There is no real need for an SUV.

-If you need to tow something or just carry a bunch of stuff, a pickup does it better.
-If you need to carry passengers or haul large amounts of stuff out of the elements, either a van or a wagon will do better. A RWD van can tow as much or more than most SUVs.
-If you need 4WD in winter, an all whell drive car is much more stable and a front wheel drive car with winter tires will out drive both a 4WD or an AWD with all-seasons.
-If you are concerned about safety, SUVs are prone to rollovers and their large mass can cause the roof to fail that way. Most midsize cars are safer in crash tests than SUVs. Older Ford Explorers, Chevy Blazers, and Ford 150s are all cars that are deemed poor. SUVs that are built on frames don't crumple the way a unitized car does and will transmit more of the force of an accident to the occupents.