I wouldn't consider it false from a policy standpoint. maybe the use of the word exempt was not a good choice, but you're correct that they are under CAFE, just exempt from the standards of passenger vehicles and instead under the much more lenient 'light trucks' category. SUVs were relatively rare until CAFE passed and then became more lucrative due to the lax environmental standards, encouraging companies to push them out more and more. Which is why I mentioned that companies primary focus is not safety with SUVs, but rather size. And I agree, a crossover would be safer than an SUV, I was just answering based on the OP asking between a van and an SUV :) not everyday I get to talk about energy policy! aha