Most Americans buy insanely large SUVs or pickup trucks as their family car though, for that 1 time a year they need to tow something or possibly carry something big.
I'd rather not spend all my money on a rapidly depreciating asset that harms the environment around me, is hard to park, and runs the risk of running over children because I can't see them over the hood... but what do I know. Apparently supporting car alternatives is being "opposed to progress" in this country.
> Most Americans buy insanely large SUVs or pickup trucks as their family car though, for that 1 time a year they need to tow something or possibly carry something big.
Myth that SUVs have big baggage space is a just that, a myth. Most of them have essentially less space than normal cars with similar usage pattern. Station wagons, vans and many other are better in this regards and also are safer for users and pedestrians alike.
We are talking about crossovers here, which are all almost universally modeled after the Outback, the only station wagon brand that is still actually producing cars.
Slightly raised car like vehicles with a full fold down back row, I can and have moved regular sheet ply in one.
That's regional. The most popular SUVs are slightly raised sub-compacts (cross overs), where I live most people still have sedans (mostly sub-compact or compact).
You can get really popular as the one guy/girl with a pickup who people can call on to help them move that one time a year. I know someone who met his wife that way.
When I haul lumber—small homeowner amounts, not construction crew amounts—I always use my bike because with my bike trailer I can haul lumber of any length, while it's not safe to use my car for anything longer than 8 feet.
Believe it or not I've seen it done with a burly e-bike and custom made bike trailer. I've even seen someone hauling a 12" tall potted tree on a trailer, and that was back before e-bikes were a thing.
Not that I'm arguing it's super practical, but it's kind of neat that there are open possibilities for those who are determined and creative.
You're not going to haul lumber or sheet metal in a cargo bike, and that's the easy case.