It's because they block the view ahead (for me). Same with trucks and SUVs, but minivans are typically pretty boxy and thus block the view quite efficiently. I

It's because they block the view ahead (for me). Same with trucks and SUVs, but minivans are typically pretty boxy and thus block the view quite efficiently. In the Bay Area at least, I typically see more Prius drivers staying in the left lane (working that HOV lane pass?) going the speed limit or otherwise slower than drivers in lanes to the right of them. In the Midwest, it would tend to be more minivan and truck drivers doing this. Midwesterns also seem to prefer larger vehicles. I'm personally sick of driving vans but admit that they can be practical. However, for hauling 1-2 people >99% of the time, a small sedan makes much more sense to me. I've fit a queen bed frame + a passenger, and camping + living supplies for 10 days of burning man for 2 people in an 8th gen Civic, so I don't generally buy the "I really need a large vehicle" arguments. I also much prefer something like a BMW 5 series or a Volvo for road trips. Vans are not the worst for them, but the unsupportive seats, dead steering feel, poor performance, and otherwise joyless driving dynamics suck a lot of the life from a trip for me.