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2004 Pontiac Aztek Full Review
Date Published: 2/20/08
2004 Pontiac Aztek Review
A sport-appearance package and revised trim and color availability mark 2004 for Pontiac's slow-selling crossover SUV. Aztek is based on Pontiac's Montana minivan. It has four conventional side doors and a combination rear liftgate/drop-down tailgate. The Buick Rendezvous also shares Aztek's underskin design, but has a longer body, different styling, and seating for seven vs. Aztek's five. A V6 with automatic transmission is the sole powertrain. Aztek offers front-wheel drive with optional traction control or GM's Versatrak all-wheel drive. Versatrak lacks low-range gearing and isn't designed for severe off-road use. AWD Azteks come with antilock 4-wheel disc brakes and front side airbags. With front-wheel drive, ABS and front side airbags are available bundled together for $950; they also come in the 1SC option group. The new for 2004 Rally Edition appearance package includes unique interior and exterior trim, a lowered ride-height suspension, and 17-inch alloy wheels in place of the standard 16s. A newly available MP3 package upgrades the existing CD player to read discs recorded in MP3 format and includes steering-wheel audio controls. Also available are satellite radio, rear DVD entertainment, OnStar assistance, and leather seating. With the available Trailer Package, Azteks are rated to tow 3500 lbs. Available through dealers is a camping package with clip-on tent and fitted air mattress.



News
Don't be surprised if Aztek disappears soon. Word is that Pontiac plans no redesign for this slow-selling pseudo-SUV, so its days are certainly numbered. The end could come after the current model year.
2004 Pontiac Aztek Road Test
Pros Cons
Passenger and cargo room Interior materials
Interior storage space Brake-pedal feel (2WD model)
Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings
Acceleration

FWD AWD Class Average
5 4 4.8

Like its minivan parent, the front-drive Aztek has smooth acceleration and good midrange response, though no surplus of either. AWD version adds about 260 lb, feels somewhat slower in most conditions.
Fuel Economy

FWD AWD Class Average
5 5 3.8

Test front-driver averaged 18.7 mpg versus 19.4 for our AWD over more highway miles. Aztek uses regular-grade fuel.
Ride Quality

FWD AWD Class Average
5 4 4.5

Generally absorbent and well-controlled. Minivan roots yield better bump absorption than in most midsize SUVs. Some side-to-side body motion on uneven pavement. Heavier AWD model not quite as comfortable.
Steering/Handling/Braking

FWD AWD Class Average
4 4 3.7

More minivan than typical SUV. Unstressed in routine driving. Good cornering grip, but fast turns induce pronounced body lean. Front-drive model too easily buffeted by strong crosswinds. Stopping ability more than adequate with available ABS, but 2WD test model had mushy brake-pedal feel. Have not tested Aztek sans ABS.
Quietness

FWD AWD Class Average
5 5 4.4

Relatively low noise levels from all sources. Few SUVs are this quiet.
Controls

FWD AWD Class Average
4 4 6.2

Dashboard afflicted with unnecessary bulges, coves, and odd shapes, but location and design of gauges and controls is sensible enough. Cabin materials mostly budget-grade, a big letdown.
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

FWD AWD Class Average
7 7 6.4

Comfortable seats and positioning, though taller drivers may wish for more rearward travel. Thick roof pillars impede over-the-shoulder vision, and driver can't easily see front body corners. No rear wiper available, and the sloped hatchback glass is fast clouded by wintertime salt and slush. Minivan-low step-in eases entry/exit.
Room/Comfort (rear)

FWD AWD Class Average
7 7 5.6

Enough space for 6-footers. Bench seat is more springy foam than supportive padding. Passengers must twist their feet to get in or out, and large doors are cumbersome in tight spaces.
Cargo Room

FWD AWD Class Average
8 8 7.8

Cavernous and versatile. Optional console doubles as a cooler, doors have map pockets with twin bottle holders, rear bench easily removes in two sections, and the available rear storage tray is clever and useful. Aztek carries 4x8 plywood sheets with the tailgate lowered, but the gate doesn't lie completely flat and the large glass liftgate is heavy.
Value within Class

FWD AWD Class Average
4 4 5.1

Aztek is more comfortable than most truck-based SUVs and offers lots of nifty features for active types. But it can't venture far off-road. And it lacks the look and feel of quality, plus 2WD buyers must pay extra for the important safety tandem of ABS and front side airbags. At least continuing slow sales mean ready discounts on Aztek.
Total Score

FWD AWD Class Average
54 52 52.3
Scores for all Midsize Sport-utility Vehicles

Low Score
39
Average Score
52
High Score
66
2004 Pontiac Aztek Prices & Equipment
Model Prices
Prices Updated: 07/01/2004
Trim Name Retail Price Dealer Invoice Destination Charge
FWD Base 4-door hatchback $21,275 $19,467 $685
AWD Base 4-door hatchback $24,190 $22,134 $685
Price note: FWD denotes front-wheel drive. AWD denotes all-wheel drive.
Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.
NA = price note available, NC = no charge.
Rebates and Incentives
There are no rebates or incentives at this time.
Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.
Standard Equipment
Base
Powertrain
3.4-liter V6 engine, 4-speed automatic transmission.
Safety
Dual front airbags, daytime running lights.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Front air conditioning, power steering, tilt steering wheel, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, center console, cupholders, split folding rear seat, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/CD player, digital clock, tachometer, map lights, intermittent wipers, rear defogger, visor mirrors, power decklid release, automatic headlights, front floormats.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Theft-deterrent system, roof rails, fog lights.
Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
215/70R16 tires, wheel covers, AWD adds: all-wheel drive, front side airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, alloy wheels.
Optional Equipment
Major Packages
Retail Price
Invoice Price
1SB Option Group
FWD
$1,225
$1,090
AWD
$970
$863
Cruise control, removable storage console/cooler, cargo nets and tie-downs, rear floormats, rear privacy glass, alloy wheels (FWD).
1SC Option Group
FWD
$3,590
$3,195
AWD
$3,435
$3,057
Option Group 1SB plus traction control (FWD), front side airbags (FWD), antilock brakes (FWD), tire-pressure monitor, OnStar telematics system w/one-year service, upgraded upholstery, 6-way power driver seat, front-seat lumbar adjustment, leather-wrapped steering wheel w/radio controls, trip computer, compass, overhead console, driver information center, slide-out rear cargo tray, theft-deterrent system w/alarm, 225/60R17 tires.
Luxury Appointment Group
Base
$1,495
$1,331
Leather upholstery, heated front seats, 6-way power passenger seat, head-up instrument display. Requires 1SC Option Group.
Rally Edition Appearance Pkg.
Base
$695
$619
Color-keyed grille, chrome exhaust tips, badging, lowered suspension, 225/60R17 tires, unique alloy wheels. Requires Option Group.
Enhanced Storage Group
Base
$95
$85
Cargo cover, front-door utility packs, roof rack.
Trailer Pkg.
Base
$450
$401
Heavy-duty engine-oil cooler and alternator, load-leveling rear suspension, air-inflation kit. Requires Option Group.
Safety
Antilock brakes
FWD
$950
$846
Includes front side airbags.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Power sunroof
w/1SB
$695
$619
w/1SC
$285
$254
Deletes OnStar telematics system.
Dual-zone manual climate controls
Base
$195
$174
Includes rear climate controls and vents. Requires 1SC Option Group.
DVD Video Entertainment System
Base
$1,100
$979
Requires 1SC Option Group. NA w/power sunroof.
AM/FM/CD/MP3 player
w/1SB
$225
$200
w/1SC
$340
$303
Includes leather-wrapped steering w/radio controls, rear-seat radio controls, upgraded speakers. Requires Option Group.
AM/FM w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer
w/1SB
$805
$716
w/1SC
$695
$619
Includes leather-wrapped steering wheel w/radio controls, cargo-area radio controls, upgraded speakers. Requires Option Group.
Satellite radio
Base
$325
$289
Requires monthly fee, Option Group.
6-way power driver seat
Base
$380
$338
Includes sliding rear cargo tray. Requires 1SB Option Group.
Removable storage console/cooler
Base
$75
$67
Rear floormats
Base
$50
$45
Smoker's Group
Base
$30
$27
Ash tray, lighter.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Engine-block heater
Base
$35
$31
Requires Option Group.
Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
Trailer hitch
Base
$310
$276
Requires Option Group, Trailer Pkg.
5-spoke alloy wheels
Base
$295
$263
Includes 225/60R17 tires. Requires 1SB Option Group.
215/70R16 self-sealing white-letter tires
Base
$150
$134
Requires 1SB Option Group.
2004 Pontiac Aztek Specs & Safety
Vehicle Dimensions
Specification Pontiac Aztek 4-door wagon
Wheelbase, in. 108.3
Overall Length, in. 182.2
Overall Width, in. 73.6
Overall Height, in. 66.9
Curb Weight, lbs. 4043
Cargo Volume, cu. ft. 95.1
Standard Payload, lbs. --
Fuel Capacity, gals. 18.0
Seating Capacity 5
Front Head Room, in. 39.7
Max. Front Leg Room, in. 40.5
Rear Head Room, in. 39.1
Max. Rear Leg Room, in. 35.6
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Engines
  ohv V6
Size, liters/cu. in. 3.4 /204
Horsepower @ rpm. 185 @ 5200
Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm. 210 @ 4000
Availability Standard
EPA City / highway mpg
 
4-speed automatic 18/24
Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Safety Features
Antilock Brakes
Traction Control
Antiskid System
Front Side Airbags
Curtain Side Airbags
Rear Side Airbags
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
Test Pontiac Aztek 4-door wagon
Front Impact, Driver 3
Front Impact, Passenger 4
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Manufacturer's Warranty
Class Years/Miles Comments
Powertrain None/-- --
Bumper-to-bumper 3/36,000 --
Corrosion 6/100,000 --
Free roadside assistance 3/36,000 --
Free scheduled maintenance None/-- --
Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.
Built in: Mexico
Drivewheels: front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive
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