Not true.

OVerall your chances of being killed tend to be lowest in full-size sedans -- you're definitely better off in a Lexus ES400 than a Lexus SUV. Some SUVs may be better on impact tests than some full-size cars (usually not by a lot), but, the better handling, shorter stopping distance, etc. of cars makes you significantly less likely to get into a wreck in the first place. Likewise, minivans usually beat SUVs for safety.

But I don't disagree that the *perception* of safety is important to the soccer mom demographic. I recall when National Geographic did a story on oil last year, they included a picture of an upscale soccer mom type with two little blond boys in her driveway with their shiny Hummer.

Her comment, "I feel good knowing that WHEN I bump into things, I win"

My response, "Learn to freakin' drive!!!"

My girlfriend's response, "She'll win also when she backs over one of those boys because she see what the hell is behind her". And in fact, I've seen a couple of news reports since of people backing over their kids in their driveway with the big SUV, because they didn't see them...