Pontiac's road to oblivion

What comes to mind when people think about the Aztek, though, is its appearance. And that's not fun at all.

A concept version of the Aztek, unveiled in 1999, shared most of the attributes of the car pictured here, but it had a lower, sportier profile. It looked unusual, sure, but in an interesting and fun sort of way.

But something happened to the production version. With its taller roofline, the same basic design turned into a rolling metal-and-glass freakshow.

The Aztek was an honest attempt to answer the question "What should a Pontiac SUV be?" at a time when every brand needed one. It may not have been "fun" in the sense we ordinarily associate with cars, but its versatility and flexibility were the selling points - you could even buy an optional tent attachment and go camping in it.

It's tough to get around the "crushed can" body, though. Ultimately, the Aztek was a flop despite rave reviews from those who actually bought one.

NEXT: 2005 - Solstice