Trucks or vans with 4x4 drive are pretty common in Mexico, Brazil, the middle east.
You're falling into the same trap that the article and GP's are highlighting: your experience that a FWD vehicle is enough "for me / my relatives" does not apply to this situation.
1) survival in animal / vehicle collusions with bears, deers, and moose
2) delivery of goods, including building material, animal feed, human food, etc
3) lack of even basic road infrastructure maintenance by government or municipality
4) "over prepared is only prepared", you're it, you're on your own
I lived for 20 years in a semi-rural area; you could certainly live for 99% of the time without a large cargo vehicle or 4x4. The other 1% you were chancing your life. Cargo and deliveries were certainly an issue though. Now just slide that ratio towards the middle.
You're falling into the same trap that the article and GP's are highlighting: your experience that a FWD vehicle is enough "for me / my relatives" does not apply to this situation.
1) survival in animal / vehicle collusions with bears, deers, and moose
2) delivery of goods, including building material, animal feed, human food, etc
3) lack of even basic road infrastructure maintenance by government or municipality
4) "over prepared is only prepared", you're it, you're on your own
I lived for 20 years in a semi-rural area; you could certainly live for 99% of the time without a large cargo vehicle or 4x4. The other 1% you were chancing your life. Cargo and deliveries were certainly an issue though. Now just slide that ratio towards the middle.