2001 Pontiac Aztek: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

Pontiac's minivan/SUV crossover is aimed at young, sports-minded buyers. Aztek is based on the Montana minivan and uses the same V6 and automatic transmission. But it has four conventional side doors and a hatchback-type glass liftgate in combination with a drop-down tailgate. Base and GT models come with front-wheel drive or General Motors' Versatrak all-wheel drive without low-range gearing. The front-drive GT has traction control, and AWD models add 4-wheel disc brakes. Front side airbags and ABS are standard. GT options include heated leather front seats, two rear captain's chairs in lieu of a 3-person bench, a slide-out cargo-floor section with storage bins and rollaway wheels, and GM's OnStar assistance system. Available through dealers is a camping package with clip-on tent and fitted air mattress. Maximum towing capacity is 3500 lbs. Buick offers a version as the 2002 Rendezvous, which is longer and has three rows of seats.

COMPETITION

This is by far the hottest market segment right now. Crowded with more than 20 vehicles, midsize SUVs vary in size and type but nearly all seat five adults and offer V6 or V8 engines. Our Best Buy is the car-based Lexus RX 300. Though it lacks a low range in 4WD mode, it's the most carlike to drive and offers all of the versatility of a truck-based model.

Our Recommended choices are all traditional SUVs: the Dodge Durango, which offers optional third-row seating; the best-selling Ford Explorer clone Mercury Mountaineer; the Teutonic Mercedes-Benz M-Class; the utilitarian Nissan Xterra; and the refined but expensive Toyota 4Runner.