Vans work just fine on mountain roads. And driving off road is simply not a thing for like 99% of drivers.

Reality is, people buy these things thinking they would drive them off road, and never actually do it.

It's possible to make an off-road van, by the way. It's just that real demand is so vanishingly small that you don't really see them.

Having grown up in the mountains, and currently living in a hilly snowy area, no thanks I'll keep my SUV. My in laws have a mini van, and it's not great.

I deal and have dealt with enough deep snow that would eat a van.

I still might get a Sienna Hybrid for daily commuter

He said Van, not mini van. I think you two are thinking of different vehicles.

I like sprinter vans, but they won't fit in my garage.

It also makes more sense for me to get a large SUV, as towing is important.

The SUV or Truck is still more capable in hazardous road/off-road conditions compared to the van.

Though in my current neck of the woods, a Sprinter would satisfy my needs well.

I can't take this comment seriously unless you are buying snow tires. If you have snow tires, and you still can't get where you want in the winter, sure get 4wd.

I had a RWD pickup with snow tires and went anywhere I wanted to through two utah winters and many vermont ones too.