I love my SUV. It isn't a huge one (xterra), but it has lots of cargo space for karate gear (2 kids doing this) AND groceries all at once. And for trips everything fits easily in the back. We even pull the retractable cover over the luggage and throw the jackets/pillows/blankets over the top and as needed throughout the trip (in winter weather especially) everything is easily accessible, but no one has to sit on top of any of it.
And living rurally, where everywhere we go we need to hop on interstate 95 for at least 10 miles, it is nice to be in something that doesn't get blown around by the semi-trucks that are all over the interstate.
It is so much easier to drive (to me) than my husband's mazda 3. His car is fun, but I am more comfortable being able to SEE better. :)
We also live 20 minutes from the beach, and it is sweet to be able to rinse off the kids' boogie boards and throw them into the back still wet, along with the beach chairs, the cooler and whatever else...sometimes the dog. :)