New data from Autotrader reveals that SUVs are set remain a firm favourite among Welsh drivers, even as Cardiff becomes the first UK city to introduce a parking surcharge aimed at heavier vehicles weighing more than 2400kg.
New figures from car marketplace Auto Trader show that demand for SUVs in Wales has remained resilient following the city council’s decision to introduce charges for vehicles weighing more than 2,400kg. Analysis of enquiry data before and after the policy was approved reveals that SUVs still account for 35% of the top 20 most-enquired cars in Wales.
The findings suggest that, while Cardiff’s clampdown may influence behaviour in the capital, drivers across the rest of Wales — particularly in rural areas — are continuing to prioritise practicality, comfort and performance over concerns about vehicle size.
SUV demand holds firm
Popular models including the Range Rover Sport, Nissan Qashqai and BMW X5 continue to feature prominently among the most-searched vehicles, despite the potential for higher parking costs in Cardiff.
Commenting on the data, Erin Baker, car-selling expert at Auto Trader, said:
“Despite the parking surcharges, SUVs remain hugely popular in Wales. Cardiff’s recent move to introduce parking fees for cars weighing over 2400kg, will impact drivers of many SUVs, but our data shows most buyers are still opting for comfort and capability over fuel efficiency.”
Before the surcharge: SUVs well represented
In the two months leading up to the council’s approval of the SUV parking charge, Auto Trader data from September to October 2025 showed eight SUVs in the top 20 most-enquired vehicles in Wales. Several placed inside the top 10, including the Nissan Qashqai, Volkswagen Tiguan and Land Rover Range Rover Evoque.
Top 20 Cars in Wales – Before the Charge Announcement (Sept–Oct 2025)
| Rank | Make | Model | Body Type | % of Leads |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Volkswagen | Golf | Hatchback | 5.40% |
| 2 | Ford | Fiesta | Hatchback | 2.60% |
| 3 | Volkswagen | Polo | Hatchback | 2.10% |
| 4 | BMW | 1 Series | Hatchback | 1.90% |
| 5 | Mercedes-Benz | A Class | Hatchback | 1.70% |
| 6 | Audi | A3 | Hatchback | 1.60% |
| 7 | Ford | Focus | Hatchback | 1.50% |
| 8 | Nissan | Qashqai | SUV | 1.30% |
| 9 | Volkswagen | Tiguan | SUV | 1.30% |
| 10 | Land Rover | Range Rover Evoque | SUV | 1.30% |
| 11 | MINI | Hatch | Hatchback | 1.20% |
| 12 | Vauxhall | Corsa | Hatchback | 1.20% |
| 13 | BMW | 5 Series | Saloon | 1.20% |
| 14 | BMW | 3 Series | Saloon | 1.10% |
| 15 | Land Rover | Range Rover Sport | SUV | 1.00% |
| 16 | Toyota | Yaris | Hatchback | 0.90% |
| 17 | Nissan | Juke | SUV | 0.90% |
| 18 | BMW | X5 | SUV | 0.90% |
| 19 | Ford | Kuga | SUV | 0.80% |
| 20 | Land Rover | Discovery Sport | SUV | 0.80% |
After approval: little change in buyer behaviour
Following approval of the surcharge, Auto Trader data from October to November 2025 shows that seven SUVs still feature in the top 20 most-enquired vehicles.
Notably, the Nissan Qashqai climbed from eighth to sixth place, while the Audi Q3 entered the top 10 after not featuring the previous month — indicating sustained interest in mid-size SUVs.
Top 20 Cars in Wales – After the Charge Announcement (Oct–Nov 2025)
| Rank | Make | Model | Body Type | % of Leads |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Volkswagen | Golf | Hatchback | 4.40% |
| 2 | Ford | Fiesta | Hatchback | 2.70% |
| 3 | BMW | 1 Series | Hatchback | 2.00% |
| 4 | Mercedes-Benz | A Class | Hatchback | 1.90% |
| 5 | Ford | Focus | Hatchback | 1.70% |
| 6 | Nissan | Qashqai | SUV | 1.50% |
| 7 | Volkswagen | Polo | Hatchback | 1.40% |
| 8 | BMW | 3 Series | Saloon | 1.30% |
| 9 | Volkswagen | Tiguan | SUV | 1.20% |
| 10 | Audi | Q3 | SUV | 1.20% |
| 11 | Peugeot | 208 | Hatchback | 1.00% |
| 12 | Audi | A1 | Hatchback | 1.00% |
| 13 | Vauxhall | Corsa | Hatchback | 1.00% |
| 14 | Toyota | Yaris | Hatchback | 1.00% |
| 15 | Land Rover | Discovery Sport | SUV | 0.90% |
| 16 | Kia | Sportage | SUV | 0.90% |
| 17 | Nissan | Juke | SUV | 0.90% |
| 18 | BMW | 5 Series | Saloon | 0.90% |
| 19 | Hyundai | NEXO | SUV | 0.90% |
| 20 | Audi | A3 | Hatchback | 0.90% |
Implications for Cardiff and beyond
While Cardiff is leading the way with vehicle-weight-based parking charges, Auto Trader’s data suggests that any immediate shift away from SUVs has yet to materialise at a national or regional level.
However, as more local authorities consider similar policies, vehicle weight and emissions may play a growing role in future purchasing decisions. For now, the figures indicate that Welsh drivers remain loyal to SUVs — balancing convenience and capability against the prospect of higher urban parking costs.
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