Chrysler PT Cruiser SUV Review
SUV Reviewer
The Chrysler PT Cruiser was a compact wagon that seated five people and was discontinued after the 2010 model year. It had a retro type of design reminiscent of the 1940s era that was attractive to many and made up for many of the vehicle's lack of performance and features. Its interior was designed to be easy to get in and out of due to due its chair-height seats and wide-opening doors and sufficiently large to provide generous cargo space.
Due to its being discontinued, the last model year of the Chrysler PT Cruiser was available in only one trim level, known as the Classic. It had many features that were part of other models from previous years. The Classic featured fog lights, 16-inch alloy wheels, full power accessories, a rear spoiler, air-conditioning, a tilt steering wheel, keyless entry, trip computer, and an audio system with four speakers, CD player and auxiliary audio jack. Options included a front passenger seat that folded flat, a driver seat with six power adjustments, front seats that were heated, a sun roof and satellite radio.
The engine in the Chrysler PT Cruiser was a 2.4 liter inline four cylinder engine that could produce150 horsepower and 165 pound-feet of torque. It came with a four-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. Fuel economy for the Chrysler PT Cruiser was rated at 19 mpg in the city, 24 mpg on the highway and 21 mpg combined.
The interior of the Chrysler PT Cruiser reflected the retro themes of the exterior, as evidenced in a steering wheel with a thin spoke and a round transmission shifter knob. However, some criticism was made of the inferior materials of the cabin and the poor build quality. Yet, the interior is spacious and is able to accommodate taller adults, with an elevated seat for the driver. Even those sitting in the second row are afforded ample space due to the slightly elevated rear seats. In order to achieve the 63 cubic feet of cargo space which the Chrysler PT Cruiser affords, the rear seats have to be removed completely and cannot be folded flat. The vehicle had a variety of shelves, platforms and cubbyholes for storing objects of differing size and Chrysler claimed there were 160 different seating and cargo configurations.
Safety features for the Chrysler PT Cruiser included optional anti-lock brakes and multistage frontal airbags for the driver and front seat passenger with side airbags as standard but side-curtain airbags which offer protection for the head were lacking. In 2008, the vehicle was rated "Good" for protecting occupants in a frontal-impact crash by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety but received a rating of "Poor" for side-impact crashes, even with the side airbags.
The 2010 Chrysler PT Cruiser no longer had an option for a turbocharged engine, leaving the available four cylinder underpowered making for limited performance. The vehicle handles well when driving around town but driving on hills and passing and merging on the highway somewhat lacking in energy. The four-speed automatic transmission was also outdated yet performed adequately and was sufficiently responsive.
Due to its being discontinued, the last model year of the Chrysler PT Cruiser was available in only one trim level, known as the Classic. It had many features that were part of other models from previous years. The Classic featured fog lights, 16-inch alloy wheels, full power accessories, a rear spoiler, air-conditioning, a tilt steering wheel, keyless entry, trip computer, and an audio system with four speakers, CD player and auxiliary audio jack. Options included a front passenger seat that folded flat, a driver seat with six power adjustments, front seats that were heated, a sun roof and satellite radio.
The engine in the Chrysler PT Cruiser was a 2.4 liter inline four cylinder engine that could produce150 horsepower and 165 pound-feet of torque. It came with a four-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. Fuel economy for the Chrysler PT Cruiser was rated at 19 mpg in the city, 24 mpg on the highway and 21 mpg combined.
The interior of the Chrysler PT Cruiser reflected the retro themes of the exterior, as evidenced in a steering wheel with a thin spoke and a round transmission shifter knob. However, some criticism was made of the inferior materials of the cabin and the poor build quality. Yet, the interior is spacious and is able to accommodate taller adults, with an elevated seat for the driver. Even those sitting in the second row are afforded ample space due to the slightly elevated rear seats. In order to achieve the 63 cubic feet of cargo space which the Chrysler PT Cruiser affords, the rear seats have to be removed completely and cannot be folded flat. The vehicle had a variety of shelves, platforms and cubbyholes for storing objects of differing size and Chrysler claimed there were 160 different seating and cargo configurations.
Safety features for the Chrysler PT Cruiser included optional anti-lock brakes and multistage frontal airbags for the driver and front seat passenger with side airbags as standard but side-curtain airbags which offer protection for the head were lacking. In 2008, the vehicle was rated "Good" for protecting occupants in a frontal-impact crash by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety but received a rating of "Poor" for side-impact crashes, even with the side airbags.
The 2010 Chrysler PT Cruiser no longer had an option for a turbocharged engine, leaving the available four cylinder underpowered making for limited performance. The vehicle handles well when driving around town but driving on hills and passing and merging on the highway somewhat lacking in energy. The four-speed automatic transmission was also outdated yet performed adequately and was sufficiently responsive.
I have owned 2 pt cruisers-both garbage. Premature failure of watts linkage, front end suspension, water pumps. When they start going, they go quicly. They will nickel and dime you to death. Got rid of one and the other one will be soon. FORGET ANY HELP FROM CHRYSLER.
I have a 2003 PT Cruiser - manual. Basic model. I bought it new and it has approx. 216,000 kim on it. I have loved it. I had no problems with it and no major repairs until 2008 when I had bearings replaced in back. In 2010 I had the front end redone - wheel axle, bearings, etc. It broke down on me last night - think it is the clutch. Waiting to hear. But I have loved my car. Only complaint I've had to replace the lock on the back twice - it seizes - and unless you keep to the speed limit it sucks gas ... but other than that, I would happily buy another.
I currently have a 2005 PT Cruiser with almost 250,000 km on it and I love that car. It is my second Cruiser and except for maintenance I have not had any serious issues. Recently I had the rear door locks replaced because they had seized. All cars are expensive to maintain.. I bought this one because I love it's appearance. I have been driving for over 40 yrs and this is the first time I bought a car purely for the shape.
I have an 2003 gt turbo, and it has been a blast to drive!It only has 46k on it.I plan to keep it for a long time!
My 2001 PT Cruiser was my first-ever car and bought brand new. I have loved it completely. It is peppy on the highway and easy to park. I love the retro styling (which is why I bought it) and I love the cargo space. Sadly, it is now starting to cost me $$$ and I am looking for an equivalent vehicle. There is nothing that equals the cool retro styling and terrific haulage capabilities of the PT Cruiser. Woe is me!
I have a 2005 PT, traded in a 2002. I, too, love the style, comfortable seating, cargo space, size, etc. However, I am beginning to have some costly maintenance issues (A/C going out!) and out of warranty! And low gas mileage is an issue as well. I don't know if a newer model would be the answer or not. I hate to relinquish the pros to ease the cons!
I guess the I do have an out of the ordinary 2001 Limited addition with leather, suede seats etc. Like new inside. Great wear? Where? It doesn't hurt on excelleration up hills and drives beautifully on long highway trips. It's easy to handle etc, etc, etc. It still turns heads and I get many compelments on it. It really does look noticeably better than the cheap models that followed. The car has 84,000 miles on it and runs every bit as well as it did when new. I do change the oil every 3,000 miles. I get 25mpg in or out of the city. I drive it plenty, up and down hills, two lane roads from Lake Arrowhead to Alpharetta,70mi daily.This car is a beast and my only dissapointment is that it apparently hasn't been reinvented to it's higher standards, and that to buy a new one would be a dissapointment. It also now has a further cross to bear, "OBAMA MOTORS" P.S. It's the only vehicle I've ever owned that I have yet to replace a headlight or a muffler, that's since delivery date Novenber 2000. I have the original spec sheet that came with the vehicle with the note that it was made for Bob Tewksbury etc in Mexico. It's the sharpest Red Pt with chrome wheels you'll ever see driving around Canton area. The best automobile investment I ever made, while paying the premium price at the time. Robert E. Tewksbury
I have a 2001 silver PT Cruiser Limited Edition that I got because I loved the retro body style plus a bonus in that it had purple & teal flames! It also has great interior space. The original purchaser traded it in because it didn't have any pep, so I got it Valentine’s Day 2002 with only 1,500 miles. It ran fine for me & I loved it! Then it started having problems in 2011. First was front tie rods plus alignment, then overheating & 2 places couldn't figure out why, so eventually told it needed radiator & thermostat which probably wasn’t true because in less than a month, blown head gasket! Amazing as it only has 59,000 miles!? I was going to have it fixed but not finding much incentive for that when searching online. It’s a $2,400 estimate which includes almost $400 for control arm gaskets, so I’m afraid what might go wrong next. So since before Christmas 2011, I have had a giant silver paperweight in my drive! Tired of riding the bus so I will probably research some other make & model, and hope I am lucky to get another great 10 year run! So many cars get over 100,000 miles--why not mine.