Women 'prefer men in eco-friendly cars'

GIRLS go for men with "green" cars rather than those with gas-guzzlers, according to a survey.

More than half of women reckon drivers of expensive sports cars are arrogant, the poll from Motors.co.uk found.

But many women, and men too, found drivers of eco-friendly cars such as the Nissan Leaf and Toyota Prius to be conscientious, intelligent and safe motorists.

The survey of 2,000 UK adults showed that 48% of men were convinced that an expensive car made them more attractive to the opposite sex.

But 53% of women labelled drivers of expensive sports cars as arrogant , while 44% considered them self-centred and 38% reckoned they were a danger on the roads.

Men appeared none too keen on drivers of off-road vehicles, with 34% considering 4x4 vehicle drivers to be arrogant and 29% reckoning they were rude.

Women felt saloon car owners of such vehicles as the Ford Mondeo, Renault Megane and Volkswagen Passat were likely to be hard-working and safe motorists, while hatchback owners were seen as modest.

The most popular car colour was black.

Motors.co.uk commercial director Phil Jones said: "Our survey provided an interesting snapshot into how people perceive car drivers, with the bad-boy sports car stereotype still holding true.

"The disparity between men and women suggests that the yummy mummy 'Chelsea tractor' stereotype might be having a similar effect on men as sports cars appear to be having on women."

By Peter Woodman, Press Association Transport Correspondent