When I handed in my text on the decade’s top 10, my colleagues made fun of me. Mind you, it wasn’t the first time, nor will it be the last. And often it’s for the same reason: I included the Pontiac Aztek in my selection. Before you driving enthusiasts start booing and throwing stones, allow me to defend my choice, this misunderstood vehicle.
First, let’s get it out of the way: the Aztek is definitely not a paragon of style. But the model I used to drive, a 2002, at least had the merit of featuring matching rocker panels. Which was not the case of the previous models, whose dark grey panels looked like parts from another car mistakenly tacked onto the Aztek.
Mine was a brick red affair, Maple Red to be precise, and by Jove, it had flair.
Second, let’s get the engine stuff sorted: the Aztek’s engine was the same one powering the Buick RendezVous minivans of the day. And to my knowledge, no one was outraged by the mill, which got the job done even though it was a little short on torque.
Third – and this is why I’m a fan of the Aztek – I’ve rarely seen a more versatile and useful utility vehicle. While I wasn’t crazy about the design, it nonetheless allowed me to load quite a lot of stuff in the cargo area. And the size of the beast also meant that there was enough head- and legroom for all passengers.
You want an example? I owned this car when my daughter was captain, and I manager, of a soccer team. As a result, we had several girls to haul about all summer long, along with soccer gear, official balls and various sports paraphernalia. I never once ran out of space.
Here’s another example: my mother-in-law was staying with us at the time to help take care of our boy. Trips were a five-person affair: mother-in-law, better half, daughter, son, and of course me – and by the way, the young ’un was still in his car seat then. And once again, no one ever complained that there wasn’t enough room.
I remember a camping trip to the Gaspésie region where because of bad weather we never got to crack the tent open once (not the one included with the Aztek). The car was full to bursting, but no one ever complained.
In short, the Pontiac Aztek had many critics, and still does. But you have to see it for what it was: a family vehicle, utilitarian and versatile. From that point of view, it was such a success that I sometimes miss it.
But I admit that style-wise… meh.
Marc Bouchard
First, let’s get it out of the way: the Aztek is definitely not a paragon of style. But the model I used to drive, a 2002, at least had the merit of featuring matching rocker panels. Which was not the case of the previous models, whose dark grey panels looked like parts from another car mistakenly tacked onto the Aztek.
Mine was a brick red affair, Maple Red to be precise, and by Jove, it had flair.
Second, let’s get the engine stuff sorted: the Aztek’s engine was the same one powering the Buick RendezVous minivans of the day. And to my knowledge, no one was outraged by the mill, which got the job done even though it was a little short on torque.
Third – and this is why I’m a fan of the Aztek – I’ve rarely seen a more versatile and useful utility vehicle. While I wasn’t crazy about the design, it nonetheless allowed me to load quite a lot of stuff in the cargo area. And the size of the beast also meant that there was enough head- and legroom for all passengers.
You want an example? I owned this car when my daughter was captain, and I manager, of a soccer team. As a result, we had several girls to haul about all summer long, along with soccer gear, official balls and various sports paraphernalia. I never once ran out of space.
Here’s another example: my mother-in-law was staying with us at the time to help take care of our boy. Trips were a five-person affair: mother-in-law, better half, daughter, son, and of course me – and by the way, the young ’un was still in his car seat then. And once again, no one ever complained that there wasn’t enough room.
I remember a camping trip to the Gaspésie region where because of bad weather we never got to crack the tent open once (not the one included with the Aztek). The car was full to bursting, but no one ever complained.
In short, the Pontiac Aztek had many critics, and still does. But you have to see it for what it was: a family vehicle, utilitarian and versatile. From that point of view, it was such a success that I sometimes miss it.
But I admit that style-wise… meh.
Marc Bouchard