JUCY Campervan Review – What I think of JUCY Campervans

If you’re thinking about renting a campervan and road tripping around New Zealand, then first of all, congratulations! You’re in for an epic adventure. But having done van life myself, I know all too well that choosing the right rental company makes all the difference. After all, this is going to be your home for the next few weeks or months. 

JUCY Campervans are pretty famous in New Zealand. In fact, I spot their bright green and purple all the time in Queenstown, where I live! But are they worth renting or should you go with another company? Having rented with JUCY myself, I decided to write an honest review to help you make the right decision. I’ll break down the pros and cons, and give you my final verdict. Let’s get into it! 

Pros of JUCY Campervans

1. Lots of pick up and drop off locations

JUCY Rentals has pickup and dropoff locations at the airports in Auckland, Christchurch, and my beloved Queenstown, which makes things super easy! You just need to make sure that your road trip itinerary starts and ends in one of these major cities. The chances are, you’ll be flying in and out of them anyway. 

In all 3 of these major cities, I consider JUCY my top choice for campervan rentals. However, if you want to compare companies in each location, check out my guide to renting a campervan in Auckland. And if you’re visiting the South Island, I’ve written a guide to renting campervans in Christchurch, and of course, Queenstown.

2. A large inventory of campervans

JUCY is a big company and they have a huge inventory, which means that they don’t sell out months and months in advance! I’ve found that small companies that only have a couple of vans tend to sell out months in advance, but with JUCY, I’ve booked much closer to the date of my trips. You could even find a rental for tomorrow if you wanted! 

3. Big brand with great service

JUCY is a big company that has customer service down pat, with strong policies in place. I’ve always found their customer service to be really helpful and efficient. For example, if you have a problem with your van while you’re on the road, they’ll help you get it fixed the very same day and take care of the bill so that you’re never out of pocket. 

4. Lower price than comparable vans in NZ

Since JUCY is a big company, they’re able to offer more competitive prices than some of the smaller providers. You get more bang for your buck for a comparable service. I’m the kind of person who loves to do my research and shop around, and I find JUCY’s prices to be very competitive. It’s one of the reasons they’re so popular! 

Hot Tip: To compare prices of different campervan rentals in NZ, use Motorhome Republic! Their booking system is easy to use and allows you to compare different models, companies, prices, and features in one easy place.

5. Campervans are easy to drive

All JUCY campervans are automatic, so they’re super easy to drive. This is ideal for me because I’m from Canada, where we pretty much all drive automatics. And even if you’re used to driving a manual car, switching to an automatic is a breeze (whereas it can be a bit of a nightmare going the other way around!). 

6. Four types of campervans are available

I really like the fact that JUCY has a range of vans to suit different needs. There are four types available:

• The Crib: a small and nifty campervan for two people – this is a good budget option!
• The Chaser: a three-person van with a shower and toilet. 
• The Cruiser: has its own kitchen, shower, and toilet, and sleeps up to four. 
• The Condo: a four-person self-contained campervan with a decent-sized kitchen. 

Note: JUCYs are great for up to 4, but if you’re looking for something even larger, consider renting a motorhome in New Zealand instead.

7. I get discounts

And when I say “I”, I really mean you! I spoke to the kind folks over at JUCY and arranged a special discount code, that allows you to get 5% off campervan bookings with JUCY. This also applies to motorhome rentals for Star RV if you’re looking for something more space.

Just use code DTRAVEL25 at checkout to get your discount. Simply click here to select your JUCY campervan, or click here to select your Star RV motorhome to get started – it’s that easy!

It’s important to note that no discounts or promotions will be applied for pickups from December 15, 2024 to January 19, 2025 for New Zealand and Australia. But for the entire rest of the year, the discount is yours!

Need more information about this promo code before you book? Check out my full guide to JUCY’s promo code here so you can save money on your adventure!

Related Read: For some road trip inspo, check out these 10-day South Island itineraries, which include 5 of my favorite routes!

Cons of JUCY Campervans

1. Basic campervan fitout

The fitout of JUCY campervans is pretty basic. You get everything you need, but not much more than that! They offer great value for money but don’t have the same amenities that you find in larger, more luxurious motorhomes, which means you either need to bring additional gear or be prepared to rough it a little! I don’t mind this at all, but it’s not for everyone. 

2. Vans are green

I’m not a huge fan of JUCY’s signature green. I feel as though it really makes you stand out as a tourist, which isn’t something I’m ever trying to do! However, this isn’t always a bad thing as it definitely does create a sense of camaraderie with your fellow travelers. But if I ever buy my own van, there is no way I will be painting it bright green! 

3. Extras cost more

As I mentioned above, JUCY’s campervan fitout is pretty basic. They do have extras available to rent but they will cost more. For example, camping chairs cost $18 NZD per day, and a camping table costs $25 NZD per day. That’s pretty expensive! 

However, saying that, you do get complimentary camping chairs, a table, and laundry exchange with JUCY’s Stress Free insurance cover package, so there are ways to circumvent this. Items like roof racks and ski racks cost more, too, but that’s pretty standard.

Features of JUCY Campervans

The Crib 

The JUCY Crib is the smallest and most affordable option. It’s got all of the basics you need for two people, like a little kitchen in the trunk, a table and benches inside, and seats that convert into beds. There’s even a sink and a 25-liter fresh water tank, so it’s easy to freshen up or cook simple meals on the go. It can be a little cramped but I think that the Crib is great if you’re on a budget.

The Chaser

I’ve hired a JUCY Chaser before and had a really good experience! It’s a 3-berth caravan, so Dan and I had a bit more space than we would have if we’d gone for the 2-person Crib. It’s got a toilet and shower, so it’s ideal for freedom camping, and it has a bigger fridge and water tank than the Crib. It’s a bit more expensive than the Crib but I think it’s worth it if you’ve got the budget, especially if you’re traveling to more remote parts of New Zealand. 

The Condo

The JUCY Condo sleeps four, and I think it’s a great choice for families – it’s actually the only JUCY campervan that can fit a child seat or baby capsule. It’s also got two double beds and a larger kitchen than the Crib and the Chaser, with an 80-liter fridge, which means you can store plenty of food on board! 

The Cruiser

The Cruiser is the latest and greatest addition to JUCY’s fleet. I’ve found that these custom-built camper vans are perfect for groups of friends hitting the road together. They’re spacious and comfy, with a hot water system and a good-sized kitchen (replete with a microwave!). Plus, they’re so easy to drive because they’ve even got a cruise control feature. So if you’re more of a glamper than a camper, I think you’ll get on well with the Cruiser! 

Related Read: Many companies offer pickup and dropoff in major cities only, so this Queenstown to Christchurch road trip might come in handy.

Would I rent from JUCY Campervans again?

Yes, definitely! Overall, I really like this company and have rented from them multiple times, so I’m sure it won’t be long before I’m behind the wheel of one of their eye-catching campervans yet again. They’re definitely one of the best options for exploring the South Island. 

I do like Mad Campers too, but JUCY has more options and is just so easy to rent from. I actually break down the details of each on my blog about the most trusted campervan rentals in NZ. But when it comes to JUCY Rentals, I like to take friends and family who come to visit on road trips, so they’re perfect for that! They definitely get my tick of approval.

Thanks for reading!

JUCY Rentals is my top choice for campervans in New Zealand. They have convenient pickup locations at major airports and excellent customer service. They might not be super decked out, but they cover the basics and have a huge inventory, which makes them very reliable. Plus, their prices are hard to beat, so I always recommend them to friends.

I hope this review has helped you pick a campervan rental company! If you’re traveling to other parts of the country, read my blog all about New Zealand here. I even have a section dedicated entirely to road trips! Or, just click on one of the links below to get started. Thanks for reading and happy travels!

13 BEST Stops on the Drive from Auckland to Rotorua

25 Most BEAUTIFUL Places to Visit in New Zealand (that You Can’t Miss!)

North Island VS South Island of New Zealand – Which is Better?