2006 Honda Ridgeline Preview

I've been waiting for it to grow on me since the SUT (Sport Utility Truck) Concept was introduced last year, but it hasn't.

I arrived at Honda's press conference too late to get a decent photo, only able to squeak this one through a sea of journalists and hangers-on by holding the camera way up high and shooting "blind" towards the stage. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

Walking past it over and over during the three days dedicated to the press days, two were parked on a pedestal just inside of the main show doors so it was difficult to miss them, didn't warm my feelings for it one iota.

After the vehicle's launch, which I couldn't get near as I hung around the Hyundai booth too long trying to get close enough to the new Sonata to take a decent photograph, and due to that was last in line to get a Ferrari press kit before saying a few words to the Italian automaker's North American head of PR, a twice yearly crusade I go on in hopes of one day getting invited to Maranello to test anything red.

Sadly, I not only didn't get an immediate invitation to Maranello but also still didn't feel any internal pull towards the Honda show stand other than a morose curiosity, similar to slowing down while driving by an accident on

"The Honda Ridgeline delivers all the capabilities of a truck with none of the traditional truck trade-offs," touted vice president of American Honda Dick Colliver. (Photo: Honda Canada)

the highway to see if anyone got hurt. When I finally arrived, the Ridgeline intro was in full swing and executive vice president of American Honda Dick Colliver was touting the benefits of the truck's hidden trunk, an industry first that would be copied by all truck-makers.

"The truck market is evolving and we think Ridgeline is at the leading edge of the trend," said Colliver. "The Honda Ridgeline delivers all the capabilities of a truck with none of the traditional truck trade-offs. It combines Honda innovation, Honda engineering and Honda's commitment to environmental and safety leadership in a next generation truck package."