The other day, Sara and I were looking at the car in front of us. At first I didn’t really think anything about it. Then I noticed that it was a Pontiac Aztek.
This was the dreaded Aztek. One of the 50 worst cars of all time. Nay, one of the 50 worst INVENTIONS of all time! The Telegraph rated it as the #1 ugliest car of all time. And here I was looking right at it, and I didn’t even really notice.
I think this is due to the rise of the “crossover” vehicle, the cross between a car and an SUV. The interesting thing is that the Aztec was out from 2001 – 2005, and crossover vehicles got big in 2006. Coincidence? Or did the Aztek pave the way for the crossovers? Could it have been ahead of its time?
The thing is, I remember the Aztek as being SO UGLY. But it’s not anymore. Now when I look at it, I just see a regular old car. For example:
Pontiac Aztek
Ford Edge
Yeah, they’re different, but they’re not THAT different (I just pulled the Ford Edge out of a hat, I didn’t try to find one that was specifically similar to the Aztek. I’m sure I could have found a closer example if I would have spent time on it.) And crossovers account for about 22% of all vehicle sales (it was hard to find a good, solid number on that. The one I found was from GM).
So I think it’s time to admit we were all wrong, and Pontiac was right. I guess it really wasn’t THAT ugly. Sorry about making you the object of public ridicule and eventually putting you out of business. I guess it’s small consolation now, but you were right about crossovers after all.
-The American People
Shane Halbach 
I always thought that a Prius looks a lot like the Aztec did. And not too long ago, people thought that bell bottoms were ugly, but now they’re totally boss!
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Yes, both the Prius and the Aztek stem from the “large heinie” school of automotive design. But it turns out that, in fact, fat bottomed cars make the auto world go round. Who knew?
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I always secretly liked the aztek because I wanted to have a tent pop out of my trunk. Driving down the road throwing in half a tent, throwing charcoal and firewood everywhere.
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But GM has the a sport utility vehicle thats already a sales leader and recalls a vehicle that still horrifies carmakers and critics alike. That car is the despised an almost universally loathed vehicle that established the paradigm for the Terrain the crossover SUV a half-car half-truck concoction thats one of the fastest-growing vehicle categories. GM needs to remember the defunct Aztek because it represents the kind of risk-taking design that the post-bankruptcy firm will need to go forward.
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