I also think US (ex)urban planning has a lot to do with it as well. It's influenced by/influences the extra hauling capacity of the over-large median US househo

I also think US (ex)urban planning has a lot to do with it as well. It's influenced by/influences the extra hauling capacity of the over-large median US household vehicle(s), the extra square feet of available/dedicated storage space inside homes, etc. I have friends that "need" big SUVs if only for their Costco/Sam's Club trips. Whose homes by square foot would be palatial mansions and palaces to royalty of many previous generations, but are cookie-cutter one of hundreds in over-vast neighborhoods full of them, with rooms dedicated to bulk goods storage. It's a fascinating world.