OK let me take you back in time. It was the Ford Explorer introduced in 1992 that coined the term SUV. Sure there were trucks before it like the Landcruiser, Montero, Cherokee etc but they didn't have the car like creature comfort features, they were 4x4s pure and simple built for a purpose. They weren't designed to be kids haulers.
Ford Explorer changed all that and was followed by many other manufacturers. Interestingly enough people that were buying thinking that their kids were safer riding big trucks were unfortunately wrong. They were more dangerous than a normal car. Explorer and 4Runners were notorious for rolling-over due to high center of gravity and body-on-frame contruction that they inherited from their 4x4 heritage. As the public fascination grew more and more companies started offering bigger and more car like trucks.
Now we're to the point where a 6500lbs Expedition is considered a normal sized truck. Of course, that wasn't big enough so Ford gave the public the 9000lbs Excursion that gives 9mpg. GM couldn't resist the urge so they did one better by giving the soccer moms Humvys to drive to the grocery stores and malls. I can't remember the last time I saw these ghetto mobiles occupied by more than 2 people at a time...even 2 people is quite rare.
But wait there more...the public wasn't getting enough of this big monsterosity so they started buying big pickup trucks for daily drivers. I mean real trucks that are built for hauling lumber and dirt! why ? I have no clue, of course, that wasn't enough either so they started putting lift-kits on these things to make them 5-9 inches taller. Now their bumpers are aiming perfectly at the heads of the people riding in passenger cars in front of them. Literally sitting at the same height as the eighteen wheelers. With such high center of gravity I'm surprised they don't roll-over at every on/off ramp. What's next ? buying and modifying delivery trucks like the Pepsi commercial with P. Diddy hints at ?
Personally, I don't care if anyone wants to buy an SUV or a truck for a legitimate reason but that's not how it is out there. Its all about getting the biggest car you can buy, sporting gangster 22" DUBs, blacking out the windows, grills, etc and then zipping in and out of the traffic with no regard for other people who may be carrying small children.
All I'm saying is that if you really need an SUV/truck then I'm sure you'll accept the fact that you'll be paying $120 to fill up the 30 gallon tank on your SUV every week that gives 15mpg.
http://money.cnn.com/2005/08/31/news...ices/index.htm
Goodluck!