People give you all sorts of responsible reasons for buying an SUV.

They feel safer because SUVs are larger and heavier. They feel taller than the other cars on the road and they like sitting up higher - maybe to feel like kings and queens on their thrones.

They need that powerful pulling capacity.

They want to have enough room to haul around 30 of their closest friends.

People absolutely must have that immense cargo room. After all, what if they spot that handcrafted armoire hanging out on someone's lawn - waiting for the garbage man?

The fact of the matter is people buy SUVs because they want them - and maybe for all the wrong reasons. SUVs are BIG. In our culture bigger seems to be better. Although the auto industry is hoping that all those tiny cars like the Honda Fit will sell like hot cakes.

They're also in style and not particularly "status specific". You don't need to be a millionaire to look like one for instance.

Americans are passionate about them - and the SUVs accept us back -exhibiting no particular preference towards male or female - hey there little lady just hop on in!

Maybe we can blame the advertisers for whetting the American appetite. Look at all those ads with beautifully toned men and women, bouncing around in their SUVs and conquering the wilderness. Don't you want to be tough, attractive, invincible to the elements? I sure would.

If you want an SUV you should get one - even if it's for all the "wrong" reasons. Just be sure you're listening to your own little voice and not the voice of everyone else around you.