What Car? Q&A - When will band G road tax go up?

Q: When is 4x4 car tax going up to £400, please?
Reg Busby

A: It's not just a tax on 4x4s, Reg - the tax increase will affect any car in VED band G.

Band G cars are those that emit 226g/km of carbon dioxide or more. This incorprates thousands of different vehicles, from hot hatches to MPVs and luxury cars.

Any band G car registered after March 2006 currently costs £300 to tax, but it will increase to £400 in March 2008.

Don't assume that all 4x4s automatically fall into this tax band, though. Log on to www.dft.gov.uk/actonco2 and you can find plenty that are cheaper to tax and run.

Petrol versions of the Suzuki SX4 compact off-roader fall into band D, while diesel versions are in band E, along with other models including the BMW X3, Fiat Sedici, Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Suzuki Jimny, Mitsubishi Outlander and Jeep Compass.

Band D cars cost £140 a year and band E cars £165. Both of these costs will increase by £5 a year over the next two years.

Even large off-roaders can avoid the dreaded band G. Models such as the Hyundai Sante Fe, Lexus RX, Kia Sorento and Volvo XC90 slip into band F.

This costs £205 this year and will also increase by £5 in 2008 and another £5 in 2009.