The overtly large SUV from Mercedes Benz (ML class) I am currently piloting does bring some strengths and weaknesses.
I am not certain the generalisation that ALL drivers of SUV are aggressive self important monsters. This is the first one I have had and some of it was to find out what all the fuss is about and we also needed to move the M-i-L and they do offer useful space. I have never troubled the off-road ability beyond main road snow and some trotting about in grassed fields. I always loved having a decent estate (E-Class and an A6 model at various points) which combined most of those roles as well. I think there are issues with them that increase the intimidation factor which I myself noticed when I had the E-Estate.
I used to hate having one behind me even if it was not too close as it blocked my working rear vision with it's big flat front and width. This reduced my ability to predict and react (bikes filtering on the motorway for example) which annoyed me when they were behind. The headlight height can be annoying but the advent of better headlamps and selective lighting especially has improved this to a degree. I used to hate having one in front of me for much the same reason, limited view and reaction time.
I do find that the additional height and resulting driving position view does mean that I can predict problems earlier and so I am actually more relaxed in an SUV vs the E-Estate. However this is tempered with the fact that you need to be as 2.1 tons on stilts needs more room to maneuver so if anything you should leave a bigger gaps anyway. Especially in the snow and rain where mass has a mind of it's own when you are trying to swing or stop it! I think this is where I see the worst activities on the road, people with a better view will compromise other margins of safety such as reaction room to the car in front. When you combine this with the car in front finding it's rear view mirror going dark with the SUV's grill I can see why it is intimidating.
