If you compare an european style SUV with a sedan / station wagon with similar interior volume, you will notice that the SUV is shorter, and thus easier to park

If you compare an european style SUV with a sedan / station wagon with similar interior volume, you will notice that the SUV is shorter, and thus easier to park, offers better visibility to the driver, feels roomier, and while less aerodynamic, is actually lighter, so there’s not much increased fuel consumption. Those are reasons why consumers might prefer those types of cars.