The Pontiac Aztek. The car has topped so many lists since its birth, and death. But, unfortunately, it never really topped a list for positive things. Pseudo awards the car has been graced with are “Ugliest Car Ever,” “Worst GM Vehicle Ever” and “The Vehicle That Killed Pontiac.”
It’s a shame, because the 2001 Pontiac Aztek promised so much as a full-time activity vehicle, but it was wrapped in a seriously unfortunate package. Thankfully, General Motors has moved onto greater things in the crossover market, despite moving forward without Pontiac.
But we’re almost just as thankful Motorweek dug this retro review of the 2001 Aztek from their archives.
The video nearly praised Pontiac’s efforts in the design department, and calls many of the engineering efforts successful in their approach, including the rear lift gate with built in seats and cup holders.
We’ve had some argue the Pontiac Aztek was merely a product engineered at the wrong time. Despite its looks, the concept is novel, and many manufacturers have taken a crack at creating a sport activity vehicle with much better results.
No matter, hearing the 2001 Pontiac Aztek receive such positive marks is almost humorous over ten years after its inception. Check it out for yourself down below.
Comments
The questions is must we?
Ahh, the Aztek – Mark Reuss’s Bill Buckner moment.
How he didn’t get sent off manage the Alleutian Islands operation is anyone’s guess.
They pretty much sent him to start the killing off of Holden manufacturing, instead!
I alway thought the Aztec was just too big. Had it been 25% smaller it woudn’t have looked so bad.
How has the Aztek remained the ugliest ever when there’s been car like the Honda element and Nissan cube since then. I don’t get it. The first gen element looked like an astro van had a love child with an aztek. All the cladding but drawn with a ruler.
This poor thing will be forever entrenched in our memories. R.I.P. poor things.
The Buick Rendervous is its sibling, which is more common, and I almost bought one. I have seem only one Pontiac Aztek and it isn’t ugly. Some imports are way uglier!! Now we have its younger siblings: Chevy Equinox, Pontiac Torrent, and GMC Terrain which are GM’s second best selling vehicles,and I have a 2009 Equinox.
Another example of GM ineptitude, because the original prototype for the Aztek was GORGEOUS. Ditto the original Volt concept. What are the odds that the Bolt concept will suffer the same fate?
I saw a Pontiac Aztek on the streets the other day. Pontiac and General Motors may have been ahead of game as to styling, much like Citroen was modern long before modern was popular. It was a crossover utility vehicle before the term even came into being.
Compare photos of the Aztek to the new Mercedes Benz GLA, the hideous BMW X6 “Sports Activity Coupe,” and the equally-hideous Lexus RX. Pontiac Aztek was a crossover pioneer!
The Aztek’s front turn signals were mounted high on the fenders. The headlights were positioned somewhat lower. The new Jeep Cherokee mimics that look.
The Aztek’s rear hatch had two panes of glass. The rear-most pane was vertical with a tint dark enough to make it look like a black panel. The second pane was closer to horizontal. Today, the slick Hyundai Veloster has the same scheme along with the Honda Crosstour.
The Pontiac Aztek was ugly when it was new. It remains so with its ugly face and fat ass (much like my old boss). The ugly car had ugly babies.