> 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.