The Pontiac Aztek Is Not Nearly as Bad as You Think | Here's Why!

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On this episode of The Fast Lane Car we take a deep dive into one of the most misunderstood cars of the 21st century: The Pontiac Aztek. But is it as bad as everyone says it is?
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#FREETFL #Pontiac #Aztek

[@b.t.2795]

Perfect vehicle for Halloween.

[@MarkM58]

I owned one like this. People laughed, but it was a good car! It was very comfortable and had tons of room in it.

[@5MillCity]

How I felt with my 2010 Honda Ridgeline. Gross to look at but one of the best vehicles I’ve ever had.

[@manuelias86]

Lol I remember they gave 1 away in survivor 🤣

[@niconugishd9150]

i,m actually tempted to buy a Aztek, it,s unique and functional and that,s why i love it

[@rumaabba8875]

everything in media was manipulation towarded aztek authentic design & productions units (2001 - 2005 2007) , gm& europemedia affiliations should receive billion $ lawsuit , esspecially vvhen they use japan automotive netvv0rx to copy everything american did through pontiac capitalized aztec manufacture Similar to champcar 》 they put violence narative on media and closed the events in 2008 just bcz being issued with gadget inside vvhich affecting failed at start grid (nonsense). Vvhile euro gangs allready use champcar aero design at many f i a race events. Also nissan in japan ... european elite simply wants their ovvn names and their ovvn "made up" credits in nissan netvvorx

[@DTA-me3kv]

Was it reliable?

[@mexicanspec]

People are always commenting on the Aztek, but you never hear anything about the Buick Rendezvous when it was basically the same vehicle.

[@jay1182]

That’s because it’s the BUICK variant with means smoother lines and overall better craftsmanship I have an 07 cxl rendezvous true luxury truck And looks better thank Aztec amidst

[@enjoylife7030]

The Aztec was so great that Toyota used its design cues for the Prius and the new Rav4!

[@mustansir2581]

It's Aztek not Aztec

[@niconugishd9150]

Conclusion is, Aztek was way too ahead of it,s time, people wherent ready for it

[@briansimpkins985]

@@niconugishd9150 i agree 1000 precent i have had one for 14 years and just commented my thoughts on this amazing srv

[@NateDawg0007]

These cars have so many cool features for camping. I wish another company would make a better looking spiritual successor.

[@nikolasbishop7955]

I think the infiniti qx80 had an optional tent lol

[@rumaabba8875]

germ🛒an companies using chrysler links to provide them latest designs & manufacture hardvvare // machines. vw//bmvv//mercedes//amg= *not authentic and full of f r a u d credits claim* , esspecially vvhen they spreads lie through media about credit designer & credit inventions for camper & recreationalvehicle (RV)

[@alexgray2179]

The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross looks like a new Aztek. Prove me Wrong

[@tonyvillalba1833]

Bingo!! I thought I was the only one who thought that! heck, I'm thinking of getting an Aztek in the near future.

[@TexasBroskiActual]

So, it was an overlander before over landing was such a thing...

[@BigMateo24]

Over landing is camping. Camping has been around forever.

[@rightlanehog3151]

"Not nearly as bad" in comparison to that Defender??

[@lastdaysgarageldg1684]

I just picked an Aztek for a project at Last Days Garage...and yes, I'm doing a light restoration. It's a 2001 AWD model in lovely citrus green, a one year only color. Why? Because it's so hated that I can completely relate to it. It is the Quasimodo of cars, ugly but it means well.

[@warriorzeke]

I use to work at an auto parts store, everyone that came in to the store looking for parts for their Aztek absolutely loved that car. It's still ugly, but that changed my mind about it supposedly being the the worst car ever.

[@garretlewis4103]

Aztec: I remember when they came out. They were trying to be the overland vehicle before the overland vehicle was cool. They also has “limp home” mode. This was if you busted the radiator and lost all of the coolant, the engine would cut cylinders firing (I believe down to 3) and rotate them to keep the engine from overheating and you could make it home. I think it also did reduce your speed.

[@doct0rnic]

I remember seeing this at an auto show back in 2000, but looking back now, it was ahead of its time, it was America's first crossover.

[@edgart49]

If it had a bmw emblem in the front people would praise it and call it awesome.

[@vicarod]

Back when we had a couple of newborns in 2004, we bought a Buick Rendezvous which is on the same platform. Great SUV, sold it with about 90k on it after 4 years. Never one issue with it. Yes, our Buick had a HUD. Sadly our subsequent Enclaves (including the 2019) do not.

[@brentvance3958]

We had one and loved it. Sold it with 180k miles and was running good when we sold it. Worked great for our family.

[@briansimpkins985]

i have had mine for 14 years ! i got it with 107k now it has 291k and i took the seats out and made it an awesome car camping car....the pictures of it u all would love...its been an amazing srv that i have taken across country more than 10 times from west virginia to cali 4-5 times to colorado montana arizona etc...

[@turdgoblin6113]

I absolutely love my 2002 aztek!! I've gone camping with it numerous times and has never left me stranded.

[@theejoeylee]

Some old bonnevilles had the air nozzle in the trunk too

[@EBuff75]

Yep. My mother's 1997 Bonneville 40th Anniversary Edition had that. Came with about a 20' hose as well, if I remember correctly. Also had a HUD, which GM has offered in various vehicles all the way back to 1988!

[@ireuel357]

I've had my aztek for about eight years now. It's got gobs of space, has gotten me into amazing mountainous places where I was surrounded by 4x4 trucks, has decent power and mpg. My wife loves it and my kids argue about who gets it when we finally replace it. Whine all you want about looks, this has been a great ride.

[@briansimpkins985]

i have an 04 aztek that i have had for almost 14 years!! i got it when it had like 107,000 miles on it now it has almost 291,000 miles on it and its been an absolute amazing car...yes i had to replace or get the head gaskets fixed and a new transmission 5-6 years ago but overall having put 13-14k in it and having it for almost 14 years thats just like 1000 dollars a year not including tires oil changes and brakes....i use it as a car camping backpacking vehicle and its absolutely beyond reliable ..its been one of the best cars for my lifestyle i could ever dream of and honestly wish they would remaster or build more even if its just a few thousand because people now days would love it since so many people are into the van life and this would be sooo much more cheaper than a van then building it out..i took my seats out and i have a cot a little 3 drawer dresser and refrigerator a usb fan that i can connect to the cig outlet thats connected on the back of my drivers seat to keep cool during warm spring or summer nights so much room under the cot for like 3-4 storage totes for backpacking items, cooking clothes and other things u might need going down the road ..its a great little set up. Wish must of u all could see how it looks like its 5-10 years old rather than 20 and then the inside no stains nothing broken etc...im about to go on one last epic journey around the us here in a few days for like 2 months and 7-8,000 miles....

[@Jeep2Honda]

One of the very few, if not the only, GM products to meet every design, schedule, and cost parameters set forth when it was approved for production.

[@jfkusa123]

Check our the Honda Element. Another car that doesn’t get enough love

[@martinsoto5641]

Tommy you’re for sure one of my favorite on this channel! Keep up the great work.

[@TheDodgefan9]

I have an 05 Bonneville GXP. I really miss the heads up display when driving other cars.

[@lynnjacque4267]

I have one, my favorite ride.. . The best mountain climber here in alaska

[@MyGuyJustinH]

I am a huge fan of the Pontiac Aztek

[@AxleChastain]

It was actually before its time in my opinion. Hell you could even get a tent opinion in it

[@LeoVirgo84]

Oh Tommy! You are so much to behold and desired! Don't sell yourself short! ;D Your eloquent and educated information delivery method is near hypnotizing...in a good way! ;)

[@Alviniscute]

I need to buy one of these before everyone lets them either get destroyed or too rusted. Really gotta value the 3.4 V6

[@briansimpkins985]

i have an 04 aztek that i have had for almost 14 years!! i got it when it had like 107,000 miles on it now it has almost 291,000 miles on it and its been an absolute amazing car...yes i had to replace or get the head gaskets fixed and a new transmission 5-6 years ago but overall having put 13-14k in it and having it for almost 14 years thats just like 1000 dollars a year not including tires oil changes and brakes....i use it as a car camping backpacking vehicle and its absolutely beyond reliable ..its been one of the best cars for my lifestyle i could ever dream of and honestly wish they would remaster or build more even if its just a few thousand because people now days would love it since so many people are into the van life and this would be sooo much more cheaper than a van then building it out..i took my seats out and i have a cot a little 3 drawer dresser and refrigerator a usb fan that i can connect to the cig outlet thats connected on the back of my drivers seat to keep cool during warm spring or summer nights so much room under the cot for like 3-4 storage totes for backpacking items, cooking clothes and other things u might need going down the road ..its a great little set up. Wish must of u all could see how it looks like its 5-10 years old rather than 20 and then the inside no stains nothing broken etc...im about to go on one last epic journey around the us here in a few days for like 2 months and 7-8,000 miles....

[@cjvx7208]

I would like to see a video like this on a Isuzu VEHICROSS!!!..

[@josephwhiskeybeale]

Oh god! To early in the morning to scare me with something that ugly TFL, I haven’t even had my coffee yet.....it not Halloween yet!

[@houstoncowdog]

My wife owned one of these when we met and we kept it until it was 6 years old. Our was actually a really good cars that had a lot of very positive attributes, they were very comfortable cars and very roomy inside. The best thing about them was the back seat was perfectly positioned to were rear seat passengers could easily converse with the front seat occupants and also had very good visibility. I think I sent our down the road when it got 75k miles on it because I was concerned the engine/transmission might not last very much longer.

[@zoefaith120]

I totally agree with you. When I watched them videos 3 years wow. I really wanted one. I saw some I my town, didn't get one. Barely, see them around.

[@Ultrafrozen]

Reminds me of all the love/hate for the Chevy Chevette / Pontiac Acadian back in the day. Friends that had one hated it and beat the crap out of them but they just wouldn't die.

[@BigMateo24]

I had a friend who had a Chevette. He hated it so much he literally drove it into a lake and left it. No joke.

[@Welcometofacsistube]

This is the car styling that the Japanese seem to have copied for the last decade

[@GATORADDAM]

Yep. My wife had to have one. We had a 2005 (last year they made'em). It was a decent car until I tried to tow just 1200 pounds with it. It shuttered and groaned and just wouldn't do it. After 5 years she moved on to another toaster, the Kia Soul.

[@Addimotive]

I definitely agree with your thinking that the design is not as polarizing as when it came out and that it “fits in” more now... The front end makes me think a lot of the Nissan Juke and the Hyundais you mentioned. And some of the features like the center console cooler were pretty cool! Loved that GM was already doing HUDs back in he late 90s, early 2000s. I love using the HUD on my 01 corvette for spirited driving

[@billjamison2877]

Rented one in Key West . Loved it!

[@RichardVac]

I never had one but I think it's different than the common vehicles. I particularly like different not the common, also had many cool features that the others didn't

[@thenicoletti]

This is one of my favorite cars. Been looking for one for ages

[@ColeSpolaric]

I remember when people were chasing it thinking it was a prototype because of the stickers!

[@justinrother5311]

Every person I have known that owned one of this has absolutely loved them. Fanatically

[@tedsmart5539]

Without Breaking Bad this car is nothing...

[@FordRangerJ]

Cool video! You should do the Avalanche too! I heard the first generation Ridgeline and Avalanche were to debut together and Honda was to get a V8 and then at the last minute, they went their own ways. Is this true?

[@allfamilyimportanddomestic8508]

I had an avalanche people give them alot of hate and I loved that thing very comfortable and practical loved the LS motor that was in it as well and when I did have to do some serious hauling I always had my f350 to fall back on

[@mikefoehr235]

TFL is BREAKING BAD. Is there a portable meth lab in it?

[@DaniTheNachoPirate]

The rear is like an Eclipse Cross, and the split headlight design is just starting to get quite popular. It was ahead of its time, but no-one understood at that point.

[@badgerpa9]

I really liked my Pontiac Montana put over 200K miles on it and wish I could find a nice one now.

[@freerider604]

Me too! Mine was the 2004 V6 Extended Van. That van was tough and had a ton of power!

[@williamegler8771]

My parents neighbor , a well respected fifty four year old pediatrician, bought one of these new. His previous car was a baby blue AMC Pacer. He would park in the driveway and it being bright yellow it certainly stuck out in a sea of somber silvers blues and blacks of the Volvo's and BMW's that most of the other people in the neighborhood drove. He still has it but it is parked in the garage and hasn't moved it years.

[@dangetsy6190]

I've always wanted one, but never had one, I still like it, even though it was highly criticized with its appearance, I've always thought it was unique. My question since it was related to the Buick Rendezvous, Rendezvous offered a third row seating, though the Aztek didn't, but could it have?

[@joshuasmith8130]

I loved my aztek

[@eas197419741974]

Love my Buick Rendezvous which is similar

[@brly4542]

It does look better now than it did when it came out. Kind of reminds me of a 2010 5 series with little Orange eyebrows

[@nicholassmith7048]

A lot of today's crossovers look like the Aztec. The Aztec wasn't horribly ugly, at least not by today's standards, it was just ahead of its time and people weren't ready for it. A lot of crossovers today are much more hideous. The Aztec was just an early and less refined version of today's ubiquitous crossover.

[@JWJTRAINOR]

This would be a perfect vehicle for you guys to convert it to electric and modernize it even with LED lights in the front or something too. Maybe an OEM looking touchscreen interface maybe update the gauges as well

[@womwom6774]

We never said it was bad, we just said it was ugly

[@MikaMizell]

About to be buying a 2wd Aztek for myself (AWD models are stupidly expensive now, so I'll transmission swap it with a junkyard AWD model eventually)

[@Inobscurity-n7j]

Fun video. That thing looks normal because it resembles a giant Prius.

[@bwarren228]

I wish Gold Mine Hill was still open

[@Dailyfiver]

I actually LOVE the style of these. Especially in yellow.

[@briansimpkins985]

mine is an 04 and metallic blue

[@howebrad4601]

Nice review. I bought a low mile used one because I knew it had good bones, but due to the looks the first owner took a bath on depreciation. Thus I got a lot of car for decent money. Frankly gm was just way, way too far ahead of the market. It looked too 2020 in 2005

[@brendenaerosmithfarr8226]

The 3.4 V6 is a very reliable engine. Granted you’ll have to do intake gaskets. We had a 2002 Montana And the intake gaskets went at 30k. After that trouble free

[@molskimauler]

Nobody said it was bad. Everyone said it was UGLY. Bad and UGLY are two different things.

[@The_04_Cherokee]

0:13 nice way to pull out in front of the AZTEC

[@laszlopalkonyay4133]

The Aztek was way ahead of its time in 2000 when it was introduced. Look at the current Hyundai Kona, Jeep cherokee or new SUVs they all look like the Aztek except they were launched almost 20 years later!

[@damiangutierrez9103]

It has a similar shape to the older Toyota prius.

[@adambuesser6264]

What is the Aztek good at and what is it bad at?

[@markpfeifer1402]

Breaking Bad producers: "Hmmm. What's the crappiest car we could put Walt into so as to show he's trying to keep a low profile? Someone go down to the used car lot and puck up a Pontiac Aztec!"

[@Silverback_GMT410]

I know you did not call GMT400 boring. They're perfect!!

[@stevevice9863]

The Aztek...Walter White's meth mobile.

[@michaelbrinks8089]

Back in 2000 I thought it was hideous. But but now it doesn't look that bad. Many new crossover 5 doors are just as ugly. If I had an AWD one, I'd make a front grill guard for it, put on a winch, maybe a skid plate, some all terrain tires & if it'd work, get the hinged swinging rear tire holder off an old Chevy Blazer to carry a matching spare wheel & tire. If the Aztek only comes with a little donut spare. With AWD all terrain tires, winch, built in air compressor. To deflate/reinflate tires, you could actually get through some pretty rough terrain. I'd turn into an AWD campervan similar to the lifted 4WD campervans you see. If I made an Aztec campervan out of it. I'd probably skip the spare tire holder and get a rear storage rack unless I could combine the 2.

[@geegergwisley7977]

My aunt had a first gen Pontiac Montana for years. And now has an 03 Chevy venture. I think they put 150k-200k on each of them

[@loua5539]

How could you forget to mention how much attention the Aztec got after Breaking Bad came out! Lol

[@jacobyo99]

And the Buick Rendezvous

[@DavidSmith-lo7wf]

Always said this design was just too much of a jump into the future in terms of design for people to grasp. It is not that far off some current designs

[@georgedrake811]

They were away ahead of the time now most new SUV look a lot like it

[@ExTrumpet]

I always thought the back end looked like a Prius. Which I hate.

[@chuckmuellerleile8729]

Has a bit of a Prius look to it

[@GoonieLord]

I've seen a few lifted

[@Blue_Flame_Raptor]

No wonder the new chevy trucks are so ugly

[@user-ow5xl8ug5u]

I have one I use it for a work vehicle every day i have my lunch in it’s cooler for a matter fact

[@rjlopezmr.p2216]

Buick Rendezvous was very closely related to this vehicle and i Loved it. The interior of the Buick was much better though t out than the pontiac

[@georgewilson1184]

Should have got one in Walter White green

[@burkiwa]

Just because some brands are now using a similar front end treatment does not make the Aztec or new models attractive.

[@BigCheese007]

The Aztek was ahead of its time.

[@calebphelps1836]

This should make a new one come back

[@LexusLFA554]

I can't believe that I am saying this: I want ONE. It will be tough to get it here in Germany though :/

[@gschweiger]

The interior packaging was outstanding and far better than many vehicles to this day. If only it had better styling, and possibly not marketed as a Pontiac. Even a generic Chevrolet version could have made it a better seller.

[@olilambert4416]

Yesssss !! They brought back the Aztek !

[@chrisss_xp9464]

The car is not bad… It’s Breaking Bad

[@gabesmath105]

why did walter crash his car? cuz it was breaking bad and carried a lot of speed 😂

[@noahmcdaniel4920]

If I TDI swap one of these, lift it and turn it into a camper van will you have me on the channel

[@briansimpkins985]

i have an 04 aztek that i have had for almost 14 years!! i got it when it had like 107,000 miles on it now it has almost 291,000 miles on it and its been an absolute amazing car...yes i had to replace or get the head gaskets fixed and a new transmission 5-6 years ago but overall having put 13-14k in it and having it for almost 14 years thats just like 1000 dollars a year not including tires oil changes and brakes....i use it as a car camping backpacking vehicle and its absolutely beyond reliable ..its been one of the best cars for my lifestyle i could ever dream of and honestly wish they would remaster or build more even if its just a few thousand because people now days would love it since so many people are into the van life and this would be sooo much more cheaper than a van then building it out..i took my seats out and i have a cot a little 3 drawer dresser and refrigerator a usb fan that i can connect to the cig outlet thats connected on the back of my drivers seat to keep cool during warm spring or summer nights so much room under the cot for like 3-4 storage totes for backpacking items, cooking clothes and other things u might need going down the road ..its a great little set up. Wish must of u all could see how it looks like its 5-10 years old rather than 20 and then the inside no stains nothing broken etc...im about to go on one last epic journey around the us here in a few days for like 2 months and 7-8,000 miles....

[@trabertgraneau3323]

Maybe the Aztec was ahead of its time as far utilities are concerned, but the designers shouldn’t have gone with the Montana platform

[@redbear_70]

It's a lot like me, big n ugly, but it's definitely a very functional vehicle and I'd love to own one. We do a lot of day and car camping and this would be perfect. Unfortunately they're not easy to come by, at least near here, but always keeping an eye out for one.

[@JoshOutdoorsGR]

I will never get why the 3800 was it the power train of choice for these or the vans of that era. You could have even had a GT version with the supercharger.

[@richfarfugnuven6308]

If GM brought this back, it would be popular if it was a good looking offroader with all of these cool options.

[@erickisel8668]

The thin air must be getting to you...

[@ericchartrand857]

Anyone realize that the new blazer is the new Aztec. The Aztec was supposed to be build like a camero well the blazer is a camero

[@EdgarRenje]

I think, it looks weird, because there are so many unused plane surface areas. We had similar cars over here in Europe, that seemed ahead of their time - like the Korean SsangYong Actyon, which as far as I know was the first SUC in the world, or the first generation Fiat Multipla. It is known for being the ugliest car sold in Europe. I mean, yes they look odd, but nobody should make laugh about them or even the owners. That's not fair.

[@R.Nelson]

Looks alot like what's out there today really

[@brettsuydam7457]

If they updated to modern drivetrain and amenities this thing would kill today.

[@louisbabycos106]

They would have hit out of the ballpark even if they upgraded the 3400 to the sc3800.

[@TheMotorPsych]

Although it's ugly as heck - You're right; think Prius - seems like Aztec's little sibling from the back

[@1970351C2V]

The Aztek designer is responsible for the new Silverado abomination? Everything makes sense now.