Women more likely to drive off-road vehicles than men

A new study has revealed the changing preferences when it comes to the type of vehicles driven by men and women.

According to research by insurance giant Aviva, women are now more likely to be found behind the wheel of large off-road vehicles than men - who are increasingly favouring smaller runarounds.

The statistics suggest that this is in complete contrast to a few decades ago, when it reportedly would be less common for women to drive an off-road vehicle or approach a 4x4 hire company.

Explaining the new trend, Aviva's head of car insurance, Heather Smith, claimed it had a lot to do women being increasingly expected to balance work and family life.

She told The Daily Express: "As families' lives become more complex, with two working parents and children needing to be dropped off at school, it appears multi-tasking mums need a vehicle fit for both work and family life - but costs and fuel efficient and increasingly important to dad."

As part of its research, Aviva drew up a list of the top 10 most popular vehicles in the UK today. A report from Mail Online pointed that family saloons were noticeably absent from the list, despite once being a staple of a nuclear family.