How much of this is because because emission standards in the US reward heavier vehicles, and vehicles over 3.5t get tax benefits and skew the market in the opposite direction than in most (all?) other countries?
If money mattered you can look at the toyota corolla for much less than the cheapest f150.
Heavily vehicles may be cheaper for whatever reason you cite. But they are still much more expensive than smaller sedans. People still buy the heavier vehicles.
The emissions standards reward larger vehicles that generally start around $35k-$40k. Americans just love going immediately underwater on a $100k Grand Wagoneer.