Why are minivans so expensive? New sienna at its base model is like 35k! And I bet insurance for that is through the roof! You could get a new tacoma trd offroad plus taxes and it would still probably be under that.
Do you want to move people or do you want to go off road? The minivan seats more passengers. More passengers = more seats. More seats = more seat belts, seat rails, folding mechanisms, etc. etc. etc. It is also a MUCH roomier vehicle and bigger overall.
You're comparing apples to oranges. Minivans are expensive because they move large groups of people/equipment in comfort and safety.
American Minivans have set at price formula as they will cost <$50,000 for the highest trim but rarely touch it.
Thats why you buy used. My parents got a Honda Odyssey with 10k miles for $15,000, 1/3 of the msrp price.
They have lots of different mechanisms and seat and safety features etc. technology so obviously a larger vehicle of that class would cost more.
