[acdha]

Most of the things you mentioned only benefit the car owner, and they can choose to adjust them based on their need and budget.

This is about the cost to other people for your choices: if you buy an SUV, you get the positive effect of feeling more macho but the people whose health is at greater risk as a direct consequence of that decision aren’t consulted. This kind of thing allows those communities to provide the negative feedback required to keep a system stable.

[Zpalmtree]

You're clearly not arguing in good faith when you suggest the only reason people buy an SUV is to feel macho. You know women own them too?

[acdha]

Yes, for the same reasons – the desire to feel strong and powerful isn’t exclusive to men! That product class has a higher profit margin so car companies have been running a marketing campaign for decades promoting them as powerful, safe, etc. to get buyers to pay extra.