Why Hiring a Ute is the Best Way to Explore New Zealand’s Scenic Routes

If there was a league table for countries with scenic drives, New Zealand would surely feature somewhere near the top of it.

Aotearoa, after all, is a country with stunning coastlines, breathtaking mountains, gorgeous lakes, and lush alpine forests that time seems to have forgotten.

As many of these areas can only be accessed via dirt tracks or rarely traveled off-the-beaten-path routes, sometimes regular 2WD sedans or hatchbacks just won’t cut it. Instead, many of the country’s most incredible landscapes are much easier to get to in a 4×4.

It doesn’t matter if you are exploring Cape Reinga, the most northern part of the North Island, Slope Point at the very southern tip of the South Island, or anywhere in between, here is why hiring a Ute is a great way to explore New Zealand’s best scenic routes.

 

What is a Ute?

If you are not familiar with the car scene in New Zealand, then you might be wondering what a Ute is. Well, in both that country and Australia, it is a popular form of personal transportation that is short for ‘utility vehicle’. Essentially, it refers to any type of car vehicle that has an open area at the back where you can store cargo.

In the USA, it is better known as a ‘pick-up truck’, while South Africans refer to it as a bakkie. Elsewhere, in places like the United Kingdom, Ireland, Malaysia, India, Hong Kong, and Singapore, it is simply called a ‘pick up’ or ‘4×4’.

 

What are the Main Features of a Ute?

Utes are popular vehicles in New Zealand (and Australia) because of their durability, functionality, and versatility.

One of their most notable features is that they have spacious cargo beds, which are great for travelers who want to take camping gear, extra petrol, bikes, surfboards, or several days’ worth of food and other supplies with them.

Typically, the rear storage space can be a cab chassis with a drop tray, which is often wider than the cab itself, or a tub body that has deep walls to prevent your items from shifting.

Additionally, Utes tend to have a high towing capacity, which relates to the weight they can tow behind them, such as a boat or caravan. They also possess excellent off-road capabilities that allow them to easily navigate some of the country’s most difficult terrains.

Another notable feature of Utes is that they have a higher payload capacity than most 2WD vehicles. This refers to the maximum weight the Ute can carry, including passengers and cargo, with one ton being the standard among many models.

They also possess a wide range of safety and efficiency features like a reversing camera, autonomous emergency braking, and blind spot monitor that can improve performance on- and off-road.

 

Popular Ute Brands in New Zealand

At present, there are around 4.5 million registered vehicles in New Zealand, and about 472,000 of them are Utes. Two of the most popular brands are the Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux.

The Ford Ranger is renowned for its excellent suspension system, which has been modified to handle even the roughest and uneven of surfaces. It also boasts a suite of advanced technologies, such as a 360-degree camera and an off-road screen that displays vehicle information like pitch, roll, and off-road status, which enables you to comfortably drive in any terrain.

For many people who enjoy off-roading, the Toyota Hilux is a popular choice due to its toughness and reliability. This vehicle has a powerful engine, durable build, and excellent high ground clearance, which means it can tackle the rugged conditions of New Zealand pretty easily.

 

Benefits of Hiring a Ute

If you are planning to drive the country’s scenic routes and you don’t have access to a Ute, you should be able to secure a 4×4 truck hire in New Zealand in most major cities and tourist areas.

Here are some of the main benefits of doing so.

 

1. Safety

New Zealand’s diverse landscapes can be difficult to traverse at the best of times, let alone when weather conditions are not favourable.

Thankfully, the clearance, stability, and power of a Ute can help you navigate your way through even the most challenging of courses with ease, such as Arthur’s Pass National Park, which is considered New Zealand’s most dangerous road.

 

2. Versatility and Freedom

One of the joys of exploring New Zealand in a Ute is that it gives you the freedom to veer off the well-driven tourist trail.

As they excel in traversing muddy dirt tracks and bumpy gravel roads, they are able to get to less-explored locations, such as Mount Taranaki, Karikari Peninsula, or Akaroa, or go on a road trip from Auckland to places you might otherwise not be able to visit in a 2WD.

 

3. Storage

As mentioned previously, Utes have a big storage area at the back, which enables you to carry everything from camping and cooking equipment, mountain bikes, and hiking boots to surfboards, extra petrol, and several days’ worth of supplies.

This capability means you can spend as much time as you want to explore both the North and South Islands of New Zealand at your leisure in a self-sufficient way.