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By Mitch McCullough
Retrowagon, and gangster convertible.
Introduction
The Chrysler PT Cruiser combines the retro look of late-'30s American iron with modern performance, efficiency and features. The PT Cruiser comes in two body styles, a versatile five-door model and a not-so-versatile two-door convertible.
After a significant facelift for 2006, the 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser remains relatively the same with a few additions to colors and features. New for 2007 are a few additional exterior colors and features, including a now-standard remote keyless entry on the base model and a standard console flood lamp on all models. The power liftgate comes standard for 2007.
The five-door model's tall body boasts lots of room for people and cargo. In fact, its interior volume and versatility compare well to a small SUV. Fold the seats down and you can carry an eight-foot ladder. Pull the rear seats out and you can haul a load of building materials or a big-screen TV. Yet the PT Cruiser is small and easy to park.
It's also easy on gas. The lower-level models are competitively priced, and we think they make the most sense. Turbocharged models put fire under the hood, but they're pricey.
The PT Cruiser convertible is one of the least expensive convertibles on the market. It looks like a chopped-top gangster-mobile with the top up and puts the wind in your hair with the top down. Roomy seats make it great for four passengers. Its trunk is tiny and awkward, however; in fact, we can't think of a trunk that's less convenient than the one on the Cruiser convertible.
The PT Cruiser doesn't fit within existing automotive marketing segments, but competes on some levels with the Chevy HHR, the Scion xB, and the Mini Cooper. Like them, it is essentially a car: The PT Cruiser is based on the Dodge Neon, a compact car noted for sprightly performance. So it drives like a car, though the handling is not as good. Cruiser is an appropriate name.
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