Pontiac Aztek

Pontiac Aztek
Pontiac Aztek
Overview
Manufacturer	General Motors
Production	July 2000 – August 2005
Model years	2001–2005
Assembly	Mexico: Ramos Arizpe (Ramos Arizpe Assembly)
Designer	Tom Peters (chief designer: 1997)
Body and chassis
Class	Mid-size crossover SUV
Body style	5-door SUV
Layout	Front-engine, front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive
Platform	U-body/GMT250
Related	Buick Rendezvous
Powertrain
Engine	Gasoline:; 3.4 L LA1 V6
Transmission	4-speed 4T65-E automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	108.3 in (2,751 mm)
Length	182.1 in (4,625 mm)
Width	73.7 in (1,872 mm)
Height	66.7 in (1,694 mm)
Curb weight	3,779–4,043 lb (1,714–1,834 kg)
Chronology
Predecessor	Pontiac Sunrunner (Canada)
Successor	Pontiac Torrent

The Pontiac Aztek is a mid-size crossover SUV marketed by General Motors from model years 2001 until 2005, along with a rebadged variant, the Buick Rendezvous.

As a 5-door crossover with a front engine with front-wheel drive and optional all-wheel drive, the Aztek featured a four-speed automatic transmission with a V-6 engine. Marketed by Pontiac as a "sport recreational vehicle," the Aztek used a shortened platform shared with GM's minivans (e.g., the Pontiac Montana) featuring 94 cubic feet of cargo room with its rear seats removed. The design employed conventional rear outswing doors rather than sliding doors, and a split rear tailgate, the lower section formed with seat indentations and cupholders. Other features included a front center console that doubled as a removable cooler, optional rear stereo controls in the cargo area, optional sliding cargo floor with grocery compartments and optional camping package with an attachable tent and air mattress.

The Aztek was noted for its controversial styling. Pulitzer Prize-winning automotive journalist Dan Neil, in naming it one of the 50 worst cars of all time, said the Aztek "violate(d) one of the principal rules of car design: we like cars that look like us. With its multiple eyes and supernumerary nostrils, the Aztek looks deformed and scary, something that dogs bark at and cathedrals employ to ring bells. The shame is, under all that ugliness, there was a useful, competent crossover."^[4]

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^ Dan Neil (December 2, 2004). "50 worst cars of all times". Time.

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[refaz-4] Dan Neil (December 2, 2004). "50 worst cars of all times". Time.

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