New Car Review of the 2004 Pontiac Aztek Mid-Size Wagon

Description: Mid-Size Wagon
Base MSRP Range: $21,045 - $23,945
Invoice Price Range: $19,256 - $21,910

Pontiac tags Aztek as a sport-recreation vehicle and casts it as a multi-purpose machine to accommodate active lifestyles with room aboard for hauling recreational equipment.

A new Rally Edition sparks up the series with a look-at-me paint job in Fusion Orange, Black or Silver Metallic. It rolls on 17-inch chrome wheels, has the front suspension dropped and the front grille matching body color.

In the cabin, the Rally Edition brings power controls to the driver's seat with optional leather and special audio speakers in the cargo compartment with separate radio controls.

Aztek stocks standard FWD traction or the AWD Versatrak system. It detects tire rotational differences between front and rear wheels during low-traction conditions, then directs power to either or both rear wheels momentarily before actual tire slippage occurs at the front wheels.

Power is supplied from a 3.4-liter V6 that produces 185 hp with a four-speed Hydra-Matic 4T65-E automatic transaxle.