The car itself was clean and new. Handled new Zealand roads very well and was perfectly adequate in regards to space.
Upon arriving in Auckland we were told by the Budget desk at the airport that there was no reservation in the system under my name. This was not our original pickup location, but they assured us they would be able to see it regardless. After a couple minutes they said they saw it after all at the Penrose branch and told us to catch a cab there. $40 cab ride later the Penrose station tells us that they also cannot see my reservation, that all of the cars like the one I could PROVE I'd reserved on the lot were reserved by other people. They then told me my total reservation for a smaller car would be $350+ higher than I had secured in advance and that I was out of luck if I wanted anything else. Thankfully upon delivery to Wellington the Budget desk was able to lower the previously charged amount to match my original quote, which is a huge saving grace for me. Unfortunately that still means that I paid the price of an SUV rental for a Toyota corolla.