Tauranga, Hamilton, Rotorua and Auckland. Checked Friday 25 September 2026

The retirement car

Mid size SUV, ideally $30,000 or under but able to stretch to $35,000, the lower the kilometres the better, and it has to pull the 5.5 m Surtees Workmate. The Surtees is about 1,200 kg ready to tow, so any car rated to tow 1,500 kg braked or more will do the job. Every car on the list is marked with its tow rating, and every car in the shortlist is suitable for towing the Surtees.

Welcome home in mid November. These cars were on Trade Me in late September, so some will have sold by the time you're back. Fill in the questions below while you're away, and Ryan will refresh the whole list with fresh cars just before you land.

Set up to print. On a computer press Ctrl and P, pick A4 portrait, and it comes out as a call sheet with a line under each car for the date you rang, whether it's still there, the best price, and whether it has a towbar.

Boat on the trailerAbout 1,200 kgSurtees' published weight ready to tow, with fuel, hardtop and gear
What the car needs1,500 kgBraked tow rating or more
Watchlist cars that pass18 of 19Leaving out the Mazdas. Only the plug in Escape isn't confirmed
Best under $30,000$30,0002022 H6 Ultra 4WD, 27,000 km, towbar fitted, New Plymouth. Or near offer

Tell us what you're after

Mike and Julie, this is for you. Answer what you can, skip anything you're not sure about, and press Save at the bottom. Ryan uses your answers to narrow the list down and go looking for cars that fit. You can come back and change your answers any time. Under each car there's also a "Like" and "Not for us" button.

Who's filling this in?
1How much do you want to spend?

Pick the one that feels right.

2What fuel?

Tick all you'd be happy with. Worth knowing: most hybrids are rated to tow about 1,500 kg, which is fine for the boat. Electric cars at this money mostly aren't.

3Brands you like

Tick any you'd happily own.

4Brands you'd rather not have
5Models you like the look of

From this page, or any other model you've seen and liked. A friend's car counts.

6Colours you like
7Colours you don't want
8How many seats?
9SUV, wagon or ute?

Tick any you'd consider.

10Four wheel drive?

Handy on a wet or shingle boat ramp.

11How many kilometres is too many?
12How old is too old?
13Things you'd really like

Tick anything that matters to you.

14NZ new or imported?
15Dealer or private sale?

A dealer gives you some comeback if something goes wrong. Private is usually cheaper.

16How far will you go to buy it?
17How will you use the boat?
18When do you want to buy?
19Anything else?

Anything we haven't asked. Things you liked or didn't like about your last car are really useful.

Tauranga and Rotorua

Closest to home. One H6 is sitting on Cameron Road already.

41,557km 2022 Haval H6 GT Ultra 2.0T 4WD WhiteNZ newOne private owner, full service history, two keys. More kilometres than the others but it's on Cameron Road, so it's the easy one to go and sit in first and get a feel for the H6 Ebbett Tauranga 123 Cameron Road, Tauranga (07) 578 2843 Harris Edlin 022 196 4903 $34,880 Tows the Surtees
46,637km 2021 Haval H6 Ultra 2.0T 4WD Under $30kWhiteOne owner, on custom 20 inch wheels. Cheapest 4WD H6 close to home, seven grand under the Tauranga one. Ask whether the original wheels come with it Ingham Ford Rotorua 105 Old Taupo Road, Rotorua (07) 376 0244 $27,990 Tows the Surtees
54,875km 2021 Haval H6 Ultra 2.0T Under $30kRedNZ newTop spec Ultra on standard wheels, and a thousand dollars cheaper than the white one at Ingham Ford. The listing doesn't say 2WD or 4WD, so ask Nicholson Rotorua 145 Lake Road, Mangakakahi, Rotorua (07) 282 2420 Mark Donoghue 027 977 8899 $26,995 Tows the Surtees
26,814km 2022 Nissan X-Trail ST-L 7 seat Under $30kRedNZ newPrivate sale, $25,000 firm, bought as an ex demo from Farmers in Tauranga, and a lot of car for the money. It's the old shape X-Trail, rated to tow 1,500 kg, which is enough for the boat. Registration is due this month Private seller Rotorua No phone on the listing, message through Trade Me $25,000 Tows the Surtees

Hamilton, about an hour and a half

Two cheaper H6s at the one yard, so it's a single stop. Both are two wheel drive and a bit older, but they're the way to keep well under budget.

44,051km 2021 Haval H6 Premium 2.0T 2WD Under $30kRedNZ newOne owner, low kilometres for the year, and the cheapest car on the page. Premium is the base spec, so no leather or sunroof. The listing says it's had its plates changed to RWY610 TMC Hamilton 64 Te Kowhai East Road, Burbush, Hamilton (07) 849 0144 Douglas Rauch 021 068 1756 $24,990 Tows the Surtees
59,899km 2021 Haval H6 Ultra 2.0T 2WD Under $30kRedNZ newTop spec Ultra, same yard as the Premium above. Highest kilometres on the page, so it's here to compare, not the first pick TMC Hamilton 64 Te Kowhai East Road, Burbush, Hamilton (07) 849 0144 Douglas Rauch 021 068 1756 $25,990 Tows the Surtees

Auckland, about two and a half hours

The most choice, and the lowest kilometre cars in the budget. Three are off your watchlist, the rest are new finds from a wider Trade Me search. Papatoetoe and Mt Wellington are both on Great South Road, so the south side is one run.

7,900km 2026 Nissan X-Trail ST 2.5 4WD, 7 seat Best buyRedNZ newEx demo off a Nissan dealer. It's the same car as the X-Trails on your watchlist at $39,888 to $39,990, with 4WD and seven seats, for five grand less. Should still have nearly all of the factory warranty Manukau Nissan 17 Cavendish Drive, Manukau (09) 261 4000 Pravin Kumar 021 225 9386 $34,989 Tows the Surtees
14,750km 2024 GWM Haval H6 GT Ultra 2.0T 4WD On your watchlistBlackNZ newLowest kilometre 4WD H6 in the budget, and the cheapest of the 2024 4WD ones. Panoramic roof, auto park West City Auto Group 49 North Side Drive, Westgate 022 666 6550 Leon Masefield, GWM sales $33,495 Tows the Surtees
22,480km 2024 Haval H6 Ultra 2.0T 4WD On your watchlistGreenLeather, sunroof, and the listing says five years of manufacturer's warranty. The dealer fits towbars, so ask them to put one on as part of the deal Greenwise Cars 34 Cartwright Road, Kelston 0800 888 101 Tom 027 318 0554. Nick 021 167 7405 $33,980 Tows the Surtees
9,575km 2023 Subaru Outback Sport 2.4 turbo AWD WagonNew findWhiteImportedOne owner, 9,575 km, private sale. The seller lists 2,000 kg braked towing. It's an import with the 2.4 turbo, so check the tow rating on the compliance plate matches. WoF is due this month Private seller Botany Downs 027 700 7978 $33,250 Tows the Surtees
40,600km 2023 Nissan X-Trail ST 2.5 New findBoulder GreyNZ newNew shape, leather interior. Sitting on 22 inch aftermarket wheels, which ride harder and cost more for tyres. Ask if the originals come with it Trust Motors 10 Norman Spencer Drive, Papatoetoe (09) 887 8668 Harry Nash 027 580 6356 $34,990 Tows the Surtees
46,488km 2023 Subaru Outback Sport 2.5 AWD WagonNew findBlackNZ newNZ new ex lease, so it'll have a full service record. The listing mentions a towbar, so ask what's fitted ORIX Vehicle Sales 1080 Great South Road, Mt Wellington (09) 529 4820 Simone Makiri 027 809 3977 $34,995 Tows the Surtees
46,700km 2021 Haval H6 Ultra 2.0T 2WD Under $30kNew findGreyNZ newTowbar already fitted and under $25,000. Same yard as the black 2024 GT Ultra, so you can look at both in one stop West City Auto Group 49 North Side Drive, Westgate 027 212 9003 Viral Ahir, sales $24,995 Tows the Surtees
47,027km 2022 Subaru Outback Sport 2.5 AWD WagonNew findWhiteNZ newNZ new, WoF to September 2027. Turners prices are firm but it's the cheapest NZ new Outback in the area Turners North Shore 201 Archers Road, Wairau Valley 0800 222 755 $30,210 Tows the Surtees
48,000km 2022 Nissan X-Trail Ti 2.5 4WD GreyNZ newTi is the top spec. It's the old shape X-Trail, rated to tow 1,500 kg, which is enough for the boat Winger Motors Pukekohe 69 Manukau Road, Pukekohe (09) 239 2389 $31,990 Tows the Surtees
54,618km 2023 Nissan X-Trail ST 4WD, 7 seat New findSilverNZ newNew shape Black Edition, 4WD and seven seats. More kilometres than the Manukau demo but a thousand dollars cheaper Pearce Brothers 4x4 Centre 103 Great South Road, Papatoetoe 021 045 5788 Richard Nimmo, sales $33,975 Tows the Surtees
55,000km 2022 Haval H6 Ultra 2.0T 4WD Under $30kNew findGreyNZ newCheapest 4WD H6 in the area at under $25,000 John Andrew Motors 38 Great North Road, Grey Lynn 0800 526 293 $24,990 Tows the Surtees
19,641km 2024 Ford Escape Titanium hybrid On your watchlistWhiteImportedLow kilometres and good on fuel. Rated to tow about 1,600 kg. It's an import, so check the tow rating on its compliance plate. Private sale, two owners Private seller Manukau 027 490 1865 $31,500 Tows the Surtees
41,000km 2024 Ford Escape ST-Line hybrid AWD On your watchlistBlackNZ newOne owner, all wheel drive, about 3 years of factory warranty left. Rated to tow 1,600 kg or more. The seller says there's finance owing that gets cleared on sale, so make sure it is before paying Private seller Wellsford 021 958 206 $30,990 Tows the Surtees
67,691km 2022 Kia Sportage 2.0 diesel AWD On your watchlistUnder $30kWhiteNZ newCheapest car on the page and the diesel tows 1,900 kg. The most kilometres here, and Kia only allows 100 kg on the towball, so balance the boat on the trailer Andrew Simms Used Manukau 630 Great South Road, Manukau (09) 523 7280 Chris Bartlett 021 951 977 $25,800 Tows the Surtees

Worth a thought: a ute or a wagon

SUVs are the main list, but here's one of each of the other two to weigh up.

43,830km 2024 GWM Cannon Lux 2.0 diesel 4WD double cab Under $30kUteRedNZ newSame company as the Haval. A ute tows far more than the SUVs, rated to 3,000 kg, so the boat is easy work, and the tray takes the fishing gear and the chilly bin. The trade offs: a firmer ride, a bigger thing to park, and it's a step up to get in GWM, Haval and Tank Auckland 436 Broadway, Newmarket, Auckland (09) 523 7276 Tyler Robertson 021 922 107 $28,990 Tows the Surtees

The wagon is the Subaru Outback. It's a wagon rather than an SUV: lower to get in and out of, sits nicely on the road, and still tows 2,000 kg with all wheel drive as standard. There are three on the page, all in Auckland and marked "Wagon". The best of them for the money is the 2022 NZ new one at Turners North Shore, $30,210 on 47,027 km.

Further away, but worth a phone call

Outside the Hamilton, Rotorua and Auckland run, but these two are good enough to ring about. Both sellers may deliver or meet halfway, and freight to Tauranga is usually a few hundred dollars.

27,000km 2022 Haval H6 Ultra 2.0T 4WD Under $30kBest valueBrownNZ newOne owner from new, and the towbar is already fitted. Under 30,000 km for $30,000 or near offer. Trade Me flags the seller as "in trade", so ask about that Private seller New Plymouth 021 047 7731 $30,000or near offer Tows the Surtees
18,000km 2025 Nissan X-Trail ST 4WD, 7 seat BlueNZ newOne owner, WoF to July 2028. The owners are leaving New Zealand, so they'll want it gone. The listing says the km will be about 19,000 by the end of September Private seller Wellington City 021 654 394 Best time: mornings $34,500 Tows the Surtees

Your watchlist against the boat

Every car on the watchlist apart from the Mazdas, with its braked tow rating. They all clear the 1,500 kg the boat needs, apart from the plug in Escape, where Ford doesn't publish a clear figure. The Kias and Hyundais only allow 100 kg on the towball, so keep the boat's weight balanced on the trailer.

CarKmPriceWhereRated to towVerdict
Tows it, and in budget
2024 GWM Haval H6 GT Ultra 4WD14,750$33,495Westgate2,000 kgYes
2024 GWM Haval H6 Lux 2WD16,400$30,995Lower Hutt2,000 kgYes
2024 Haval H6 Ultra 4WD22,480$33,980Kelston2,000 kgYes
2024 Haval H6 GT Ultra 4WD29,800$34,990Dunedin2,000 kgYes
2022 Haval H6 GT Ultra 4WD58,000$32,990Christchurch2,000 kgYes
2024 Ford Escape ST-Line hybrid AWD41,000$30,990Wellsford1,600 to 2,100 kgYes
2024 Ford Escape Titanium hybrid, imported19,641$31,500Manukauabout 1,600 kgYes
2024 Mitsubishi Outlander XLS, towbar fitted57,666$34,800Hastings1,600 kgYes
2024 Mitsubishi Outlander XLS 4WD59,000$34,988Christchurch1,600 kgYes
2022 Kia Sportage 2.0 diesel AWD67,691$25,800Manukau1,900 kgYes
2024 Kia Sportage LX 2.0 petrol 2WD48,000$34,990Masterton1,650 kgYes
Tows it, but over $35,000
2026 Nissan X-Trail ST 2.5 2WD25$39,990Botany2,000 kgOver $35k
2026 Nissan X-Trail ST 7 seat 4WD9,900$39,888Lower Hutt2,000 kgOver $35k
2026 Nissan X-Trail ST 2.530$39,990Taupo2,000 kgOver $35k
2025 Hyundai Tucson 2.0 Active8,669$37,995Paeroa1,650 kgOver $35k
2025 Hyundai Tucson 2.0 Active12,300$38,990Hamilton1,650 kgOver $35k
2026 Hyundai Tucson 2.0 Active13,000$38,788North Shore1,650 kgOver $35k
2025 Ford Escape Titanium hybrid3,350$39,995Botanyabout 1,600 kgOver $35k
Check the tow rating first
2025 Ford Escape Titanium plug in hybrid15,301$37,990New Plymouthnot confirmedCheck

The main models

Haval H6 (2.0 turbo petrol)

  • 2,000 kg braked on the 2.0 turbo petrol, 2021 onward. The hybrid is rated to 1,500 kg, which also does the job.
  • You get the most car for the money. A 2024 on low kilometres fits the budget, which no other brand manages.
  • The trade off is resale, and it's thirstier than the X-Trail. Worth asking a local mechanic whether they're happy to service one.
  • Pick the 4WD (Ultra or GT Ultra) if the ramp they use is shingle or slippery.

Nissan X-Trail (new shape, 2.5 petrol)

  • 2,000 kg braked on the new shape 2.5 petrol, 2WD and 4WD. The e-Power hybrid is 1,650 kg.
  • Holds its value better than the H6 and is easier on fuel. Nissan dealers everywhere.
  • The old shape (up to 2022) is rated to 1,500 kg, still enough for the boat. The new shape arrived partway through 2022 and is easier to live with: better screens, safety gear and ride. You can tell them apart by the lights: the old one has boomerang shaped headlights and tail lights, the new one a slim light strip across the top of the nose.
  • 7 seat versions are handy for grandkids.

Subaru Outback (2.5 petrol, 2021 on)

  • 2,000 kg braked, 200 kg on the towball. All wheel drive as standard on every one, which is what you want on a wet boat ramp.
  • A wagon rather than a tall SUV, so it's easier to get in and out of and it sits well on the road. Subaru has a good name for reliability and resale.
  • Stick to NZ new cars where you can. Imports can carry a different tow rating, so check the compliance plate on anything imported.

What to ask on the call

  • Is it still there, and what's the drive away price? One number with on road costs included.
  • Has it got a towbar, and what's it rated to? The bar's own plate has to be rated for the boat as well, not just the car. If there's no bar, ask them to fit a genuine one and wiring for the trailer brakes as part of the deal.
  • How much factory warranty is left, and has it been serviced on time? That keeps the warranty alive.
  • Why is it for sale? Especially the Queenstown H6 with three owners.
  • Book a pre purchase inspection before any money changes hands, particularly on the private sales.
  • Drain the Surtees ballast tank before towing. It adds about 200 kg if it's left full.