The SUV Trend was caused by the death of the RWD cars. As they killed one car line off, the loyald buyers of that line would split. Some would wimp out and get FWD cars of the same make. Others would go for one of the remaining RWD models of that make. Yet others said screw it, and just bought trucks.
Look at the jump in Truck, Van, & SUV sales when GM killed the mid size RWD's in 87 & 88.
In 1990 you could only get RWD Cars from GM in either Full Size, Pony (Camaro/TransAm) or Sports Car (Corvette). 10 Years later it was down to two. The Pony & the Sports car. In Erly 2004 it was just one.
Beleive me, if Women didn't like RWD cars & trucks, you wouldn't see soccer mom's driving 8 lug Suburbans. Charles