Now that a car hating local authority has introduced higher parking charges fro SUVs (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c04gpp4w0rdo) others are sure to follow. This may happen sooner than you think as there is the budget soon so don't be surprised if the motorist is treated as a cash cow yet again.

How do you define a SUV? The Freelander2 is definately not a sports vehicle. I would not class the off road ability as "sports", nor would I calss the performance as "sports". Nor is it a utility vehicle; that is something like a small pick up truck where the back half is a load area. I would say the Freelander2 is an estate car.

What do you learned forumers say?

Jimbo

Although the FL2 has good off roading ability, I for one though would not call it Large,
as the media page states, even my east european car wash guys charge me for a regular car.
My daughter drives a Nisson Quashqui and that's far larger than my FL2. DAVE.

Another Council incentive scheme to encourage people to use Amazon or use free parking at large out of town retail parks. 
Hung like Einstein, smart as a horse.

Jimboland wrote:

Now that a car hating local authority has introduced higher parking charges fro SUVs (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c04gpp4w0rdo) others are sure to follow. This may happen sooner than you think as there is the budget soon so don't be surprised if the motorist is treated as a cash cow yet again.

How do you define a SUV? The Freelander2 is definately not a sports vehicle. I would not class the off road ability as "sports", nor would I calss the performance as "sports". Nor is it a utility vehicle; that is something like a small pick up truck where the back half is a load area. I would say the Freelander2 is an estate car.

What do you learned forumers say?

I think that the Parking Permit rises are not for SUVs only but apply to anything with a Gross Vehicle Weight of more than 2.4 tons.
My FL2 is plated at 2505kg!!!!

I would class my FL2 as a good old fashioned 4x4 (x Ford?)

Jimbo

It’s all about the money, simples.

Justadriver …….quite right it’s just a money making racket…….

Cardiff is the city that has taken a leaf out of Paris’ book…..except Paris is even more greedy….rates for SUVs parking in Paris tripled last year….starting at €18/hr for first 2hrs then €36/hr up to 6hrs for SUVs
petrol/diesel over 1.6 T…..& electric/ hybrid over 2T…….rates for central Paris.

Cardiff Council’s excuse is that SUVs pollute more & are more dangerous to other road users……!
Most of the cars defined as SUV are in fact ordinary, often small cars that thé makers have raised the suspension on compared to the non SUV previous model….giving them a greater ground clearance…….using the same engine /running gear………..I was just looking at a friend’s new Yaris Cross, which fits that description like lots of similar cars. SUV = Sitting Up Vertically…..no more polluting or dangerous than non SUV.
FL2 will be classed as SUV……I won’t be going to Cardiff or Paris in it….. FL2 SD4 HSE Lux Auto MY 2012— current
D2 TD5 HSE Man MY 1999 470kmls….gone 2014 ….lovely engine..chassis rotten
D1 300TDI Man MY 1996 56kmls….gone 1999…D2 much better
Wife’s FL1 1.8P MY 2001 32kmls …gone 2007…has Mini since.

In this case they are defining "SUV" by weight... from the article you quote

Drivers with cars weighing more than 2,400kg - SUVs - will pay more for a permit, and those with cars weighing more than 3,500kg will not be eligible.


I think a FL2 is well under that so would not be classed as SUV in this case.

IanMetro wrote:

I think that the Parking Permit rises are not for SUVs only but apply to anything with a Gross Vehicle Weight of more than 2.4 tons.
My FL2 is plated at 2505kg!!!!

I would class my FL2 as a good old fashioned 4x4 (x Ford?)

@congoblue:

The point ré: FL2 is that Cardiff Council are quoting 2.4tGVW as the limit, that is the Gross Vehicle Weight
I.e. max laden weight…..as Ian says that’s 2505 kgs, well over the limit so they will class the FL2 as SUV with extra charges applied……. FL2 SD4 HSE Lux Auto MY 2012— current
D2 TD5 HSE Man MY 1999 470kmls….gone 2014 ….lovely engine..chassis rotten
D1 300TDI Man MY 1996 56kmls….gone 1999…D2 much better
Wife’s FL1 1.8P MY 2001 32kmls …gone 2007…has Mini since.

Seems a bit odd, Peugeot 3008 Hybrid which is classed as an SUV is over 2600kg as will many EV vehicles, lots of room to argue the rule, most large estates and hatchbacks are longer and possibly as wide as a Freely my PC is slightly to the right of Genghis
2012 HSE SD4 In Orkney Grey now gone, best car ever.