AA Personal Loans, which conducted the research, found a 43 per cent rise in the number of people wanting cars that are less expensive to run.

But drivers in the capital are bucking the trend, despite the rising congestion charge and some local authorities threatening to charge higher parking fees for off-roaders.

Mark Huggins, of AA Personal Loans, said: “Britons are putting practicality and cost first, although Londoners appear to be bucking the trend.”

The findings of the study are surprising given the attempts to reduce the number of high-polluting vehicles on London's roads.

Opponents to urban 4x4s believe the vehicles have a negative impact both environmentally and socially.

Campaign group Alliance Against Urban 4x4s claimed “the most popular school-run gas-guzzlers” are the most dangerous to pedestrians.