4x4s come in from the cold after big freeze

THEIR overbearing presence and gas-guzzling tendencies made them pariahs of the road. But sales of 4x4 vehicles – often derided as "Chelsea tractors"– are booming following Britain's worst winter in 40 years.

Despite previous concerns about the impact they have on the environment, sales of off-road vehicles rose by 10.5 per cent last month.

Manufacturers said sales in January are also significantly higher than in the same month last year, with Land Rover reporting a 60 per cent rise. This compares with an overall car sales increase of 30 per cent over the same period.

The rise in sales is also reflected in the value of second-hand 4x4s. British Car Auctions (BCA) reported that the heavy snow pushed the average cost of a used 4x4 to a record level of 12,981, up from just over 6,700 in 2008 when sales slumped by 20 per cent as a result of environmental concerns and fears of road tax rises for larger vehicles.

BCA spokesman Tony Gannon said: "Nothing makes a four-wheel drive more attractive than a dusting of snow. And the severe weather we had during January will have convinced many drivers that they now need a 4x4.

"Of all the car sectors affected by the economic downturn, few fell harder or faster than the 4x4/sports utility sector and few have recovered as well in the intervening months."

Internet enquiries about 4x4s are also up. Land Rover, Volvo and Toyota say their websites have received a massive influx of interest in their off-road vehicles since the start of the year.

In Toyota's case, the RAV4 SUV became its most popular model in terms of sales enquiries, dislodging the Yaris hatchback from its usual number one spot even before the recent recall crisis.

Motoring experts believe the rehabilitation of the 4x4 has been prompted by the freezing conditions at the year's start.

Philip Gomm, spokesman for the RAC Foundation, said: "It

appears the current high fuel prices and reinstatement of VAT at 17.5 per cent have been outweighed as considerations by a fear of the weather."

Neil Greig, policy and research director of the Institute of Advanced Motorists, suggested that rather than pushing people to become more environmentally conscious, the extremes of weather were forcing them to consider more practical models.

"Ironically, the biggest casualty of the last few weeks could be the government's green agenda. All the figures and surveys seem to be pointing to an increase in sales."

Environmental group Friends of the Earth accused the government of undermining its own green agenda by failing to include incentives to buy cars with smaller engines as part of its scrappage scheme for older vehicles.

"They needed to actively push car owners towards environmentally friendly cars by offering incentives to buy them and this failure, combined with the winter weather, has contrived to boost 4x4 sales," a spokesman said.

For long-term owners of off-road vehicles, the weather justified their decision to stick with the models, despite courting public disapproval.

Selina Clinch, 34, who lives in Edinburgh, has owned several Jeep Cherokees, mainly for towing a horse box: "I can understand the previous antipathy if you're using them in the city, but this winter the 4x4 really came into its own."

The president of the AA, Edmund King, agreed. "For many people living in the more remote areas with ungritted roads, a good 4x4 or snow chains are the only real option.

"There are some good smaller, fuel-efficient four-wheel drive cars now on the market so the increase in sales is not necessarily bad for vehicle emissions."