2001-10 Chrysler PT Cruiser | Consumer Guide Auto

Compact car; Built in Mexico

4-door wagon

transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive

Good condition price range: $2,400 – $11,500*

2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser

2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser interior

2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser

Pros:	Entry/exit Handling/roadholding Passenger and cargo room
Cons:	Acceleration (w/automatic transmission)

It’s hard to beat this affordable vehicle’s impressive combination of room, comfort, versatility, and driving pleasure. Mediocre acceleration is the only real flaw, though performance is actually on par with other small wagons. High demand has outstripped supply since the Cruiser went on sale, and they’re not cheap secondhand.

Overview

Even before the PT Cruiser went on sale in spring of 2000, it had become a big hit in the marketplace. Customers eagerly forked over well above sticker price to get one of the early examples of the retro-styled front-drive compact wagon, which looked like nothing else at any dealership.

PT stood for Personal Transportation, and the four-door Cruiser provided precisely that–plus a lot of enthusiastic responses from other motorists on the road. Minor changes took place in fall 2000, including availability of heated front seats and yellow pearl paint.

Classified as a truck under federal fuel-economy regulations, the five-passenger PT Cruiser was designed to blend carlike comfort and roadability with practical features borrowed from minivans and SUVs. In size, it compared to the Honda CR-V, with a similar wheelbase and only 2 cubic feet less cargo volume–despite standing some 2 inches lower and measuring nearly 9 inches shorter overall.

An all-new unibody platform was used, but some mechanical components were similar to those in the subcompact Neon sedan. Sole engine was a 150-horsepower version of the familiar 2.4-liter four-cylinder, linked to a five-speed manual or optional four-speed automatic transmission.

Standard equipment included a removable 65/35 split folding rear seat, multi-position rear parcel shelf, air conditioning, tilt wheel, floor-shift console, and rear wiper/washer on a one-piece liftgate. An optional Touring Group included a firmer suspension and 16-inch tires, rather than the usual 15-inchers. With optional antilock braking (bundled with traction control), four-wheel discs supplanted the standard rear drums. Side-impact airbags were an option.

Limited Edition models included the Touring Group, leather upholstery, a power moonroof, and fold-flat front passenger seat. Front and rear power windows were standard. In early models, rear windows were controlled by console switches. Later examples got dashboard controls. Rivals include the Honda CR-V, Subaru Outback, and Volkswagen Passat wagon.

Yearly Updates

2002 PT Cruiser
Still a hot seller in its second season, the PT Cruiser got newly optional flame accent decals for the hood and front fenders. Base, Touring and Limited Editions were offered. Base models added some previously optional items as standard equipment, including a CD player and underseat storage bin. Adjustable driver’s lumbar support went on the Limited. Side-impact airbags were standard on the Limited and optional on others. Antilock braking remained an option.

2003 PT Cruiser
A new turbocharged GT had 215 horsepower and 17-inch wheels. Chrysler markets it as the “PT Turbo.” Manual transmission is standard, automatic optional on. Flame decals, a chrome-trim package, or a woodgrain-body-applique “woodie” look were optional.

2004 PT Cruiser
New for ’04 was a 180-hp 2.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylider engine, optional on Touring and Limited models.

2005 PT Cruiser
The PT Cruiser is unchanged for 2005.

2006 PT Cruiser
All ’06 PTs got revised front fascias and dashboards.

2007 PT Cruiser
PT Cruiser carried over unchanged.

2008 PT Cruiser
The 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser dropped the high-performance GT models from its roster. Available on base wagons was a new Street Cruiser Sunset Boulevard Edition package that included a sunroof and unique interior and exterior trim.

2009 PT Cruiser
The PT lost its convertible body style for 2009 but was otherwise little changed.

2010 PT Cruiser
The 2010 Chrysler PT Cruiser lineup shrank to a single base model and lost its available turbocharged engine.

dohc I4
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches)	2.4/148
Engine HP	150
Engine Torque (lb-ft)	162

Avail. Trans.	EPA MPG (city/hwy)	MPG avg. as tested
5-speed manual 4-speed automatic	20/26 20/25	21.7 23

dohc I4

Engine Size (liters/cubic inches)

2.4/148

Engine HP

150

Engine Torque (lb-ft)

162

Avail. Trans.

EPA MPG (city/hwy)

MPG avg. as tested

5-speed manual
4-speed automatic

20/26
20/25

21.7
23

Turbocharged dohc I4
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches)	2.4/148
Engine HP	180
Engine Torque (lb-ft)	210

Avail. Trans.	EPA MPG (city/hwy)	MPG avg. as tested
4-speed automatic	19/25

Turbocharged dohc I4

Engine Size (liters/cubic inches)

2.4/148

Engine HP

180

Engine Torque (lb-ft)

210

Avail. Trans.

EPA MPG (city/hwy)

MPG avg. as tested

4-speed automatic

19/25

Turbocharged dohc I4
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches)	2.4/148
Engine HP	215-230
Engine Torque (lb-ft)	245

Avail. Trans.	EPA MPG (city/hwy)	MPG avg. as tested
5-speed manual 4-speed automatic	21/27 19/25	19.0

Turbocharged dohc I4

Engine Size (liters/cubic inches)

2.4/148

Engine HP

215-230

Engine Torque (lb-ft)

245

Avail. Trans.

EPA MPG (city/hwy)

MPG avg. as tested

5-speed manual
4-speed automatic

21/27
19/25

19.0

Ratings

Model Tested: 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser Limited

Ratings values are on a 1-10 scale, with 10 being the best. With the exception of Value, these numbers reflect how the vehicle compares against the universe of vehicles, not just against rivals in its class.

Performance

Acceleration - 5

50%

Fuel Economy - 5

50%

Ride Quality - 5

50%

Steering/Handling - 6

60%

Quietness - 4

40%

Accommodations

Controls/Materials - 5

50%

Room/Comfort Front - 7

70%

Room/Comfort Rear - 6

60%

Cargo Room - 7

70%

Other

Value - 8

80%

Total: 58

Safety Ratings

Model Tested: N/A

NHTSA

(5 is the highest rating)

Front Impact Test

Driver Injury - N/A

N/A0%

Front Passenger Injury - N/A

N/A0%

Side Impact Test

Driver Injury - N/A

N/A0%

Rear Passenger Injury - N/A

N/A0%

HLDI

(A score of 100 is average. Lower is better)

Collision	N/A
Injury	N/A
Theft	N/A

Class:	Compact Car
Category:
Type:	front-wheel drive, 4-door wagon
Base Price:	$ 15,935
Similar to:
Also Consider:	Honda CR-V, Subaru Outback, Volkswagen Passat
Built in:	Mexico
Powertrain Layout:	Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive	2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser

Highlights: – Char count:606
Chrysler’s retro “category buster” compact combines carlike design with minivan and SUV features. PT Cruiser seats five, and size-wise compares to Honda’s CR-V compact SUV. Some mechanical components are similar to those in the subcompact Dodge Neon. Sole engine is 2.4-liter 4-cyl with 5-speed manual or optional 4-speed automatic transmission. ABS and front-side airbags are optional. An optional Touring Group includes a firmer suspension and 16-inch wheels instead of 15s. Limited Edition package includes the Touring Group, plus leather upholstery, power sunroof, and a fold-flat front passenger seat.	Update
First Spin: – Char count:
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Deep Drive: – Char count:
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What’s Cool: – Char count:
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What’s Not: – Char count:
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For:	Against:
Handling/roadholding, Entry/exit, Passenger and cargo room	Acceleration w/automatic transmission

Specifications
Specification Title	4-door wagon
Body Style Description
Wheelbase, in.	103.0
Overall Length, in.	168.8
Overall Width, in.	67.1
Overall Height, in.	63.0
Curb Weight, lbs.	3123
Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	64.2
Standard Payload, lbs.	—
Fuel Capacity, gals.	15.0
Seating Capacity	5.0
Front Head Room, in.	40.4
Max. Front Leg Room, in.	40.6
Rear Head Room, in.	39.6
Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	40.8

2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser	Pricing Effective: 05/20/2002
Model Pricing	Retail Price	Dealer Price	Destination
Base 4-door wagon	$ 16,450	$ 15,470	$ 590
Touring Edition 4-door wagon	18,165	17,030	590
Limited Edition 4-door wagon	20,515	19,169	590
Price Note:

Overview

Yearly Updates

Engines

Road Test

Performance

Accommodations

Other

Total: 58

Specifications

NHTSA

HLDI

Trouble Spots

Recall History

Equipment Lists

Pricing

Fine for around-town cruising, but weak on hills or in highway passing. Automatic transmission is pretty responsive, but sometimes lurches in downshifts.	Update

Averaged 18.5-23.0 mpg in our tests with automatic trans; 5-speed averaged 21.7.	Update

We haven’t tested the base suspension. Firmer Touring setup is comfortably controlled, except on washboard surfaces, where it tends to jiggle.	Update

Solid, stable handling without top-heavy tippiness. Steering is responsive, appropriately assisted. Extra-cost antilock 4-wheel discs furnish strong stopping power, good pedal feel.	Update

Slightly quieter overall than a compact SUV. Coarse pavement induces some road roar with the Touring Group tires, wind noise starts to intrude at 65 mph, and the engine sounds coarse above 4000 rpm.	Update

Dashboard is retro styled, but with contemporary ease of use. Materials seem more upscale than Cruiser’s price suggests. Outward sightlines are clear, although rear head restraints are a minor obstruction.	Update

High body build provides abundant head room even with sunroof. Seats are comfortably chair-height. Step-in is no higher than a typical car’s.	Update

Same chair-height stance as front; 6-footers are comfortable and uncrowded in outboard positions. Enough room for a rear center-seater with a little crowding.	Update

Generous and versatile, especially with available fold-flat front passenger seat. Modest space behind rear seat but it folds and removes as in minivans and SUVs.	Update

Roomy, comfortable, adaptable, and fun. Mediocre acceleration is the only flaw. Affordable too, but strong demand keeps prices high.	Update

Towhaul – Char count:75
PT Cruiser’s payload capacity is 865 lbs. Trailering capacity is 1000 lbs.	Update

Name:	dohc I4
Displacement Liter/Cu In:	2.4/148
HP @ RPM:	150@5500
Torque @ RPM:	162@4000
Availability:	Standard
4-speed automatic	20/26
5-speed manual	20/25

Standard Equipment
Base : 2.4-liter dohc 4-cylinder engine, 5-speed manual transmission, dual front airbags, air conditioning, power steering, tilt steering wheel, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, under-seat storage bin, center console, cupholders, split folding rear seat, power windows, AM/FM/CD player, digital clock, tachometer, rear defogger, intermittent rear wiper/washer, visor mirrors, variable-intermittent wipers, floormats, 195/65TR15 tires, wheel covers
Touring Edition adds: heated power mirrors, power door locks, remote keyless entry, fold-flat passenger seat, illuminated visor mirrors, overhead console, map lights, theft-deterrent system, deep-tinted rear glass, fog lights, Touring Suspension, 205/55TR16 tires, alloy wheels
Limited Edition adds: front side airbags, leather/suede upholstery, driver-seat power height adjuster and lumbar adjustment, leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control, power sunroof, chrome alloy wheels

Optional Equipment
Option Note:
Major Packages
Option	Avail.	Retail	Dealer
Dream Cruiser Series 1 Quick Oder Pkg.	Limited	$2340	$2153
Traction control, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, special leather upholstery, heated front seats, AM/FM/cassette/CD player, badging, body-colored bumpers, Inca Gold exterior paint, unique chrome alloy wheels.
Power Conveninece Group	Base	570	524
Heated power mirrors, power door locks, remote keyless entry.
Light Group	Base	300	276
Mfr. Disc.		250	230
Illuminated visor mirrors, map and console lights, additional auxiliary power outlets.
Powertrain
Option	Avail.	Retail	Dealer
4-speed automatic transmission		825	759
Safety
Option	Avail.	Retail	Dealer
Front side airbags	Base, Touring Edition	350	322
Antilock Braking System		790	727
Mfr. Disc.		595	548
Antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, traction control.
Comfort & Convenience Features
Option	Avail.	Retail	Dealer
Power sunroof	Base	895	823
Mfr. Disc.		845	777
Power sunroof	Touring	595	547
Base includes Light Group.
Cruise control	Base, Touring	235	216
AM/FM/cassette/CD player		100	92
Driver-seat power height adjuster	Touring	100	92
Heated front seats	Limited, Dream Cruiser	250	230
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Option	Avail.	Retail	Dealer
Woodgrain Exterior Accents Group		895	823
Woodgrain exterior trim.
Flame accent decals		495	455
Deep-tinted glass	Base	275	253
Roof rack		175	161
Engine block heater		35	32
Special paint		200	184
Chrome alloy wheels	Touring	600	552

2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser	Pricing Effective: 05/09/2003
Model Pricing	Retail Price	Dealer Price	Destination
Base 4-door wagon	$ 17,130	$ 16,088	$ 590
Touring Edition 4-door wagon	19,075	17,858	590
Limited Edition 4-door wagon	21,315	19,897	590
GT 4-door wagon	22,840	21,284	590
Price Note: GT requires Quick Order Pkg.

Standard Equipment
Base : 2.4-liter dohc 4-cylinder engine, 5-speed manual transmission, dual front airbags, air conditioning, power steering, tilt steering wheel, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, fold-flat passenger seat, under-seat storage bin, center console, cupholders, split folding rear seat, power windows, AM/FM/CD player, digital clock, tachometer, rear defogger, intermittent rear wiper/washer, visor mirrors, variable-intermittent wipers, rear cargo shelf, floormats, 195/65R15 tires, wheel covers
Touring Edition adds: cruise control, power mirrors, power door locks, remote keyless entry, illuminated visor mirrors, overhead console, outside-temperature indicator, compass, map lights, theft-deterrent system, deep-tinted rear glass, fog lights, Touring Suspension, 205/55TR16 tires, alloy wheels
Limited Edition adds: front side airbags, leather/suede upholstery, driver-seat power height adjuster and lumbar adjustment, leather-wrapped steering wheel, AM/FM/cassette/CD player, power sunroof, chrome alloy wheels
GT adds to Touring: 2.4-liter dohc turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, traction control, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, leather-wrapped steering wheel, Sport Suspension, 205/50R17 tires

2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser	Pricing Effective: 05/06/2004
Model Pricing	Retail Price	Dealer Price	Destination
2004 Base 4-door wagon	$ 17,490	$ 16,416	$ 590
2004 Touring 4-door wagon	19,265	18,031	590
2004 Limited 4-door wagon	21,505	20,070	590
2004 GT 4-door wagon	25,460	23,669	590
Price Note:

Standard Equipment
Base : 2.4-liter dohc 4-cylinder engine, 5-speed manual transmission, dual front airbags, air conditioning, power steering, tilt steering wheel, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, fold-flat passenger seat, under-seat storage bin, center console, cupholders, split folding rear seat, power windows, AM/FM/CD player (wagon), digital clock, tachometer, rear defogger, rear wiper/washer (wagon), visor mirrors (wagon), variable-intermittent wipers, power convertible top (convertible), floormats, theft-deterrent system, 195/65R15 tires, wheel covers
Touring adds: cruise control, power mirrors, power door locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/CD player, illuminated visor mirrors, overhead console, outside-temperature indicator, compass, map lights, deep-tinted rear glass (wagon), fog lights, Touring Suspension, 205/55TR16 tires, alloy wheels
Limited adds: front side airbags, leather/suede upholstery, driver-seat power height adjuster and lumbar adjustment, leather-wrapped steering wheel, AM/FM/cassette/CD player, power sunroof, chrome alloy wheels
GT adds: 2.4-liter turbocharged 220-horsepower 4-cylinder engine, traction control, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, leather upholstery, rear spoiler (wagon), Sport Suspension, 205/50HR17 tires

2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser	Pricing Effective: 03/10/2005
Model Pricing	Retail Price	Dealer Price	Destination
Base 4-door wagon	$ 13,530	$ 12,812	$ 640
Base 2-door convertible	19,405	18,622	640
Touring 4-door wagon	15,565	14,664	640
Touring 2-door convertible	23,175	21,664	640
Limited 4-door wagon	17,565	16,484	640
GT 4-door wagon	23,065	21,489	640
GT 2-door convertible	27,930	25,991	640
Price Note:

Standard Equipment
Base wagon : 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, 5-speed manual transmission, dual front airbags, power steering, tilt steering wheel, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, center console, cupholders, split folding rear seat, power windows, AM/FM/cassette, digital clock, tachometer, variable-intermittent wipers, visor mirrors, rear defogger, rear wiper/washer, theft-deterrent system, 195/65R15 tires, wheel covers
Touring wagon adds: air conditioning, fold-flat passenger seat, power mirrors, power door locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/CD player, floormats
Limited adds: front side airbags, cruise control, driver-seat power height adjuster and lumbar adjustment, leather-wrapped steering wheel, AM/FM/cassette/CD player, compass, outside-temperature indicator, universal garage-door opener, illuminated visor mirrors, rear privacy glass, fog lights, Touring Suspension, 205/55TR16 tires, alloy wheels
GT wagon adds: 2.4-liter turbocharged 220-horsepower 4-cylinder engine, traction control, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, leather upholstery, power sunroof, rear spoiler, Sport Suspension, 205/50HR17 tires, chrome alloy wheels
Base convertible adds to Base wagon: air conditioning, power mirrors, power door locks, remote keyless entry, illuminated visor mirrors, compass, outside-temperature indicator, map lights, power convertible top, Touring Suspension, (Deletes rear wiper/washer)
Touring convertible adds: cruise control, AM/FM/CD player, floormats, fog lights, 205/55TR16 tires, alloy wheels
GT convertible adds: 2.4-liter turbocharged 220-horsepower 4-cylinder engine, traction control, front side airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, leather upholstery, driver-seat power height adjuster and lumbar adjustment, leather-wrapped steering wheel, AM/FM/cassette/CD player, universal garage-door opener, Sport Suspension, 205/50HR17 tires

2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser	Pricing Effective: 05/26/2006
Model Pricing	Retail Price	Dealer Price	Destination
Base 4-door wagon	$ 14,485	$ 13,681	$ 640
Base 2-door convertible	19,890	19,073	640
Touring 4-door wagon	16,480	15,497	640
Touring 2-door convertible	23,605	22,056	640
Limited 4-door wagon	18,895	17,694	640
GT 4-door wagon	23,645	22,017	640
GT 2-door convertible	29,060	27,020	640
Price Note:

Standard Equipment
Base wagon : 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, 5-speed manual transmission, dual front airbags, power steering, tilt steering wheel, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, center console, cupholders, split folding rear seat, power windows, power door locks, AM/FM/CD player, analog clock, tachometer, variable-intermittent wipers, visor mirrors, rear defogger, rear wiper/washer, theft-deterrent system, rear spoiler, 195/65R15 tires, wheel covers
Base convertible adds: air conditioning, power mirrors, remote keyless entry, illuminated visor mirrors, map lights, power convertible top, Touring Suspension, (Deletes rear/wiper washer)
Touring adds to Base wagon: air conditioning, fold-flat passenger seat, power mirrors, remote keyless entry, power convertible top (convertible), illuminated visor mirrors, map lights, floormats, Touring Suspension, 205/55R16 tires (convertible), alloy wheels (convertible), (Deletes rear wiper washer (convertible), rear spoiler (convertible))
Limited adds: front side airbags, cruise control, power driver seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel, power sunroof, universal garage door opener, rear privacy glass, fog lights, 205/55TR16 tires, alloy wheels
GT adds: 2.4-liter turbocharged 220-horsepower 4-cylinder engine, traction control, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, leather upholstery, Sport Suspension, 205/50HR17 tires, chrome alloy wheels, (Deletes power sunroof (convertible), rear privacy glass (convertible))

2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser	Pricing Effective: 02/22/2007
Model Pricing	Retail Price	Dealer Price	Destination
Base 4-door wagon	$ 14,765	$ 13,936	$ 640
Base 2-door convertible	19,965	19,142	640
Touring 4-door wagon	17,110	16,070	640
Touring 2-door convertible	23,730	22,169	640
Limited 4-door wagon	19,325	18,086	640
GT 4-door wagon	23,975	22,317	640
GT 2-door convertible	29,185	27,133	640
Price Note: Touring convertible requires 2.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, 4-speed automatic transmission.

2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser	Pricing Effective: 05/02/2008
Model Pricing	Retail Price	Dealer Price	Destination
Base 4-door wagon	$ 15,285	$ 14,409	$ 670
Base 2-door convertible	18,430	17,346	670
Touring 4-door wagon	19,200	17,972	670
Limited 4-door wagon	22,930	21,366	670
Price Note:

2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser	Pricing Effective: 03/03/2009
Model Pricing	Retail Price	Dealer Price	Destination
Base 4-door wagon	$ 18,000	$ 16,950	$ 720
Touring 4-door wagon	20,780	19,508	720
Limited 4-door wagon	24,510	22,939	720
Price Note:

Standard Equipment
Base : 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, 5-speed manual transmission, dual front airbags, front side airbags, tire-pressure monitor, air conditioning, tilt steering wheel, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, center console, split folding rear seat, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/CD player, tachometer, trip computer, variable-intermittent wipers, rear defogger, rear wiper/washer, theft-deterrent system, rear spoiler, 195/65R15 tires, wheel covers
Touring adds: 4-speed automatic transmission, cruise control, 6-way power driver seat w/lumbar adjustment, fold-flat passenger seat, power mirrors, satellite radio, illuminated visor mirrors, floormats, rear privacy glass, fog lights, 205/55R16 tires, alloy wheels
Limited adds: 2.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, traction control, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, leather-wrapped steering wheel, leather upholstery, heated front seats, power sunroof, universal garage door opener, Touring Suspension, 205/50R17 tires, polished alloy wheels

2010 Chrysler PT Cruiser	Pricing Effective: 05/21/2010
Model Pricing	Retail Price	Dealer Price	Destination
Base 4-door wagon	$ 18,275	$ 17,801	$ 720
Price Note: