OK, so what about vans? Most cab forward van designs are just a wall, and even vehicles like the Transit would be worse than most SUVs. Why aren’t we griping about those?
I know a few ute owners, I’ve never heard any of them mention safety as a reason for buying one. In the days of ANCAP safety ratings, it’s very easy to know exactly how safe a vehicle is.
The reasons people typically buy utes and SUVs is as a lifestyle vehicle, something that can carry sporting equipment, camping gear etc, go anywhere they want to go, and tow.
It’s also worth noting that some of the heaviest vehicles on the road are EVs, the difference in weight between a Leaf and a Ranger isn’t actually much.
I honestly think you’re barking up the wrong tree here.
Let’s look at some other weight specs, shall we?
https://www.drive.com.au/showrooms/ford/ranger/12db7674afb33e6a/ Baseline Ranger, less than 1.8 tonnes
https://www.dimensions.com/element/tesla-model-s Tesla model s, 2.2 tonnes
https://www.drivencarguide.co.nz/vehicle-profiles/byd-atto-3/ BYD atto, 1.8 tonnes.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rivian_R1S Rivian SUV, 3.5 tonnes, more than the GVM of some utes.
EVs are far heavier than an equivalent ICE vehicle.
There’s a parking machine on Dixon Street where someone has busted the solar panel, I wonder if it was the same person?