Sales of SUVs have surged to a record high as Australians enjoy the best car affordability in 40 years.
They made up 35 per cent of all vehicle sales in February.
This was the highest proportion of the overall vehicle market in the 21-year history of monthly Australian Bureau of Statistics figures.
CommSec chief economist Craig James said consumers were increasingly embracing SUVs because of their practicality as free-trade agreements also made cars cheaper from Japan, South Korea and Thailand.
"SUV sales are at record highs," he said.
"SUVs have greater versatility, a higher driving position, four-wheel drive and the ability to carry more passengers."
Australia vehicle sales grew by 2.9 per cent in February to 95,737, with 33,516 SUVs sold.
But St George senior economist Hans Kunnen said fears of a weakening Australian dollar may have been behind the sales increase.
Meanwhile, car affordability is at the best level since 1975, with a Ford Falcon costing 24.2 weeks of average wages, CommSec calculations show.
The Hyundai ix35 was Australia's most popular SUV in February, followed by the Mitsubishi ASX and Nissan's Qashqai.
But the Toyota Corolla and Mazda3 were Australia's most popular cars.
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