Jucy Rentals Review

Pros and Cons

The Jucy Experience

Jucy targets the 18-30 demographic. Their marketing is fun, their vans are bright green and their pricing undercuts every other fleet company. The trade-off is space and amenities. A Jucy Crib (their base model) is essentially a Toyota Previa or similar van with the rear seats removed and a fold-flat bed platform installed. A basic kitchenette with a gas burner and sink sits in the back. That's it.

You can't stand up inside. There's no bathroom. Storage is limited to what fits under the bed platform and in the rear. For two people who spend their days hiking, surfing and exploring — and just need a place to sleep and cook dinner — it works. For anyone who wants interior living space, it doesn't.

Their larger models (Jucy Chaser, Jucy Condo) step up to proper campervans with more space, and some include toilets. These cost $100-$150 NZD/night — still cheaper than Apollo or Britz but with the amenities that make a multi-week trip comfortable.

Pricing

Jucy's base rates are the lowest you'll find from a fleet company in NZ or Australia. A Jucy Crib in shoulder season can drop to $60-$70 NZD/night. Even peak summer rarely exceeds $130 NZD for the base model. That's $40-$80/night cheaper than Apollo's equivalent.

Liability reduction runs $20-$35 NZD/day. Without it, your excess is $3,000-$5,000 NZD. Bedding is sometimes included, sometimes an add-on ($30-$50 NZD). No kitchen kit fee — the basic cooking setup is built in. One-way fees between NZ cities are reasonable at $100-$200 NZD.

A 14-day Jucy Crib rental in shoulder season: $980-$1,400 NZD base + $280-$490 liability reduction = $1,260-$1,890 NZD total. That's roughly half the cost of a Britz 2-berth for the same period. The savings are massive for budget travelers.

Freedom Camping Warning

Most Jucy base models are NOT self-contained. This means freedom camping is off-limits in NZ. You're restricted to paid campgrounds ($15-$40 NZD/night) and holiday parks ($25-$50 NZD/night). Over a 14-day trip, that's $210-$560 NZD in accommodation costs on top of the rental.

If freedom camping matters, ask specifically about self-contained models when booking. Their larger vans (Condo) sometimes qualify. Or consider Britz, where most NZ vehicles are certified self-contained.

Who Is Jucy Best For?

• → Backpackers on a tight budget who need the cheapest possible wheels-and-bed combination.
• → 18-20 year olds who can't rent from other companies requiring 21+ age minimums.
• → Short trips (3-7 days) where the small interior is manageable. Two weeks in a Jucy Crib tests even the most patient relationship.
• → Active travelers who treat the van as a sleeping pod between outdoor activities. If you're inside the van only to sleep and cook, Jucy is fine.

Final Verdict

Jucy does one thing well: puts you on the road in a campervan for the least amount of money. The vans are basic. The interiors are small. The fleet is older. But for budget travelers who spend their days outside and just need a place to crash, Jucy delivers at a price that's hard to argue with. Don't expect comfort. Do expect value.

Rating: 3.7 / 5 — Best budget fleet option in NZ/AU. Limited by vehicle quality and lack of self-contained options.