Pickup trucks are also tougher than the average car, which can protect you from a head-on collision with another vehicle. However, I'm not sure on the side. With a truck, transporting heavy objects is much easier, smoother and less tiring for the vehicle. This is because trucks have a lot of torque, which greatly improves their towing capacity.
Basically, the ability to tow heavy loads is what makes a van great. You could probably fill the back of your car with mulch or sand for a gardening project, as long as you never plan to use that car again.
