New Vehicle Review

Describing the 2001 Pontiac Aztek to "The Car Show" listening audience posed an interesting challenge. Mostly, because I found this SUV to be very functional, yet its peculiar look made it hard to like and to define.

The Pontiac Aztek reminded me of a cross between an oversized car and a van. Pontiac refers to it not as a SUV but as a "SRV" – a Sports Recreation Vehicle. I think it was clever of them to try to create a sporty pleasure vehicle that’s functional, yet the presentation leaves a lot to be desired. The body style was an awkward combination with the front end looking futuristic and the back end old-fashioned. I thought it got stuck in a time warp.

The Aztek GT we test drove was bright red with dark gray leather interior. It had plenty of standard features and very attractive options too. The 2001 Pontiac Azteks range in price between $23,000- $28,000. And the options on the Aztek GT four-door we drove, brought the price to almost $28,000.

A V6-engine was standard with a four-speed automatic transmission and front wheel drive. These features were also included: battery rundown protection; driver and front-passenger front and side airbags; four-wheel antilock brakes; air conditioning with dual zone climate controls; rear liftgate/tailgate; roof-rack system; front door utility packs; plus, a useful and fun item – a removable front console/cooler.

As for the options, that added about $3,000 to the standard price, they included the Aztek GT’S 1SC Package which featured: traction control; a six-way power adjustable driver’s seat; security alarm; leather wrapped steering wheel with radio controls; sliding rear cargo tray; Eyecue head-up display with digital indicators for key functions; the Onstar Communications System; and a Premium Pioneer 10-speaker stereo system with rear cargo audio controls. Another addition was the trailer tow package.

The Pontiac Aztek GT was designed to attract younger buyers who enjoy the outdoors and want a vehicle to fit that lifestyle. Even their marketing created a sense of adventure when you own the Pontiac Aztek. Four "Lifestyle" packages are offered with the Aztek: Hiking, Biking, Camping and Sports. Each has varying options specific to the different package needs. For instance, the Biking Package includes a bike rack, deluxe rubber floor mats and washable seat covers. The Camping package includes an attachable tent that connects right to the rear of the Aztek when the hatch and tailgate are open; plus a manual self-inflating air mattress.

I really liked all the storage space the Aztek GT offered and the cargo net system in the rear compartment. The cargo nets could be reconfigured in 22 different ways (no I didn’t try them all!) which I thought was very useful and a great way to keep things organized and uncluttered. The best part was being able to store small or large things in the cargo nets like a thermos, luggage, groceries and/or coolers and they didn’t move around a make a big mess.

The rear seats can be flipped forward, fold down and/or be removed totally to provide more space as well.

As for gas mileage and performance, the Pontiac Aztek GT did well on gas and was comfortable to drive. Compared to other SUV’s, the Aztek GT didn’t seem to guzzle the gas so quickly. It has an 18-gallon fuel tank and gets 19 miles per gallon in City driving and about 26 mpg on the highway.

It has standard seating for five people with comfortable bucket seats in the front. It was quiet to drive overall, yet I did notice the road noise more with the radio off and the windows up. I thought the Aztek lacked in real pick-up-and-go. It was more like a van in the way it hesitated to accelerate quickly.

I have to admit, everywhere I drove the car, especially since we drove it shortly after it was introduced, I had many people walk up and check it out. I even had a man ahead of me in a fast food restaurant drive-thru, get out of his car to look at the Aztek and wanted to know what I thought of it. I got worried at first until I saw his wife shaking her head and laughing in their car. I had a few people ask me to please open the tailgate area so they could check out the two seats that are molded into the tailgate itself and the rear audio/stereo controls built right in the back as well. This would definitely be a fun SUV to take to outdoor events and tailgate parties.

Overall, the 2001 Pontiac Aztek GT stirred up a lot of curiosity, but in the long run, I don’t think a lot of buyers will be that accepting. While the Pontiac Aztek’s marketing statement claims, "It’s quite possibly the most versatile vehicle on the planet," I kept wondering what planet? It doesn’t have a home here yet, it just doesn’t quite fit in.

Overall, out of a four tire rating, with four being the very best, I give the 2001 Pontiac Aztek a 2 tires and a Spare for a "just above average" rating.

I’m not sure if there is any real connection or not, but the 2001 Pontiac Aztek GT was assembled in Mexico and the name "Aztek" or "Aztec" represents a member of the Indian people who were dominant in Central Mexico in the year 1519.