SUVs remain a Welsh favourite despite parking surcharges
Ella Groves
New data has revealed that SUVs still dominate Welsh car buying habits despite the announcement of parking surcharges for heavier vehicles.
Cardiff is the first city in the UK to introduce a parking surcharge for larger vehicles but new findings from Autotrader suggest this has not deterred Welsh drivers.
SUVs make up over a third (35%) of the top 20 most enquired models in Wales with cars such as the Nissan Qashqai and Audi Q3 rising in popularity after the surcharge was announced.
Autotrader data showed that between September and October 2025, prior to the announcement of the surcharge plans, the list of the top 20 most popular cars in Wales featured eight SUVs.
Between October and November 2025, following the announcement, Autotrader data showed that the top 20 most popular cars in Wales still featured seven SUVs.
The Nissan Qashqai even moved up the rankings from 8th to 6th as one of the most enquired vehicles.
Models such as the Range Rover Sport and BMW X5 remain on drivers wish lists – particularly in Wales’ more rural regions where drivers prioritise safety, practicality, and performance.
20 most popular cars in Wales after charge announcement
Following the local council approval of the SUV charge in Wales, Autotrader’s data between October and November 2025 reveals the top 20 most popular cars still feature seven SUVs. In this time, the Nissan Qashqai moved up from 8th to 6th place as one of the most enquired vehicles.
Moving into 10th place, the Audi Q3 also grew in popularity, having not featured the month previously.
| Car Enquiries
(Oct to 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% |
As cities like Cardiff pioneer these SUV policies, Welsh drivers may soon need to rethink their vehicle choices, according to Autotrader. Their data shows a strong loyalty to SUVs, but with more local authorities looking to explore similar schemes, vehicle weight could become a bigger factor for future car buying decisions across the UK.
Autotrader’s Erin Baker 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.”
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The surcharge applies only in Cardiff and only to those applying for resident parking permits.
This means drivers across the rest of Wales and drivers in Cardiff living in houses and flats with drives and parking are no captured by the surcharge.
So its not really doing much. Its a waste of time from Cardiff Council.
It’s still an opportunity to raise more revenue from those with broader shoulders which helps keep ctax down for everyone else. They should adopt the Edinburgh system which has residents paying upto £995 per year.
https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/downloads/file/35280/charging-structure-for-cpz-15-july-2024
Awful vehicles, they make life very difficult for people driving normal sized cars who carry babies and toddlers in the back seats. Being parked next to these huge vehicles make it near impossible to get baby seats out of the back. I wish car manufacturers considered the obvious practicality issues of increasing car sizes when parking spaces stay constant.
Amazing how many drivers of these Chelsea tractors can’t park properly. Love to see them passing driving test in one! People just buy them to boss the road.