It was ugly. It was hated upon for its looks but at the same time people appreciated its practicality and in a different market context, the Pontiac Aztek could have been GM’s Cybertruck back in the day.

No, we’re not here to write the Aztek’s obituary but to bring to your attention a particular couple of renders that might make the SUV’s haters reconsider their position.

The Aztek was an ambitious project concocted by General Motors

Aimed at the so-called Generation X, the Aztek was launched in 2000. GM said it would be able to push around 75,000 Azteks per year, but the model’s best selling year (2002) saw just 27,793 cars reaching new customers. And that largely due to the fact that Pontiac had to adjust the pricing after the September 11 terrorist attacks in 2001.

In its own way, however, the Aztek was daring. An exercise in audacity and ultimately courage, if you will, but nonetheless one that failed, despite official recognition from J.D. Power, for example, who deemed the Pontiac Aztek the “Most Appealing Entry Sport Utility Vehicle” in 2001.

As it goes without saying, Pontiac never offered a sportier version of the Aztek. The SUV had a 3.4-liter V-6 as the only engine option, mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. Output and torque, however, were unimpressive by all means: the Aztek made do with 185 horsepower and 210 pound-feet of torque.

Pontiac Aztec specifications

But what if Pontiac came up with a Trans Am version of the Aztek, inspired by the iconic Firebird? More specifically, an Aztek that would wear the iconic Phoenix on the hood and flaunt sporty bits and bobs, as well as a souped-up powerplant? Would that make you hate the Aztek a little less?

If you’re uncertain what to answer, maybe Abimelec Design’s renders will help you with that. The artist took a stab at Trans Am-izing the humble Aztek and the result actually works like a charm for the SUV’s contested design cues. As in, it makes it more handsome. A lot more handsome, that is, via flared wheel arches, front and rear spoilers, rear wing, and aftermarket wheels.

So, yay or nay? Make sure to shoot your opinion in the comments section below.