I think the cause is in the article:

> The general derision roomy vehicles sometimes receive from car enthusiasts or urbanists is silly, and can evince a cluelessness about the needs of families.

This derision ended up with vehicles getting various bad reputations. This caused people to avoid the vehicle that was best for them so they went to the least bad option that didn't have a bad reputation: SUVs.

I think a lot of people would be better served by a station wagon or minivan.