DETROIT — Its name has become synonymous with that of the Ford Edsel in epitomizing the nadir of automotive desirability. It went out of production more than two years ago. Still, Pontiac sold 25 new Azteks in 2007.
During its five-year life, the Aztek was mocked for its bulbous body shape and contorted face defined by awkwardly stacked lamps and grilles. Time magazine named the Aztek to its list of The 50 Worst Cars of All Time, commenting: "This car could not have been more instantly hated if it had a swastika tattoo on its forehead."
Produced from 2000 through 2005, the Aztek never even made it halfway to meeting the original goal of selling 75,000 vehicles annually. Slow sales brought changes to the exterior after the first year of sales. The 2002 model saw the removal of the gray plastic cladding and marked the beginning of a cladding-free Pontiac lineup.
Despite its polarizing styling, the Aztek took home the top ranking for an entry-level SUV in the J.D. Power and Associates 2001 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout Study. The APEAL Study examines owner satisfaction with vehicle performance and design during the first 90 days of ownership. The Aztek scored highest or second-highest in every category — except exterior design — in that study.
What this means to you: If you're willing to sacrifice your image for some versatility, there may still be a shiny new Aztek on a dealer's lot. — Eric Tingwall, Correspondent
During its five-year life, the Aztek was mocked for its bulbous body shape and contorted face defined by awkwardly stacked lamps and grilles. Time magazine named the Aztek to its list of The 50 Worst Cars of All Time, commenting: "This car could not have been more instantly hated if it had a swastika tattoo on its forehead."
Produced from 2000 through 2005, the Aztek never even made it halfway to meeting the original goal of selling 75,000 vehicles annually. Slow sales brought changes to the exterior after the first year of sales. The 2002 model saw the removal of the gray plastic cladding and marked the beginning of a cladding-free Pontiac lineup.
Despite its polarizing styling, the Aztek took home the top ranking for an entry-level SUV in the J.D. Power and Associates 2001 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout Study. The APEAL Study examines owner satisfaction with vehicle performance and design during the first 90 days of ownership. The Aztek scored highest or second-highest in every category — except exterior design — in that study.
What this means to you: If you're willing to sacrifice your image for some versatility, there may still be a shiny new Aztek on a dealer's lot. — Eric Tingwall, Correspondent
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