mr72

I think a lot of it is that it's just a physically larger vehicle in every way. Bigger wheels and tires stock, wider track, wider body, longer wheelbase, etc. And bigger stuff to support the other bigger stuff ... bigger axles, heavier transmission (likely), shocks, springs, etc. all (likely) heavier.

And part of it is more "stuff" that is mandated by gov't or to a lesser extent, customer demand, like infotainment system and extra airbags, body bracing, etc.

But mostly it's due to design laziness. Weight of small things was allowed to be added without consideration for its collective impact on the weight of the vehicle, and they responded (eventually) with a much more powerful engine to compensate. But a bigger engine doesn't compensate for extra weight in a turn, or when braking, or when trying to jack the vehicle on the trail, trying to pull it out of a rut, preventing it from sinking in mud, the force with which it slides a tire sidewall across a sharp rock, etc. More weight is never, ever better in any vehicle.

DJ1

Add a supercharger if you do more offroading and call it a day...