Perhaps the world is becoming an uglier place and the Multipla is merely being caught up. I was in traffic behind some model or other of a new Merc A class last week which had a truly offensive rear end. It was, by any standards, a dog.
I'll second that.
When it first came out, it did stand out among all the 'boring' looking cars on the roads, but now I reckon it doesn't look so odd, when you consider some of the things that are out there.
I don't think the Multipla is ugly by the way - love the shape and detailing, of the roundnose at least. If it is 'ugly', then it's ugly with a purpose.
I'm not a real car-'lover' by a long way, so I don't really care what they look like, as long as they do what I need.
You can't see it when you're driving anyway, you just enjoy the slightly elevated view through those massive windows.