I know the arms race is not a good thing, but I also don't want to lose it. Just imagine a head in collision between these two.

Yep. When I have to use a grappling hook and rappelling gear just to get in the truck, I'm not going to find it practical...

this thing looks terrible to actually work with, hauling trailers or trucks, heavy loads in bed as well as off road? doubt

I am a fragile piece of human, and I have slammed into a bull moose before.

I'm an intact fragile piece of human because I was in a Toyota Tundra, a Japanese truck.

Get the vehicle that suits your needs and tastes.

The most important thing for me in a car is safety, and clearly a car that small without a front engine will have much higher injury/mortality rate in a crash.

Agreed though that excessively boosted cars are dumb, and probably most people who drive a truck don't need one in the first place.

This is a thorough and accurate assessment. If you include the "van" type vehicle, which is essentially the same as the little truck with a roof, you get the added benefit of being able to lock your goods and tools away. And then there's THIS.

I'm in Tokyo right now, and absolutely nobody drives a big truck. I would estimate 80% of cars in the city have 660cc engines.

they both seem too large, are there any smaller ones?

Tows 7500lbs less if anything and I can still seat my family and friends. You are more apt to compare this to a van if you want an actual comparison. But you don't.