All this is true, but I feel there is a very strong resistance to buying a minivan or wagon in a large percentage of the US driving population. Many of them would do much better in a wagon, or even a hatchback, but they justify their purchase with a once or twice a year use of the vehicles capability.
If that use involves getting somewhere or being stuck for a couple of days, fine. But just not wanting to rent a truck one day a year? There are people who have a need, and can quite reasonably justify the purchase of a big, frame built SUV or Pickup, my own feeling is, it isn't more than half the market.

Example, guy at work bought a newish Envoy 6 months ago, used the rear hatch for the first time this week. Even considered borrowing the company van because he "didn't want to get the carpet dirty."
Other than that, he has used it for nothing more than driving himself back and forth to work. We've had a crappy Winter, but he could have had as easy a ride in a FWD car with Winter tires. If he had wanted AWD, he could have had it for the same price in a vehicle that would give much better mileage.
Just from talking to people round here that have them, it's about half image, and half perceived safety.
Every time we have a big dump of snow after a clear patch, a significant portion of the accidents are SUV's
Those people have bought into the marketing and don't realize that the extra abilities of their SUV,s don't compensate for their lack of skill.

As I said, some people need these vehicles, too many of them don't.