That might make sense to you, but more than likely you think it's definitely unreasonable. And you're probably right. The vast majority agrees with you! Take the car industry...I know designers say they come out with new and exciting products all the time, but usually it's what is expected. It's pretty similar to the year before with some improvements, etc. The evolution towards "future car" is quite slow and predictable.

But that doesn't mean there are never any exceptions! Every now and then something will show up in a new vehicle line up that is so different from everything else available that I find myself annoyed at it a little bit. My first reaction (however silly) is that I don't need that odd, new vehicle. Sometimes my obstinate nature is rewarded by the failure of the vehicle, but sometimes I'm dead wrong.

And I can admit when I'm wrong; no problem! So to prove it I'm here to note two vehicles that initially garnered my instant, knee jerk, negative reaction that are still around and still going strong: the Ridgeline and the Element. Both are manufactured by Honda and have developed quite a following!

At first I couldn't place the Ridgeline...car or truck? But as time went on I realized that even thought it went against the grain to accept it; most people don't have a great need for a truck in their lives. They might like the idea of a truck. They might like the traditional look of a truck. They might like to be able to throw a piece of furniture in the back now and then and cart it home from the store. But on the whole, on a day to day basis, they spent all their time in the cab. So the evolution of the truck offered by the Ridgeline is perfect for many. You get the opportunity to access the "bed of the truck" but you don't feel like you're driving in one for the rest of the time. It's perfect for many.

The Element was just so visually different from the other designs out that I found it disruptive. The curvy, sexy designs covering the road were pushed out of the way by the strong, boxy Element. But since when does a vehicle get punished for standing out from the crowd? That's a fabulous thing! And I'm ready to admit it.

Both the Honda Ridgeline and the Honda Element serve as examples of offering something this is actually new and different in an industry that seems to offer a lot of the same! Driver love having something unique and fun on the road and with the Ridgeline and the Element...they get to have just that.