Enjoyable Cruising or Turbocharged Thrill

 The 2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser

The Chrysler PT Cruiser made a big splash when it first came on the scene, and was one of the initial ?retro? cars that have become so popular today. The PT Cruiser blends the elements of a sedan, wagon, SUV and minivan. For 2009 The Chrysler PT Cruiser convertible is no longer available. This compact car with a retro theme comes as a five-passenger, 4-door wagon in Base, Touring, and Limited trims. The Chrysler PT Cruiser combines an unmistakably classic look with modern performance, efficiency, and practical features.  The end result is a unique looking vehicle that falls into the ever growing ?retro but modern? category. For 2009, the PT Cruiser adds the limited edition Dream Cruiser Series 5, a factory-customized version with two-tone paint that includes a Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl painted roof and hoop spoiler. The cross-hatched, upper and lower solid billet aluminum grilles are individually milled and machined and 17-inch SRT Design wheels are added. Chromed body-side moldings and ?PT? door badges on the driver?s door and front-passenger door complete the look.  The Cruiser competes against Chevrolet HHR and Mazda3 hatchback.  It has a starting MSRP of $18,000 ? $24,510.

PT Cruiser Power

PT Cruisers have a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine. Base and Touring versions have 150 hp. Optional on Touring and standard on Limited is a turbocharged 180-hp engine. The Base offers manual or automatic transmission. Touring and Limited models come with automatic only. In all but the Limited model the standard engine is tuned to deliver 150 horsepower. A five-speed manual transmission is standard and a four-speed automatic is optional ($825).

Inside the Cruiser

The exterior retro theme is carried into the cars cabin space.  Somehow, the PT Cruiser pulls off a retro-inspired interior that at the same time looks and feels modern. Satin Silver accents highlight the instrument panel and center stack. Two bucket seats are installed up front, and a 65/35-split folding rear bench holds three. Outboard passengers have adequate space, but the center rear position is cramped. Removing the rear seat expands cargo volume from a moderate 21.6 cubic feet to a sizable 62.7 cubic feet. The front-passenger seatback folds flat, offering the ability to carry items up to eight feet long.

Chrysler PT Cruiser Drive

Driving the PT Cruiser is an enjoyable experience; it does well for a vehicle in this price range.  Body lean is much better controlled than in any SUV.  Acceleration with the two turbocharged engines is quick. Expect 20 mpg overall, 18 ? 21 mpg through the city and 24 ? 26 mpg on the highway. The ride is somewhat stiff, and the cabin is a bit noisy. The wide turning circle, flawed driving position, and compromised visibility are detractions. The rear suspension design maximizes cargo space, but the twist-beam rear axle bounces a bit on rough pavement and the chassis does not feel rigid.  The Cruiser feels heavy in quick stops, you can almost feel the high mass of the car try to continue in one direction as the front wheels turn in the other.  The PT Cruiser is definitely more of a cruiser than a sports machine. In spite of its height, there is little wind noise, almost no tire or road noise, and a just-audible whine from the drivetrain. The ride quality is generally absorbent in all models. The suspension feels better controlled with the Limited's 17-inch wheels and touring suspension, but these is little if any price to pay in ride quality.

2009 Design and Lineup

The 2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser only comes as a five-door hatchback/wagon Chrysler calls a sedan.  The base PT Cruiser wagon comes with AM/FM/CD/MP3 stereo; fabric bucket seats and floor console; tilt steering wheel; power windows; speed-sensitive power locks; remote keyless entry; engine immobilizer; tinted glass; rear window defroster, wiper and washer; 65/35 split folding and removable rear seat; trip computer; theft-deterrent system; rear spoiler; and P195/65R15 tires on steel wheels with wheel covers. The Touring wagon adds air conditioning; cruise control; YES Essentials cloth upholstery that Chrysler says is odor, stain, and static resistant; a six-way power driver's seat with lumbar adjustment; power mirrors; fog lights; and P205/55R16 tires on alloy wheels. The Limited model is well equipped with a leather-wrapped steering wheel, leather upholstery, heated front seats, a sunroof, a universal garage door opener, Sirius satellite radio, the touring suspension, and P205/50R17 tires.

Options and Packages

A Street Cruiser Sunset Boulevard Edition ($845) for the base wagon includes a sunroof, illuminated visor mirrors, map lights, rear privacy glass, P205/55R16 tires on chromed alloy wheels, chrome interior and exterior trim, and Street Cruiser and Sunset Boulevard Edition badges. Options include a 368-watt Boston Acoustics premium sound system ($695) that comes with Sirius satellite radio and is also available with a six-disc CD changer ($750 convertible, $800 Touring and Limited); a sunroof for Touring wagons ($795); heated front seats for the convertible and Touring wagon ($250); Sirius satellite radio for the base wagon ($195, including a one-year subscription); and Chrysler's UConnect hands-free cell phone link ($360) for Limited. Many of the standard features on higher-line models are also available as options on the less expensive models.

Summary

Safety features include dual front airbags; torso-protecting front side-impact airbags; and a tire-pressure monitor. The front belts have pyrotechnically charged tensioners, just like in luxury cars, to tighten the belts for the initial stages of an impact. The rear bench is equipped with child-seat tethers. Antilock brakes and traction control are standard on Limited.  For another view on the PT Cruiser check out Motortrend.com's review.This tall wagon has a versatile interior and secure, predictable handling. It is perfect for anyone looking for a vehicle with wagon like space and a very unique design. For more details pricing on specifications, click here.