2000 Pontiac Aztek review from North America

Air conditioner condenser developed a leak at 52000 miles. This is a very expensive part to replace fairly early in a car's life span. It is a dealer part, and we were quoted $600 for that particular repair.

Seats are not very well covered. For a vehicle marketed as rugged, you would think the fabric used on the seats would be more substantial. They are fraying badly in spots, under normal use.

Also the design of the seat means the outside edge of the bottom seat cushion itself is pinched between the occupants leg and the plastic trim on the side of the seat when entering or leaving the seat. Lots of wear at that point. Invest in seat covers early to avoid this particular problem.

The carpet around the fold down rear seats (Which we don't use much) has started to peel away. By that I mean the carpet backing appears to still be secure against the floor, but the softer fuzzy top layer is clumping and peeling. Looks like dry rot.

The plastic interior trim and dashboard seem to be easily scratched, especially the tailgate and door panels. Surface scratches are very visible on the light gray plastic.

The seal around the top of the windshield worked it's way loose. It made a flapping noise loud enough to make me pull over and check for a something caught in a wheel, or to see if I was dragging a pedestrian I hadn't noticed before. Easily fixed by myself and a tube of trim adhesive, but a few moments of panic at interstate speeds.

Original battery lasted exactly 3 years. Just long enough to cost full price to replace. Battery was very difficult to change due to it's location in the engine compartment. Gave no warning before it went bad either. Just would not start one afternoon.

Loose gas cap causes a "Check engine soon" light. Easily tracked down and reset by someone from an auto parts store.

The overall experience with the car has been good, until the air conditioner issue. Alabama in July with no A/C is no fun, no matter what you are driving. I have also spoken to 3 or 4 other people who have had the same condenser problem with this vehicle.

The handling is nimble, acceleration is lively, has a very responsive shifting. Passing gear is darned impressive. The car does what you tell it to, when you tell it to.

The interior is well laid out and the front seats are comfortable.

Driver controls are perfectly designed and laid out. You also have a commanding view of the road. The red instrument lighting takes a little getting used to, but is well done. I do have my doubts about the rather dinky looking electric side mirror adjustment knob, compared to the overall thick, substantial look of the rest of the vehicle, but so far, no problems. It is the only part of the car I handle very gingerly.

Your own turn signals are distracting. They are aimed so high, you could land aircraft.

Interior road noise level is reasonably good, considering you are rolling on truck tires. Factory CD player/radio sound great. Very easy to carry on normal conversation at highway speeds.

Interior space is good. Lots of legroom, even in the back for tall riders, though the rear seats only recline as much as coach class airplane seats.

Fuel economy has been surprisingly good for a vehicle of it's size and performance. We are averaging 26 miles per gallon on a roughly 50/50 mix of highway and city driving.

The only things we have had to do to it so far (58,000 miles) are front tires, brakes on all 4 wheels, a couple of signal bulbs, and the air conditioning, as previously mentioned. We have regular maintenance (Oil and air filters, oil changes) at a chain oil change shop every 3,000 miles. We use non-synthetic oil, and regular unleaded gas.

We have also found that this car has not retained it's value very well. It has a lot of miles on it, but the current value is about 60% of what we paid for it 18 months ago.

On the good side, it will never get stolen. It's too recognizable. Especially in yellow.