The Pontiac Aztek has experienced a popularity rollercoaster similar to other uniquely styled vehicles like the Chrysler PT Cruiser and Fiat Multipla. Initially loved for its distinctiveness, it quickly became the target of widespread criticism for its unconventional looks. For years, the Aztek Car resided in the automotive hall of shame, deemed “hideous” and “uncool.” However, as time has passed and Azteks have become rarer, a curious phenomenon has occurred: the world is starting to reconsider, and even appreciate, this much-maligned machine. But what if we set aside these fickle trends in automotive taste and evaluate the Pontiac Aztek simply as a car? What if we look at it without irony, focusing on its merits? Let’s do exactly that.
It’s important to preface this by stating that this isn’t a detached, purely “objective” review. Automotive enthusiasm, and car reviews, inherently involve emotion. Cars like the Jeep Wrangler, Ford F-150 Raptor, and Tesla Cybertruck often compromise on practicalities, yet they are passionately loved. Understanding and acknowledging this emotional connection is crucial in any car assessment. Therefore, while this is an unironic look at the Aztek car, it’s not devoid of feeling. We’re not here to declare the Aztek good because it’s now ironically cool to like “uncool” things. Instead, we’ll explore the genuine merits of this vehicle and how it feels to drive and live with.
A promotional video frame showcasing the Pontiac Aztek, highlighting its unique and sometimes debated design features.
So, let’s re-introduce my recently acquired 2003 Pontiac Aztek car – a beige beauty, as seen here:
Front three-quarter view of a beige Pontiac Aztek parked outdoors, emphasizing its boxy silhouette and distinctive front grille.
Close-up shot of the Pontiac Aztek emblem on the rear tailgate, focusing on the brand’s logo and model name.
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Interior view of the Pontiac Aztek’s dashboard and steering wheel, showcasing the car’s driver-centric controls and layout.
Despite arriving from Arizona with a dead battery that initially caused some electrical quirks, a simple trickle charge quickly revived my Aztek car, bringing it back to excellent running condition. Sure, it has a few minor cosmetic blemishes – some trim missing near the rear passenger door, a slightly loose window switch panel, and the expected scratches and small rust spots for a car of its age. But overall, this Aztek is in remarkably good shape. The interior, in particular, has held up wonderfully, and the air conditioning blows ice-cold (apparently, a rare and cherished feature in Azteks). This isn’t some neglected, worn-out example made famous by a certain TV show; it’s a genuinely well-preserved vehicle. Acquiring it for just $3,604 felt like an absolute steal.
Close-up of the Pontiac Aztek’s front headlight and turn signal, highlighting the car’s unique and somewhat polarizing front-end styling.
The timing of this purchase from Cars & Bids couldn’t have been better. I was in the midst of moving apartments, and while I had downsized considerably, I still had a significant amount of belongings to transport.
Supreme Comfort: The Aztek Car’s Unexpected Strength
My initial plan was to utilize the Aztek car for transporting boxes and smaller items, intending to rent a pickup truck later for larger furniture like my couch. So, I immediately put the Aztek to work, driving from Santa Monica to Studio City to collect my packed belongings.
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Almost instantly, I noticed something genuinely surprising: the Aztek car rides exceptionally well!
The Pontiac Aztek features a MacPherson strut front suspension and a torsion beam rear suspension, with coil springs at all four corners. While it’s undeniably top-heavy and exhibits some body roll in corners, the overall ride quality is remarkably soft and comfortable. Settling into the camouflage bucket seat felt akin to floating down the highway, perched high above the road. In fact, the ride quality strongly reminded me of my old 1994 Chrysler Voyager minivan. The elevated seating position and the smooth, almost floaty ride delivered a genuinely pleasant driving experience.
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The Aztek car’s audio system also exceeded expectations, featuring speakers positioned near the A-pillars and in the doors, providing decent sound quality. The hydraulic power steering, while slightly heavier than modern electric systems, offers a smooth and buttery feel. In almost every aspect, the Aztek car seems engineered for comfort.
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The 3.4-liter V6 engine, producing 185 horsepower and powering the front wheels, is adequate for moving the Aztek’s roughly 3,800-pound frame. While not particularly quick, achieving 0-60 mph in around 9-10 seconds under full throttle, the powertrain is far from problematic. It performs its job without fuss, effectively fading into the background, neither impressing nor disappointing.
Interior view of the Pontiac Aztek’s spacious cargo area with the rear seats folded down, demonstrating its utility and cargo capacity.
Visibility from the driver’s seat is excellent in all directions, again echoing the experience in my 1994 Chrysler minivan. In summary, the driving experience is far from sporty, but it’s supremely comfortable and genuinely enjoyable. Even my girlfriend, Elise, was pleasantly surprised, texting me: “I liked the Aztek! Very comfortable ride, spacious, retro vibes.”
A Surprising Pickup Truck Alternative: The Aztek Car’s Versatility
Rear view of the Pontiac Aztek with its tailgate open, highlighting the ease of access to the cargo area and its potential for loading items.
Side profile of the Pontiac Aztek with its rear tailgate partially open, demonstrating the unique design feature and functionality.
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Angled rear shot of the Pontiac Aztek, emphasizing its wide stance and the design of the rear window and taillights.
Rear view of the Pontiac Aztek fully loaded with moving boxes, showcasing its practical cargo capacity and utility for moving tasks.
I understand the seemingly outlandish claim of calling the Aztek car a pickup truck alternative – it sounds almost absurd. But consider this:
Many modern “pickup trucks,” such as the Rivian R1T and Ford Maverick, feature beds that are only about 4.5 feet long and often quite narrow. And I can confidently state that the Aztek car is just as, if not more, useful than many of these trucks for actually hauling cargo. The photos above clearly illustrate the sheer volume of items the Aztek can accommodate.
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While I anticipated the Aztek car to be versatile, I was genuinely astonished by its ability to swallow nearly everything from my apartment in just three trips. Even more impressively, I managed to fit an eight-foot-long couch into the back, using only a couple of ratchet straps to secure it and hold down the rear glass.
Close-up of the Pontiac Aztek’s rear tailgate and bumper, emphasizing the low loading height and practical design for cargo access.
The Aztek car’s 42-inch wide rear opening, the easily removable second-row seats, the strategically placed tie-down points in the cargo area, and especially the versatile tailgate, elevate its practicality to an unexpected level. It offers much of the utility of a pickup truck while retaining the comfortable ride of a car. This combination of traits sounds remarkably similar to… a minivan. And indeed, driving the Aztek car evokes strong minivan vibes – specifically, “Wow, this feels surprisingly like my 1994 Chrysler minivan.”
It’s no coincidence that the Aztek car is built upon GM’s U-Body minivan platform.
Rear interior view of the Pontiac Aztek’s cargo area with the tailgate and rear window open, highlighting its accessibility and cargo space.
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This realization might prompt the question: “So, it’s comfortable and spacious. Is it just a five-seat minivan then? Why not simply buy a van?”
This is where the intangible, emotional appeal of the Aztek car comes into play. Yes, functionally, it shares many similarities with a minivan, particularly a five-seater with a tailgate. If there’s one key takeaway from this assessment, it’s that functionally, the Aztek car is essentially a van. However, car purchases are rarely solely based on pure functionality. We are drawn to vehicles for their holistic appeal, and the Aztek car manages to inject a unique soul into its undeniable practicality.
Front three-quarter view of the Pontiac Aztek parked at a classic car show, showcasing its presence among other automotive enthusiasts.
I drove the Aztek car to Bob’s Big Boy, a famous Friday night car show in Burbank, California. Initially, I didn’t even consider parking it in the show, relegating it to street parking. But, unbelievably, the moment I stepped out of the Aztek, someone approached me and asked if they could take pictures of it.
People genuinely love the Aztek car. It’s quirky, charming, and undeniably fun. But it’s more than just a novelty; it’s a genuinely good and useful vehicle. It’s versatile, comfortable, offers excellent visibility, and isn’t plagued by major reliability issues. It’s a legitimately enjoyable machine, a sentiment echoed by Motor Trend back when the car was first released in the early 2000s:
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With 9K miles on the clock, the Aztek may not have produced any converts–but it has garnered the respect of naysayers. Not a small triumph.
The initial widespread disdain for the Aztek car wasn’t permanent. After roughly 15 years in the automotive wilderness, public opinion has swung back around. But this isn’t just the typical cycle of quirky-car appreciation. The Aztek car is genuinely good. It always has been.
