What is the point of them?

The obvious point is that they are higher off the road giving easier access and better visibility. 

You might also get good load space, better ground clearance and 4wd. 

At my age, sitting higher up in an SUV makes it easier to get in and out and commanding a better view of the road is an added bonus.

Actually, more SUV's are two wheel drive than 4WD nowadays.

That’s why I said “might”. 👍🏻

Even the 4 wheel drive are generally only part time 4 wheel drive 

.... but can drive all four within milliseconds when needed.

You get more weight with AWD suv

Smaller SUVs' are just small cars on stilts and usually 2wd, benefit is getting in and out for the less agile amongst us.

The larger SUVs' have the same ease of getting in/out, similar commanding view of the road and surroundings, usually comes with a better noseweight figure, and of course 4wd for stability, Also usually a higher kerbweight figure.

The fact they’re in between for me is the good thing, I’ll be in the market for a down size from my pickup soon. A std car is too much of a change  & I need to be off the roads but not serious off road. So I’m researching SUV’s as an in between👍🏻😊

The higher seat can be an advantage. I have a smallish one. 2005 X-Trail. I have a friend who is very bad with Parkinsons. He can just about able to move around his home very slowly using a Rollator. If I need to take him anywhere I use the X-Trail. He can get his bum on the seat with some shuffling around to turn and getting hold of the car door and I can then lift his legs in one at a time. Also he is more able to get out. He did go down on one occasion and whilst I was able to ease his fall we had to await assistance to get him back on his feet. 

Also last year an elderley chap fell on site walking across a grass area. I went across gathering assistance from 3 fellow campers and two of us helped him up whilst a third put a chair in place. We all had a natter and then I brought the X-Trail to drive him back to his caravan. He promised to use his stick next time.

(Nice chap about 84 and he sent a bottle of wine round the next evening and so I went round and we shared a glass and a 90 minute chat). Rarely use the auto 4 wheel drive but do on occasion and I have probaby used 4 wheel lock about 4 times in 13 years.