One of the great automotive success stories of the 1990s is the sport utility vehicle. Although occasionally reviled for its abysmal gas mileage, truck-like handling and iffy safety record, SUVs remained among the hottest selling vehicles well into the 21st century.

The car companies spend millions trying to understand exactly why buyers like these behemoths although they and everyone else know at least some of the reasons: they carry a lot, they’re versatile and their bulk lends a sense of security and invulnerability to the hazards of routine driving. …