I have one friend with an old landrover but then he's a ranger in Scotland so does a lot of off-road driving.
Then I have several other friends who live in towns and use them for the school run and going to work. OK they have a couple of kids but - guess what - so do I and I can manage to fit mine in my Clio!! (just about...)
I do need a bigger car but what I actually need is storage space for bikes, pushchair and holiday gear, not seating, so I'm looking for an estate. Preferably diesel with a good fuel consumption. I don't do many miles a week and probably about twice a year I drive from the Midlands to Cornwall.
I really can't see the case for 4x4s other than in a rural off-road situation or a case like Anteater's. Let's face it, that's not the types of usage we get hot under the collar about. But in an urban scenario, on the school run? We've all been there. It's a nightmare trying to walk to school on narrow pavements down one way streets with the boody things not only driving down the road but also parked on both sides so you can't see to cross until the very last minute.
And yes they are more dangerous if you hit someone. A lot of posters have gone about the 'high driving position' and 'better visibility' - for seeing the end of the road, maybe, but not for seeing the toddler who's about to run out between two more of the great gas guzzlers parked on the side of the road.
I'm sorry but in urban situations I think they are just not on. I agree they are 'fxxx off' cars, just like gated communities are 'fxxx off' houses.
But that's another subject....