The US / Canadian market is different and price level is different (regardless of exchange rate). Not to justify it, simply to state the facts.

In general, people want what is rare or different. Underseat first aid kits and fire extinguishers (more common here) are sought after in the US or Canada (I have a spare for sale BTW). I liked my manual / cloth seats, but leather has a nice feel and smell. Power seats are overkill if you think about it. You play around and eventually find your setting and leave it / put it in memory and then seldom move them again. Heated seats are nice to have, if you live in a place with real change of seasons.

If you want simplicity, lower weight - then I agree - fewer options are better. That's why I like my manual 3.0 diesel WITHOUT deluxe stereo, DSP, GPS, Nav, Sirius, sun roof, roof rails, etc.