The jury is still out on them. I agree with what you said, they're not very functional and stick out too far. My wife is concerned that because she has to step further out that they might be a hazard for her in the winter if the parking lot is icy, unless she uses the step somehow. A handle on the A pillar would be nice in that regard.
I do like that they help protect the body a little from the doors on other vehicles, and as you said, may act as a mudguard, but the best use I've found for them so far is to help reach the top of the vehicle when washing/waxing it. Time will tell if they get pulled off though.
I do like that they help protect the body a little from the doors on other vehicles, and as you said, may act as a mudguard, but the best use I've found for them so far is to help reach the top of the vehicle when washing/waxing it. Time will tell if they get pulled off though.