I promise not to spam my shit here. But, Car Bibles hasn't quite launched yet, but here's my first piece for our sister site, The Drive!
https://www.thedrive.com/news/38480/the-pontiac-aztek-didnt-fail-because-it-was-ugly-it-failed-because-it-was-lazy?fbclid=IwAR2UzufKCJ70ZwJLUs3_IBMaUJRMc0sL-eIyO3U9GKLchX8el_VqsBg-oQc
I agree with everything you said. The Aztek was/is horrible, especially to look at.
Spam away.
Its interesting however that the guys who worked on the Aztec thought it was a great project.
When it first came out, the local Rent-a-Wreck had a brand new bright yellow Aztek as one of their rentals. Made me smirk.
I admit though, I judge it purely on appearance.
Hot take! I agree with you. "Lazy" was GM's mantra in those days
Quote from: Speed_Racer on January 04, 2021, 03:34:58 PM
Hot take! I agree with you. "Lazy" was GM's mantra in those days
I don't even think it was lazy... If I remember it was suppose to be built on an off-road SUV platform and after much of the design was done someone in high up GM dumped it on a minivan platform at the last moment to save money.
A single bad management decision was what doomed it.
Quote from: Speed_Racer on January 04, 2021, 03:34:58 PM
Hot take! I agree with you. "Lazy" was GM's mantra in those days
At that time the domestic brands were driven by "bottom line" determination...aka "bean counters." It cost them, and the taxpayers, dearly.
IIRC the Aztek was initially better, but it was focused grouped into the dumb ugly design that we have today.
Quote from: Laconian on January 04, 2021, 04:54:45 PM
IIRC the Aztek was initially better, but it was focused grouped into the dumb ugly design that we have today.
Not really, it failed the focus groups. The Aztek's horribleness is entirely hogheaded GM management.
My in laws had one- so super spacious!
Quote from: AutobahnSHO on January 04, 2021, 06:03:04 PM
My in laws had one- so super spacious!
Hopefully it had tinted windows so people couldn't see them in it. ;)
This guy made an informative video about it. Seems pretty positive about the innovation and practicality behind the Aztec. Design-wise it's hideous.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjLXJpTR0Ro
Designwise, it could fit in with today's crossovers quite easily.
(http://momentcar.com/images/pontiac-aztek-2005-5.jpg)
It was almost $10k cheaper than the AWD minivan it was based on.
(https://s.aolcdn.com/os/ab/_cms/2020/04/09113815/Aztek-firebird.jpg)
I think the concept actually looked worse...
(https://static2.hotcarsimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/1999-Pontiac-Aztek-concept-car.jpg)
Personally I though the Buick Rendezvous was even uglier. I thought the Aztek was OK. It has a certain Subaru ugly Crosstrek charm about it. Especially in a bright color like yellow.
Yeah the concept looked like a Ssangyong Actyon (wretch). That Trans Am one is actually pretty cool.