles typically start at NZD 30-40 per day, while larger SUVs and people movers range from NZD 70-100 per day.

Rental rates fluctuate significantly depending on factors like rental dates, hire duration and how early you book. (Usually the earlier you book, the lower the rate).

Click the button below to get the lowest rates for your travel dates. 

One-Way Rentals

Apex allows one-way rentals and does not charge additional fees.

Additional Drivers

Apex allows you to add extra drivers at no cost, as long as each one presents a full, valid driver’s licence at the time of rental. While the primary renter remains responsible for any vehicle damage, sharing the driving can ease the burden and make long trips safer and more manageable for everyone.

Insurance Options

Apex offers several insurance options, including:

  • Basic Cover: Included with all rentals, it usually comes with a high excess.
  • Limited Cover: Reduces the excess to a much lower amount, such as $500.
  • Maximum Cover: Eliminates the excess entirely, but comes at a higher daily rate.

Additional Services

  • Child Seats: Child safety and booster seats are available at no extra cost. If you require these, ensure you request them at the time of booking.
  • GPS units: Apex no longer offer portable GPS units because the majority of their fleet have Apple Car Play or Android Auto enabled and customers have GPS apps on their smartphones.

Ferry Crossings

Apex allows vehicles to be taken on the ferry between the North and South Islands, which is a significant convenience compared to some competitors that require customers to switch vehicles. You can book your ferry tickets through Apex at the same time you book your rental car. Depending on the length of rental and the travel period, Apex may cover the cost of the vehicle ferry ticket.

Policies

  • Cancellation: Customers can cancel their booking without penalty if done more  than 14 days before their rental pickup.
  • No-Show Fees: Charges apply for no-shows.
  • Late Return Fees: Any unauthorised late return will attract a surcharge of $20 per hour (up to 4 hours) and $80 per day thereafter in addition to the daily rate. Contact the Apex rental location if you wish to extend your rental.

Rental Conditions

  • Age restrictions: Drivers must be at least 21 years old.
  • License requirements: You must have a current and valid full driver licence to rent a car from Apex Car Rentals. A valid driver’s license in English is required, or an international driving permit if the license is in another language.  If you have an International Driving Permit, you must also carry your current and valid driver licence.

    Digital driver's licenses issued in Australia and New Zealand are accepted, but must be validated at the time of rental.

Check-In and Payment Process

People at Apex checkin

The check-in process at Apex Rental Cars is straightforward, with most branches offering quick service. Payments can be made using major credit cards, and in some cases, debit cards are also accepted.  

Unlike most rental car companies, Apex doesn’t charge Credit Card Fees.

The Apex "PhotoProofed" service documents the condition of rental vehicles with photographs taken before customer pick-up. This ensures any pre-existing damage is recorded and shared with the customer via email, providing transparency and peace of mind. Customers can review the images, sign off on them at the counter, and even upload their own photos if they feel something was missed, helping to avoid disputes about vehicle condition upon return.

Fuel Policies

When you rent a car with Apex in New Zealand there are three options for refuelling when you return the vehicle:

  1. At the end of your rental you can stop at a petrol station to refuel and return the vehicle with a full tank of fuel (we recommend this option)
  2. You can prepay for fuel at the start of your rental and return the car without refuelling
  3. Apex can refuel the vehicle for you, however you will be charged for each litre of fuel required plus a $20 refuelling surcharge.

Roadside Assistance Options

Apex offers 24/7 roadside assistance with all rentals. This service covers a range of issues, including breakdowns and flat tires, ensuring peace of mind for customers while on the road.

Customer Reviews and Ratings

Customer reviews provide helpful insights into a company’s service and quality, giving you a clearer idea of what to expect.

Apex receives mixed reviews on major review platforms. Apex was rated as the #3 NZ hire car company in 2024 by the Canstar Blue customer satisfaction awards. However, on TrustPilot, Apex only has 38 reviews and an overall 'Average' rating with 3.7 out of 5 stars.

While some customers praise Apex for good service and value, others report a negative experience.

Common Praise

  • Customers often commend Apex for its transparent pricing, ease of service, and well-maintained vehicles.

Common Complaints

  • Some customers report issues with customer service and older substandard vehicles (these negative reviews are generally not recent).

Competitors

Depending on where you need a rental car, there are other mid-tier competitors you may want to consider. These include Alamo Rent A Car, Ezi Car Rental, GO Rentals, Jucy Rentals, Snap Rentals, and Thrifty.