You jest, but cars absolutely are a modern status symbol. To the point where getting a better car is the first thing the average American does when they make enough money to jump up a class. It’s woven into the fabric of our society.

From the perspective of middle going to upper class, fuel economy is a staple of the class that still worries about paying for gas.

I know its easy pickings to make fun of those that treat a sled dog like a show dog. And to have a utility vehicle and/or a luxury vehicle is fine. But everything about the design is conflicted between utility and fun. I got a rental ford flatbed truck, it was a weird experience. To me it’s cabin felt more like a toy than a utility truck but the bed was no frills. It was very capable to get its (mild to moderately difficult) task done. The cabin played an electricity sound effect when opening/closing the doors. It confused me multiple times into thinking the thing had an electrical short. I must have failed to recognize that it’s actually the car refilling its flux capacitor. (its fine to have luxury, but gimmicks are an odd thing to put into this identity crisis of a light truck.)