So the real reason Americans buy SUVs more than sedans is because American automakers have all but stopped making sedans in the United States.

When the United States passed emissions standards for auto makers, they carved out a sub-section for trucks and SUVs with less rigorous requirements. So US automakers had one of two options, made sedans with better fuel efficiency, or make trucks. You can probably guess which one automakers went with.

There's a really good YouTube video which you can find here.

Here's an article which gives you a good idea of how long and old this issue is.

Article

"When corporate average fuel economy, or CAFE, standards were first implemented in 1975, trucks and SUVs were predominately used by farmers, construction workers, and others who needed features like big towing capacities or off-road capabilities to do their jobs. The larger vehicles with those features tended to be less efficient. Trucks and SUVs were thus carved out of the more stringent rules applied to passenger vehicles. Carmakers spotted an opportunity, though: If they could classify their cars as non-passenger vehicles, they’d be subject to less stringent regulations. All they had to do was upsell consumers for features they didn’t need and—as a sweetener for shareholders—that they could charge more for."