Well I’ll answer for myself.
i got a really good deal on a used truck in my price range. At 6’6” I don’t fit in most vehicles and I didn’t have more than about 10000 to spend so I was limited in my options.
I had just gotten in a nasty accident (stopped at a red light and hit by a guy going 40) which totaled my previous truck so I wanted a big vehicle to be safe.
while I don’t need the truck feature most of the time.it super useful when desired. I liked being the guy who helped people move furniture or rocks and stuff. Now I move dirt and other house project things a couple of times a year so the truck feature is handy without needing 30 minute commute to the airport to rent one for the day:
my commute was half a mile so the gas wasn’t a big issue at the time.
if I had a significant commute I would probably be swapping for something more gas efficient.