Chrysler PT Cruiser Review

2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser Limited Station Wagon Shown

Inspired by the panel vans of the1930s, the Chrysler PT Cruiser caused quite a buzz when it was first released in 2001. It was one of a few vehicles to herald the new retro trend and became an instant success. Seven years later, the hype surrounding the vehicle has faded but its utility and versatility are still intact. The PT Cruiser compares well to other compact wagons and convertibles, and consumers looking for a roomy vehicle that's also fun to drive should find the PT an affordable choice that stands out in a crowd.

Current Chrysler PT Cruiser

The Chrysler PT Cruiser is offered as a four-door wagon and a two-door convertible. The wagon comes in four trims with three engine options. The base and Touring levels come standard with a 150-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. There is also a 180-hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine as an option for the Limited and Touring models. The PT Cruiser convertible has only one trim level (base) and offers the same engine choices. A five-speed manual is standard on all models, and a four-speed automatic is optional.

The PT Cruiser wagon shares some components with the now-defunct Neon platform, but it's better than its DNA would suggest. It is versatile, with a maximum cargo space of 76 cubic feet, and there is ample seating space and headroom. The rear seats can fold down or be removed completely, providing the wagon with up to 26 different seating and cargo space arrangements, and the capability to carry items up to 8 feet in length.

In road tests, our editors have found the Chrysler PT Cruiser to be a sporty drive, especially when compared to Dodge's similarly sized Caliber. It handles well, with superlative steering feel and smooth overall ride quality. The only complaint concerned the sluggish performance of the base 150-hp engine, though the turbo engine options provide enough power and torque to pick up the slack. The PT Cruiser Convertible matches the wagon's drivability, although losing the roof sacrifices quite a bit of body rigidity -- it'll quiver and shake when going over sizable bumps.

Cargo space in the convertible is limited to 7.5 cubic feet (and 13.3 cubic feet with the rear seats down). The power top takes 10 seconds to retract and was designed with three layers to reduce wind noise while driving with the top up.

Past Chrysler PT Cruiser Models

The PT Cruiser is still in its first generation but Chrysler has made regular refreshes and special-edition models to keep its retro vehicle up to date. The turbocharged GT debuted for 2003 as an answer to critics who complained the base engine was not powerful enough. It was originally rated at 215 hp and received subsequent updates to reach a 230-hp output. It was discontinued after the 2007 model year. The 180-hp version of the turbo engine appeared as an option in the Touring and Limited trim levels for 2004, while the convertible arrived for 2005. The interior and exterior of all PT Cruisers were updated for 2006.

Other notables for potential used PT Cruiser buyers to consider include three Dream Cruiser special-edition models from 2002-'04.

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* Edmunds.com maintains vehicle data as far back as 1990.