Pontiac wanted to revamp themselves and went on a mission. To create a vehicle that would appeal to the masses in all groups and be multi fuctional.
Pontiac, even though laughed at, at times. Has done some good things. GTO for one... the Fiero was well ahead of its time just to name a few.
They did massive studies on design, layout, needs, etc. Thats why the Aztek has a small window in hatch like the last generation CRX for a clearer lower view. Why the console comes out as a cooler. Why the interior dash lights, etc are red for sporty and ease on the eyes. Why a tent item was able to come out the back. And that is just a few known items the truck can do.
I can understand what they were doing, and why. But sometimes putting all things together doesn't always work. Good example is a swiss army knife. Sure its great you have a spoon, fork, knife, file, cutters, scissors, etc. But would you use that tool every day to eat, cut, trim nails, etc? No, as its ugly, uncomfortable and not practicle even though it has all the tools in one.
Same w/ the Aztek. Sure it has all the items as one, but in doing so they made it unappealing. What most call ugly. And besides that fact... basic style.. even for Pontiac, it is very weak. If more curves, flow and better lines had been put into the exterior it could of been an easy hit. But it seems like 95% of attention went into the fuction and options and only 5% went into looks.
This is a flaw GM has on many of their cars. And to fix this flaw they have now imported Opel cars from their UK division. These are now the new Saturn line, the new Chevy Impala and the new Saturn and Pontiac coupes. Its not the first time. The Cady Caterra was an imported Opel. Opel is by far a better car than any USA brand of GM.
Since the Aztek bombed so bad, they did finally do what I stated above, put more umphf on the exterior. The Aztek today is called the
Buick Rendezvous. They altered it some and focused it to one market, 28-48. But even then it bombed, even with Tiger Woods DRILLING it to us over n over in commercials.
Today, its gone, finally.
