Comperable fuel economy isn't quite the right way to put it, and smaller cars is most certainly wrong (or at the very least, using some heavy, heavy spin).

You are right though, that SUV's aren't the only vehicles with fuel economy. However, how many hyper-wasteful sports cars and limousines do you see in a typical day? SUVs, on the other hand, are still commonplace. As for sedans and wagons, they still tend to be better, unless it's considerably smaller, and lacking a couple of cylinders. For example, the Ford Fusion with the six cylinder is rated for 21/29mpg, while the six-cylinder Escape (with FWD) only gets 20/24 (I don't know if the low highway economy is because of gearing or aerodynamics, I'll admit the city rating is fairly close).

And, I think the only reason you'll see fewer SUVs on the road is because people will eventually get fed up with them, the way gas prices are going (everyone's ego has a price).

And I find it interesting that you actually bring up the ability to see nature. I'd wager I've driven further offroad in a regular car than about 90% of SUV drivers.