All good points here, Rich.
However, the thing about recent truck design that I find to be off-putting has more to do with the aesthetics of the bodywork.
Ya see, I've owned a 2000 Chevy Silverado for some ten years now, and I think it's better looking than any of the newer trucks I've seen since I've owned it.
And the reason I think so is that all these modern trucks from every manufacturer are so damn squared-off and extremely boxy looking, and without the nice subtle curves that my 2000 Silverado sports, and thus making them less aerodynamic in appearance than what I would think a vehicle designed to move through a mass of air should look like.
It seems as if the truck stylists now day think this boxy and squared-off look somehow gives the appearance of them being more "utilitarian" and yes, like you mentioned, somehow more "manly" I suppose.
(...yep, that's been MY gripe about the newer pickups for quite some time...I HATE the look of these newer boxy looking trucks)
