A serious question. I see many 4 Runners on the streets and highways of Southern California. Those driving them seem to be enjoying themselves. Lots of wives going shopping and all sorts of folks.
I was forced to be in a 5th floor building room a few weeks ago, waiting for someone in th next room to come into the room I was in. While waiting, I viewed the shops below and saw all kinds of housewives skooting up in their 4 Runners and going and coming out of the stores.
I have the strong impression that very few of those driving the 4 Runners ever go "offroad". Yet in So Cal, one has to go to considerable lengths or distances to get to off-road driving conditions.
Why would they not drive "car based" SUV rather than a truck based SUV ? and particularly why would they drive the 4Runner when they have othe alternatives with "car based" SUV's.
My neighbor said that he actually preferred the truck based feeling of driving. He has a Ford Lightning truck and does not use it for traditional truck activities like hauling things around.
Could this truck based feel be relevant, or is there another set of reasons that would apply to the seeming general use of 4 Runners ?