Yeah they do get a somewhat overzealous helping of shade. Sometimes it's more of a "pile on" effect than actually deserved. But I literally think Tsubi "pajero" ruined everything forever with their cynical naming. Leopard. Yeah, right.
Except your minivan can haul things, your suv is barely better than a car.
Kind of ... the seats in the SUV fold down and I haul stuff in there too. You're right that it isn't as big an open space.
More importantly, the SUV will haul my (small) yacht but it's a strain on the mini-van.