Launched for the 2001 model year, the Pontiac Aztek is best known for its unconventional, almost experimental styling, drawing widespread criticism and quickly becoming something of a blemish on GM’s record. Despite the ire of the critics, the Aztek would go on to gain a niche fanbase that appreciates its unique look and adventurous design language. Now, more than two decades later, new renderings of a hypothetical next-generation Pontiac Aztek offer a glimpse into what a modern-day revival of this polarizing SUV might look like.
In the renderings, the Aztek’s iconic, rugged silhouette is reimagined with a bolder, more contemporary flair. The front end preserves the original’s two-tiered grille, but updates it with sharper lines and an aggressive, angular fascia that gives the SUV a more defined, muscular stance. The headlights are now slimmer and more integrated into the overall shape, creating a futuristic gaze that aligns with today’s design trends.
Moving to the side profile, the renderings keep the Aztek’s high beltline and pronounced wheel arches but modernize these elements with smoother, aerodynamic surfaces. The designers have retained the Aztek’s adventurous spirit by incorporating off-road-ready elements like roof rails and robust cladding, paying homage to its original purpose as a versatile, go-anywhere vehicle. Large alloy wheels complete the rugged look, adding to the vehicle’s visual stability and appeal.
At the rear, the rendered Aztek features a distinctive taillight design reminiscent of the original, with triangular housings that echo the past while embracing a futuristic aesthetic. The broad rear window contribute to a streamlined appearance, creating a balance between the Aztek’s classic utilitarianism and modern style cues.
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Although the first-generation Pontiac Aztek was less than successful, a new generation could actually gain some traction, particularly if it presented sleek styling like this rendering. Unfortunately, the Pontiac brand shows no signs of making a comeback, despite earlier reports to the contrary.
Are you a fan of this next-gen Aztek rendering? Let us know your thoughts by posting in the comments!
Comments
This looks FAR worse than the original. The original, interestingly, doesn’t look half bad any longer, due to all the copycat low-headlight designs going on, that I’m SO over, already. Originality, designers?
Something I never thought I would see, an Aztek design worse than the original. I used to pull up to people who had one and laughed at them.
sincere do not understand why people considered this an ugly car if has many worse of BMW, Audi, Mercedes Benz, Toyota, Lexus, GM, Ford Fiesta and Focus and other examples of bad design on streets, even Cadillac is not that beauty, Bentley, Aston Mastin, Ferrari and Rolls Royce also not, they lack many details or itens could have been better the approach
Took the Hyundai Intium and Pontiaced it.
The Aztec was ahead of it’s time. Have a friend who said best car ever.
If the automotive press is against you, you ‘re finished.
Every manufacturer copied this vehicle in one way or another.
Look what they did to Audi regarding the unintended acceleration. Audi
was lucky to get past that one.
This creature should not be exhumed….
Personally think the entire crossover segment is ugly. The basic shape itself is ugly for a vehicle. I get that is utilitarian and a lot of people need/want a vehicle like that though. It’s just that NOTHING in the segment looks good or is exciting and the fact that they are prioritizing that basic shape for utility, maybe it’s just not possible.
As bad as it was the 1st time…even gm in their screwed up product plans wouldn’t build it again
Mitsubishi’s current lineup of SUV’s is just plain fugly. Never been a fan of the Darth Vader grills on Lexus and some Toyotas. The front end on the recent Nissan Pathfinder has also joined the freak show.
I owned a 2004 Aztec for three years and it never was in the shop, very reliable. I thought it was ahead of its time in design and the tent functionality. Buicks version was the longer wheelbase Rendezvous. Both were GMs first unibody CUVs. The first generation 1990-96 dust buster fwd minivans were ahead of their time in styling, everyone has finally copied. The Aztec was a better design than a Honda Element. I like the new updated Aztec from a styling perspective, but GMC could probably make a comparable model on the Terrain platform.
I would buy this in a heartbeat!
I really like this type of vehicle and I have always been a Pontiac fan. GMC, build something like this!
This proposed Aztec design needs a clean up styling wise of the upper quarter panel area the triangle window and two Pillars is way two busy and creates ugliness to a nice low cost AWD 4cyl.fairly economical starter design or slap a GMC grille in it and with a few tweets , away we go selling hot cakes baby GMC’s
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Pleeeease! Noooooooo!
Ummm, y’all just took the Hyundai intium and put a few Pontiac cues on it , wow at least admit what y’all did instead of acting it was really a thought at G.M.
This Aztek will not be resurrected anytime soon, gm along with all the other Automakers, have an EV Market to try and save.
Make me want to sell blue crystals in Arizona.
They could have kept the Pontiac Solstice, still the most beautiful design GM ever had and one of the coolest small 2 seat converts on the road today, and rebadged it as a Chevy, a “baby vette”. But NO . They had better “ideas”.
The ONLY remarkable design they have left is the Vette. Everything else GM has on the road today is “vanilla”, generic vanilla .
… way more style than the Trailblazer.
GM actually did plan and design a next-gen Aztek, based on the unloved Subaru Tribeca. It looked considerably better than any of the renderings shown here (as well as the first gen), but wasn’t meant to be.
Why not have Buick manufacture this vehicle with a few tweaks and see how it might sell?
Great job on this rendering! But, why not a rendering for a revived Buick Grand National?
Still ugly.
Looks like Kia and trail blazer had baby .. with trial blazer there’s no need for this
One Aztec was one too many. This rendering is just as hideous as the original. Pass.