SUV

aka Sport Utility Vehicle (should be called Suburb Utility Vehicle)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sport_utility_vehicle

designed as a more manly Mini Van

They're excluded from CAFE standards. Well, not quite, but they have a lower standard because they're treated like "category 1" trucks.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Truck_classification

They have lousy safety records.

Basically, they get away with crap because they're categorized like commercial light trucks.

Why is this allowed to continue when they account for 50% of USA AutoMobile sales?

Sept'2006 - Tim Bray on Mini Van-s vs SUV-s