Cardiff may be the first UK city to introduce a parking surcharge for larger vehicles, but Autotrader’s latest data suggests Welsh drivers aren’t ready to give up their SUVs just yet.
By comparing their data for most-enquired cars in Wales before and after the parking charge was approved by the local council, car selling specialist Autotrader reveals that SUVs still make up over a third (35%) of the top 20 most enquired models in Wales.
Popular models like the Range Rover Sport, Nissan Qashqai and BMW X5 remain high on drivers’ wish lists, particularly in Wales’ more rural regions, where practicality, safety and performance remain top priorities.
The new scheme in Cardiff introduces a parking surcharge based on the weight of vehicles, meaning larger vehicles like SUVs are more likely to be affected.
But Erin Baker, at Autotrader, says comfort and confidence still drive consumer demand, “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.”
Top 20 Cars in Wales Before the Charge Announcement
Between September and October 2025, prior to the SUV surcharge plans were approved by the local council, the top 20 most popular vehicles featured eight SUVs. Including Nissan Qashqai, Volkswagen Tiguan and Land Rover Evoque, which all placed in the top 10.
The 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.
What this means for drivers
As cities like Cardiff pioneer these SUV policies, Welsh drivers may soon need to rethink their vehicle choices. Autotrader’s 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.
