2004 Pontiac Aztek Review - A Strange Adventure-Ready SUV!

[@eah0909]

I’m the one who knocks! Thanks for coming to Ohio for our Aztek Zack!

[@williamcricket7931]

God dang it you beat me to it.

[@Spartan117TERRA]

Oh Mr. White

[@mirisch64]

We have to cook, Jesse

[@nick_vash]

Just started watching the 4th season for the first time 😂 The car is ugly if not more 😂 If I didn't see this car in 'breaking bad' and met it somewhere in real life I'd think it was made by russians or North koreans but not by the GM.

[@4G63-T_UwU]

waltuh

[@briansimpkins985]

I have a blue 04 Pontiac Aztek base and have had it for 13-14 years .. I got it when it had 107,000 miles on it now it has 290,000 … the best 5k I ever spent.. I didn’t get the roller tent or bags but this is a very sentimental car for me .. I bought a brand new 23 Highlander but I can’t do what I want with it like the Aztek .. I took the back seats out and made it a car camping where I went from wv to down south and out west 10-15 times with no issues .. now u have a cot with a nice mattress a refrigerator a night stand and plenty of space underneath for my hiking camping gear cooking system etc and still space for my backpack etc .. I think it’s an awesome car and love love love the hatchback (many nights star gazing out the back window from my bed or tailgate) and your right it was meant to let u see the country :)

[@GMfwdSpence]

Fun fact about the switch gear in this thing... GM designed the chunky switches and knobs so you could operate everything with winter gloves on. They really pushed to market this to outdoorsy people.

[@scottdavis_34]

The Aztec was so ahead of its time. Kudos to the forward thinking of the engineers and developers. Sadly it was victim of just poor execution. With a few design tweaks I feel like today it would have been relatively successful.

[@gg_vard]

I agree so much on how ugly, unloved, unwanted vehicles are the best!

[@stephanarizona9094]

Though kinda of a flop, the AzteK has found a second life in the community of van campers, I have had several friends buy low mileage Azteks for $1,000-$4,000 and several outdoor companies make tents for them. They bought them simply because of the cost and now there is a growing subculture of Aztek owners.

[@chicknscratch]

Thank god for breaking bad to bringing this beautiful vehicle to our attention

[@briansimpkins985]

I have an 04 blue Aztek I took the back seats out and made it a car camping where I went from wv to down south and out west 10-15 times with no issues .. now u have a cot with a nice mattress a refrigerator a night stand and plenty of space underneath for my hiking camping gear cooking system etc and still space for my backpack etc .

[@awesomecoolfilmz8420]

Aww dang. All the breaking bad/better call saul goodies in the center console are hilarious

[@c_c]

All of the breaking bad references within this review made it 10x cooler!!

[@chriszbinden1740]

I think between this and the wartburg, you have managed to review the two ugliest yet coolest cars on the road. The Aztek is also on my bucket list, but it’s getting pretty hard to find one that’s clean and low mileage. Back in 2002 when I bought a brand new Vibe GT, the Pontiac dealer was bending over backwards to sell me an Aztek, and I probably paid more for the Vibe than I would have for the Azzie. I love the fact the owner of this one has all of the accessories, that’s pretty amazing

[@frednich9603]

What's with the mismatched wheel? Nice review by the way. It's nice to see someone not dismiss it because of the looks. It never deserved be on every "worst cars" list

[@anequallygoodchannel.2761]

Walter's pontiac Aztec has a mismatched tire throughout the series. I think the owner probably did that as a reference since they seem to be a fan of breaking bad.

[@andrewcocos]

timecode is 8:20 for those lazy :)

[@jonny-nava-367]

I would like to see the Buick Rendezvous sibling.

[@daroachdoggjr188]

Agreed!

[@cfc1001001cfc]

Lots of outdoorsy gadgets + up to date computer/infotainment tech + more conservative Crossover SUV styling would be a big hit for 2024. The Aztek, homely as it is, was way ahead of its time.

[@RyanGallager]

Quickly becoming my new favorite review channel for ordinary cars. Keep it up, love your work!

[@eggdogtim8593]

Just about to go to bed. Zach. Pontiac Aztec review! Well i guess another 14 mins

[@edgaryzen4925]

This happening to me too !!! Why now Zack??!!

[@Kerleem]

The Aztek was ahead of its time, at least in terms of design and in some cases, “lifestyle” marketing. My wife had one of these for many years and still raves about it. If I find a good one, I’d import it to Europe like I did with my Mercury Grand Marquis. But finding a good condition Aztek is difficult.

[@user30017]

Love how the center storage had jesses hello kitty phone

[@bhumiriady]

Been waiting for a Shooting Cars review of the Aztek for some time and it's well worth it! As always, I enjoyed the video so much, Zack.

[@semectual]

Looks like this Pontiac Aztec has an ugly book cover, but when the book is opened, you find some interesting quirks and surprizes! Great Video!

[@COYGunners]

I hate the looks but I must recognise this thing was waaaaaaay ahead of it’s time

[@jefferysmith3930]

I worked at Pontiac dealer in FL when these were new. Older folks loved them….but that was it. I never saw 30 year olds driving them. I remember them being pretty reliable. Doesn’t look out of place in the modern SUV/ Crossover landscape. Expensive Strangely shaped vehicles with multiple cut lines and tacked on bits of black plastic have become the norm

[@MidnightinSavannah]

That's funny, because they were designed for the Gen Xer. I have a 2002 with every option but sunroof, mine has the On-star and the upper console and you couldn't get the sunroof with it.

[@placeholdertag]

Waltah

[@djplonghead5403]

I love the way it looks. It looks like a Prius SUV. If you took a prius and added body wall to it. That is why you get a tailgate and the 2 grill design.

[@hungtheheroluu]

Pontiac even rebadged a Toyota Matrix as the Vibe around the same time the Aztek was still produced and sold, as part of GM’s partnership with Toyota.

[@stephendavidbailey2743]

Absolutely no possibility of mistaking an Aztek for any other vehicle. No need to stare at the badge to figure out what one is looking at.

[@dustinschings7042]

I never understood the "Azteks are ugly" thing, other than they were a crossover before the term crossover came to be. I love them and would absolutely love to find one in good shape with lower miles on it. They are similar in platform to the Pontiac Montana minivan, and my family has had 4-5 of those and I just think the Aztek takes the cake though.

[@bwofficial1776]

Park this next to a pre-facelift revived Jeep Cherokee and one of those SUV-wagon-sedan BMWs and it'll look normal.

[@ceriabestsb3023]

I think this colour does justice to the Aztec.. looks better than yellow..may not be the prettiest car but ugly definitely not..what i love about this car is the amount of built-in practicality.. camping gear not withstanding..i would like to have this type of car for my work as i use my car as mobile office sort of.. Nice one here as you really emphasize the overall outlook..

[@DailyBimmers]

We gotta cook mr white!

[@TT.Hell.]

Sad they never came to europe. I think they would sell here. And I want one!

[@Jok3rz21]

The Aztek is the best worst vehicle Pontiac ever made. Besides the polarizing looks, I love it.

[@messedup4538]

and Jesse Pinkman’s Hello Kitty burner phone gifted to him from Saul Goodman 😁

[@howebrad4601]

When they came out the aztek looked horrible, but from a 2024 lens it fits right in with what's made today. Owned an 03 aztek as family transport years ago and found it practical and reliable, if not all that refined. Enjoyed the review!

[@DoubleDsp]

I miss mine! It had problems! Awd didn't work and couldn't figure it out! After replacing the engine the transmission started going then it decided not to start anymore. It was so much fun while it lasted. All leather interior. If i had won the lottery i would of dumped money into it!

[@codyhopwood5644]

The seats in that look way more comfortable than the seats in that Chevy Trax yesterday

[@albertkc2007]

Had a ‘04 Rallye version in gunmetal grey when I was teaching in Vegas back in the day. Strangely, almost all of my female co-teachers didn’t think it was ugly. I survived a nasty rollover in it and wouldn’t think twice of getting another if I can find one that has the Versatrak AWD, tent and the heads up display. Even my 18 year old son thinks its cool. Nerd-bits: NASA and JPL designed the console controls (can be used even with astronaut EVA gloves).

[@WarthogRacer]

I think the Aztek is cool and I love the styling! I think they look the best with the non-body color plastic cladding too.

[@McElroysMotors]

Spelled Aztek, but otherwise, GREAT video as always, my friend. 😊😊

[@bazilwreckerloughead]

I've always loved the Aztek, I almost bought one years ago, but it was sold before I got to it!

[@rhekman]

What let the Aztek down was 1990's GM "design-by-committee". I read in the past the early concepts where based on the four wheel drive S platform - styling meant to imply the unholy offspring of a Blazer and a Camaro. However once the suits got a hold of it, they forced the design onto the GMT200/U minivan platform. That meant a taller roofline, narrower body, small tires and wheels, and an on-road focused all wheel drive system. Unfortunately that meant it looked less like a big Isuzu VehiCross and more like a Lumina APV with cardboard boxes taped to it.

[@velezdragon3574]

i have its sister i love it the rendezvous its very cozy and so practical and i hope you can review a RENDEZVOUS ONE DAY AS THE DIFFERENCES BETWEENthe two are noticalbal as a buick

[@c.l.7525]

Only the face a mother could love (not you, the Aztek). When will you release your video come out of you documenting sleeping in the rocky mountains for a week in the Aztek?

[@GeeEm1313]

Also, I won't lie. The Aztek was very innovative.

[@mikeperry6794]

If it had been Japanese , the critics would've praised it.

[@johnnymeans356]

Ironically, it's styling is very similar to today's super popular beetle shaped crossovers.

[@rnt45t1]

Looks way better than every square blob cross over on the market today.

[@markhealey9409]

I think it's cool and love the quirky features/accessories,& the front end,not crazy about the rear end styling.

[@bwofficial1776]

The Aztek was ahead of its time. It was too early for the crossover boom. Given what carmakers are making today, this doesn't look bad. 10 years later and it would have fit right in with the revived Jeep Cherokee. The Doug DeMuro-approved cooler console predates removable accessories like the Jeep Gladiator's Bluetooth speaker. This seems like the Honda Element's less-successful worse-quality cousin given its focus on practicality and adventure. I had one of those green safety box cutters when I worked at a grocery store. I got to be pretty smooth at whipping that thing out. I was the only person in my department who didn't lose their issued one and I never lent it out.

[@davinp]

Maybe that was one of GM's cost-cutting measures, not putting an outside locking door cover

[@jeffanderson3962]

4:42 Of course there's a boxcuttter in there

[@redneon06]

It has Lumina door handles.

[@beachbum1523]

Obviously, the creative genius of George Barris was behind the Aztec, who gave us the Highway Queen Family Truckster. You may think you hate it now, but just wait until you drive it! 😆😆

[@davinp]

Remember that Honda made the Element back then which they could bring back

[@corvair1966]

Never has a concept car fallen so far from the tree on the way to production. Google the original concepts and you can see why Pontiac had such high hopes for the Aztek.

[@jacobyo99]

This is the precursor to the BMW X6 and all of the other “coupe” SUVs, which are somehow considered to be cool

[@CarsofGlasgow]

I can’t believe this has a 4 speed and produces so little power for a car made in 00’s

[@bantuatha]

I wonder GM want to bring this back as either Hybrid or full on EV since this car are so popular that they call it "Walter White's car"

[@moeanthony9308]

Alot nicer than its ugly sister the Rendezvous

[@zachc8706]

I don’t know why this car got so much hate. I like them.

[@Leo-pd8ww]

Headlights remind me of the fiat multipla. Looking at it will stab your soul.

[@Dnycest100_TripleR-Ent]

Pontiac marketing sucks you haven't really seen a commercial meet for a Pontiac and almost forever lol.

[@dave11686]

My mom test drove one back in 2005

[@redneon06]

Nowadays it’s normal to have two sets of headlights: Hyundai Santa Fe Back then it was the first of its kind. I think it looked great. I mean back then I drove a Pt Cruiser so…

[@jdwarferc3754]

For me, it looks weird, but good weird. It's not ugly.

[@deadfishparty]

For one of the few times GM had a great idea and terrible execution. Every time I see one I think of “The Homer”. Subaru took this idea and showed how how to bring it together. But I’m glad GM swung for the fences. Beats everything else they made in that era.

[@RobG1981]

It feels like this vehicle is to North Americans what the 1990's Fiat Multipla is to Europeans.

[@DottedEnviroment]

The aztek isn't an ugly car, it's beautiful and anyone who says otherwise is a lair

[@kc0lif]

not bad.

[@CarsofGlasgow]

Cool Video

[@robertpollock38]

I love it

[@m0d.]

Walther White's car. hehe

[@dimitriwaardenburg4631]

Great video!! I looove that car hahaha

[@CasualInTheTrees]

Based.

[@theoddfurry141]

Do normal cars have locking gas caps? I don’t think my 08 Saturn vue has one at all

[@ShootingCars]

A lot of cars have a door in front of the gas cap that can be locked.

[@Hhhvucfjcggnb]

Mr White ahh car

[@joshuawang5859]

SAY MY NAME！

[@jish8681]

3:43 car from 2004 with aux??? Am I seeing that right?? Thought that was a 2007-8 thing

[@11.9lsupercharged4]

Mitsubishi had aux ports in the 90s

[@drmnishikawa]

What doomed the Aztek was the fact it was overwhelmingly unconfortable... to be seen inside of. Just look like a lunchbox on wheels.

[@passerati_ab]

For me, it is clearly the car from "Dark Angel" :-) , as Pre-Facelift. Because I didn't saw Breaking Bad so far. edit: I like this car. Nice features. Yes, it is ugly - but still better than a Fiat Multipla Mk1 .

[@allroadsawesome]

These are still ugly but I feel like they are not as ugly as some of the new vehicles coming out

[@rummimg]

Looks like you released 12 hours early lol

[@danmayberry1185]

If a bird hatched that, it would be starved and kicked from the nest.

[@maggnar]

It was a ugly thing. 😁😁 However I find interesting that some people modified it and some even change the rolling heigth. It is somehow distopian. I think that GM allow to the Sang Yong company to use the platform to produce the "Actyon".

[@th_kowalski]

❤

[@American_Voyager101]

bruh, this car isnt that ugly the fiat multipla is uglier than that. i love the aztek the biggest drawback was the gas cap thing

[@different-abled5332]

Traveling

[@davidp2888]

What’re all these little baggies doing in here?

[@retrocar7761]

One of the most hideous cars ever made, no amount of being in a TV show could make this cool, but thats just my personal thoughts on this car.

[@davinp]

Some say the Aztec helped kill Pontiac. It was a weird design SUV and GM used cheap plastics in the interior, so not the best quality. Notice the ugly cheap looking grey buttons for the radio and climate control

[@MidnightinSavannah]

I've been in the rental car business since the late 90's. While people think the knobs look cheap, i hate the touch screens on the new cars and the Chrysler's are the worst. Driving down the road and trying to change things like the A/C and the radio tone while driving sucks.

[@davinp]

@@MidnightinSavannah I think the heat and ac controls should be kept separate from the infotainment screen. It just makes the system to complex and if it breaks you have no way of turning on the AC or heat.

[@joey86bu1]

It's a shame I liked these.

[@joey86bu1]

@@Brian_Eugene_Lee Most important part of any test!

[@haidengameplays]

This car is 100% ugly

[@haidengameplays]

It's really really ugly

[@ToesInTheSand6927]

Ive Commetted on another Aztek video, That The Aztek was ahead of its time. As We Now have Similar Stylings With BMW X6 & Mercedes GLE43 AMG. Which all 3 look great.

[@MyerShift7]

😂😂😂 gross. No taste. No class... Oh dear. Then I actually looked at your avatar pic. 'Nuff said. 😘

[@diarreialiquida]

Say my name :D

[@ebplayer74]

My first car in high school. The sound system was insanely loud. Lots of room on the inside and ended up getting 256k miles before it died on me. Super reliable ride

[@derek2gloves]

Had mine as my first car owned for 12 years til an accident around 250k miles and the stock pioneer sound system in my rally aztek was absolutely insane with aftermarket radio installed lol. Everyone loved it also

[@maxthompson]

As someone who is currently in the market for one of these, i commend you on an excellent video for doing this misunderstood beauty justice!

[@ivanren1]

I think this version fell short on accessories, mine is a 2001 model and it has more things that this one lacked, the sunroof is missing, the pioneer sound system with 10 speakers with integrated amolifier, the screen that reflects speed on the glass and The radio functions just like the arrows when turning. Without a doubt, it is the best vehicle built and that is why I have had it for 11 years and I will never leave it.

[@georgewilson1184]

Walter White knows what these cars can & can’t do

[@sweettee2770]

I really like the Pontiac Aztec . It’s cool. it has many features that the newer cars don’t have . How many sports SUV’s come with a tent?you can’t compare a recently developed car with and early 2000’s car it’s in good condition. No rust . Clean paint job. People in the comments are just too based on popularity and not the benefits of the SUV .

[@djplonghead5403]

Give it the 3800 and a refreshed grill and I would buy it.

[@mrJakestetler]

That tent and cooler are dope. The door ditty bag is reminiscent of high end European cars that had matching luggage as options. I wonder how much room there is with the back seats (all seats?) folded down. Also, can the slide out support a camper? I couldn’t afford a new car when the Aztec came out but I was super into the concept. Thanks Cory!

[@chicknscratch]

Even the goddamn box cutter was a reference