The SUV it’s ok to love: 66mpg and a doddle to park

When environmentalists and road safety campaigners criticise 4X4s, in most part they are objecting to “Chelsea tractors”; the unnecessarily large and heavy off-road cars used primarily in urban areas, and not four-wheel drive city cars like the 66mpg Nissan Carol.

Four-wheel drive may add weight to a car, but it is an undeniable aid to safe driving in slippery conditions and in the case of the 660cc Nissan Carol it is combined with electronic brake distribution and fuel-efficient continuously variable transmission (CVT).

Small in size, large on features

Even though it is small and relatively modest in appearance, the £7,800 Nissan Carol is packed with features normally found only on more expensive models: keyless entry, keyless start, four-wheel ABS and wing mirror heaters all come as standard.

A spokesperson for the Environmental Transport Association (ETA) said: “The Nissan Carol suggests that tough regulations do not stifle the creativity of car makers, quite the opposite in fact.”

Why can’t I buy a Nissan Carol in this country?

The Carol is classed in Japan as a ‘Kei car’; vehicles restricted in size, engine displacement and power in order to bypass tax and insurance regulations and certain areas the requirement that parking is available for the vehicle.

These regulations rather than customer demands gave birth to the Kei car class, and we are unlikely to see similar cars here unless car manufacturers have their hands are forced in the same way. For despite Britain’s love affair with the mini and the rising popularity of smaller vehicles, the only high-spec cars available to buy here are the two-seater Smart car and the excellent Toyota iQ.

City-friendly SUVs

The Land Rover Discovery 3, a popular 4×4 in some urban areas, weigh 2,740kg – over three-and-a-half times more than the 700kg Daihatsu Basket concept car.

A combination of low kerb weight and an efficient three-cylinder, 660cc engine delivers an impressive 70.6mpg.

The ‘Basket’ seats four, has a removable roof canopy and the rear seats that fold flush to create a pick-up configuration.

City cars such as these could redefine the SUV (sports utility vehicle) for city dwellers who want the flexible load space and lifestyle associations of an off-road vehicle, but have no need for four-wheel drive and want to significantly reduce the environmental impact of their motoring.