I drive a 2004 Chevy Suburban...it's a little rough around the edges, but you sit up high, have a great view of the road, it can haul a ton of my crap to the camp and it is heavy truck which gives me the edge in a collision.
Your comments about today's vehicles being 'low-slung' with little protection are right on the money. I'll take a big tank any day, even if it does use a little more go juice.
-wilma