[discodave]

You just listed 3 choices, which range in size, weight and likelyhood of killing pedestrians. I.e. a minivan fits more people, but is smaller than some of the massive trucks I see driving around.

I knew a family growing up that had six kids, so 8 person household, they had a minivan (Toyota Tarago).

A modern SUV would likely be a) heavier b) have worse blind spots, and c) has a higher front bumper, so worse impact if you hit a pedestrian.

The "I didn't have a choice" argument is almost always a logical fallacy.

[echelon]

> You just listed 3 choices, which range in size, weight and likelyhood of killing pedestrians

One answer is to not have pedestrians. As the suburbs do.

Not everybody wants to live in a city or can live in a city.

> I knew a family growing up that had six kids, so 8 person household, they had a minivan (Toyota Tarago).

Unlike pickup trucks, SUVs are fantastic for hauling both children and assorted cargo. Unlike minivans, they're great at handling a variety of driving conditions: gravel, dirt, ice/snow, inclines. They're also fun to drive and don't make it feel like the next sixteen years of your family's life is just dedicated to the brood.

[joe5150]

Many people move to the suburbs nominally so that their kids can safely walk, bike, and play in the streets. Obviously the actual built environment of the suburbs doesn't remotely support this supposed goal, but the idea that suburbs "don't have pedestrians" is not true or even desired.

[m0ped]

> One answer is to not have pedestrians. As the suburbs do.

That's such and absurd suggestion I'm surprised you felt it worth writing, not to mention there are still plenty of pedestrians even in the suburbs.

[vel0city]

Minivans often have AWD varieties these days and its not like all SUVs have it. Other than "inclines" which I doubt most family cars ever see challenging ones, a minivan probably performs similarly to most SUVs on the market when it comes to gravel, dirt, ice/snow when equipped with the right tires.

[pkolaczk]

If one could only buy minivans these times. If you're in Europe, you're out of luck. There is an outdated Sharan/Alhambra with tech from 2015 and tiny TSI engine with whopping 14s 0-100 km/h acceleration. And a bit more modern Ford Galaxy. Or you can buy a minivan from USA, but 99% of them are after huge accidents. And that's basically it. So people buy SUVs.

[vel0city]

A modern van versus that older Tarago would also at least be a) heavier b) have worse blind spots c) probably have a higher front bumper.