2006 Honda Ridgeline Preview

But styling? Once the design leader among Japanese brands, Honda's production vehicles have become a quagmire of derivative

When I asked journalists and industry types about the Ridgeline's styling, not a single person thought it looked particularly good. (Photo: Honda Canada)

design ideas. When not copying Mercedes-Benz taillight designs in the Accord or Civic coupes, or mimicking the entire ML with its CR-V, its Accord sedan is frumpy, Pilot (yawn) so safe it doesn't really offer much individual personality at all, and at the other end of the spectrum, Element so radical that it offends those who appreciated the clean, understated lines of early Accord, Prelude and Civic designs.

I happen to like the Element, however, mostly because it's the one Honda that isn't afraid to be different. I also like the fact that it's not retro, but rather a space alien's PT Cruiser.

So where does the Ridgeline fit in? I made a point of asking a variety of other journalists and industry types that I ran into

If there truly is a butt for every seat then someone out there finds the new Accord gorgeous, Pilot dynamically drawn, and this Ridgeline of artistic merit. (Photo: Honda Canada)

while walking around Detroit's Cobo Hall show floor this week, and all I heard back was, "Did you see that nifty trunk hidden under the bed?" When I pushed about the styling, not a single person thought it looked particularly good.

I don't normally harp on styling, Infiniti's Kuraza concept excluded, as it seems best to let people decide for themselves what is acceptable from a design perspective. After all, if there truly is a butt for every seat then someone out there finds the new Accord gorgeous, Pilot dynamically drawn, and this Ridgeline of artistic merit. As if I have to ask, but please let me know why if you do.