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2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser Full Review
Date Published: 9/05/08
2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser Review
PT Cruiser comes as a 5-passenger 4-dr hatchback wagon and as a 4-seat 2-dr convertible with a power-folding soft top. Both body styles offer base, Touring, and GT trim levels. The wagon also slots a Limited model below the GT. All have a 2.4-liter 4-cyl engine. Base, Touring, and Limited models have a 150-hp version. Touring and Limited are available with a 180-hp turbo variant. The GT has a 220-hp turbo. The 180-hp engine is available only with automatic transmission. The others come with manual or automatic. The GT's automatic is Chrysler's AutoStick with a manual shiftgate. Antilock 4-wheel disc brakes and traction control are standard on GT, optional on the Touring convertible and Limited wagon. ABS without traction control is optional on other models. GTs have a sport suspension and 17-inch wheels. The base models and Touring wagon have 15-inch wheels, the other models have 16s. Front side airbags are standard on Limited and GT, optional elsewhere except base convertible. Head-protecting curtain side airbags are unavailable. Options include satellite radio and Chrysler's UConnect, which uses the audio system as a hands-free wireless link to cell phones.

Competition
Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 17 classes based on size, price, and market position. Compact Cars comprise the smallest passengers cars. These vehicles range from tiny economy models to slightly larger popularly priced sedans, hatchbacks, and wagons.

Our Best Buys include the Chrysler PT Cruiser, Honda Civic, Mazda 3, and Pontiac Vibe/Toyota Matrix twins. Our Recommended picks include the Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra, Kia Spectra, and Toyota Corolla.
News
A planned makeover of the PT hatchback is expected to break cover during this winter's auto-show season, with sales likely underway by mid-2005. The convertible reportedly gets its own redo for model-year 2007. Both body styles keep PT's familiar basic design, but are visually freshened via a flattened nose, round headlamps, flared wheel openings and tidier rear-end detailing. We've heard rumblings that noise, vibration and harshness will be reduced, but we've not yet heard how.

Sources say a full redesign is on for the 2008 or '09 PTs. It involves a new platform that Chrysler has been working on with troubled Japanese partner Mitsubishi and that premieres with an all-new 2006 Dodge Neon. At one time this platform design was said to accommodate both front-wheel and all-wheel powerteams, but it's unclear whether that's still true. Regardless, the next-generation PT should reprise a wagon and convertible in various trim levels; a sedan might be added to broaden sales appeal. We also think the base engine will be a new U.S.-built 2.4-liter 4-cyl unit developed by Chrysler and Mitsubishi in concert with South Korea's Hyundai. A small V6 could show up at some point as a first-time PT option.
2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser Road Test
Pros Cons
Acceleration (turbos) Acceleration (nonturbo w/automatic transmission)
Passenger and cargo room
Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings
Acceleration

Limited, man. Limited, auto. GT wagon, auto. Touring conv, turbo Class Average
5 4 7 6 4.1

In the wagon, base engine is fine for around-town cruising, but weak on hills or in highway passing. It did 8.9 sec 0-60 mph in our tests with manual transmission; automatics are significantly slower. Convertible is slower yet, thanks to nearly 300 lb of extra weight. Turbos stronger on hills and when passing; expect about 7 sec 0-60 with GT wagon. The 180-hp turbo is a fine middle ground, providing good power with less turbo lag than GT. Automatic transmission responsive, despite some lurching downshifts.
Fuel Economy

Limited, man. Limited, auto. GT wagon, auto. Touring conv, turbo Class Average
5 5 5 5 6.7

Test nonturbo wagons averaged 18.5-23.0 mpg with automatic transmission, 18.3-22.1 with manual. Test 180-hp turbo wagon averaged 19.5 mpg, test turbo convertible 18.0. Test GT wagon with automatic averaged 19 mpg, test GT convertible 16.1. Chrysler recommends 91-octane fuel for GT's 220-hp turbo, 87 octane for other PT engines.
Ride Quality

Limited, man. Limited, auto. GT wagon, auto. Touring conv, turbo Class Average
6 6 5 6 4.6

Base, Touring, Limited models easily absorb most bumps, but Limited's slightly tauter suspension feels more controlled over freeway dips and humps. GT suspension and tires firm up ride even more and provide more road feel without undue stiffness. Convertible feels less prone to body flex than many 4-seat droptops.
Steering/Handling/Braking

Limited, man. Limited, auto. GT wagon, auto. Touring conv, turbo Class Average
6 6 7 6 5.4

Solid, stable. Good grip in turns from 16- and 17-inch tires. Fast corners induce noticeable body lean, but no tippiness. Steering responsive. Manual-transmission versions suffer mild torque steer--unwanted pulling to side--in fast acceleration. Wide turning circle frustrates low-speed maneuverability. All models tested had ABS. It furnishes strong stopping power, good pedal feel.
Quietness

Limited, man. Limited, auto. GT wagon, auto. Touring conv, turbo Class Average
5 5 4 4 4

Wagon is no noisier than the average compact car. Coarse pavement induces some road roar. Wind rush starts to intrude at 65 mph. Convertible only slightly noisier top up, and fairly calm top down. Engine in all versions never really sounds smooth, is coarse above 4000 rpm.
Controls

Limited, man. Limited, auto. GT wagon, auto. Touring conv, turbo Class Average
6 6 6 6 5.5

Retro-styled instrument panel has contemporary ease of use, though dashboard-mounted power-window switches are odd. UConnect easy to use and allows drivers to keep both hands on steering wheel. Most interior materials impressive for the price.
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

Limited, man. Limited, auto. GT wagon, auto. Touring conv, turbo Class Average
7 7 7 6 5

High body build provides abundant head room. Chair-height seats comfortable. Pull-down center armrest can interfere with manual-shift arm motion. Tall drivers may wish for more rearward seat travel. Wide doorways allow simple step-in entry. Clear outward sightlines in wagon, though rear headrests are minor obstructions. View to rear corners very restricted in convertible due to small rear window.
Room/Comfort (rear)

Limited, man. Limited, auto. GT wagon, auto. Touring conv, turbo Class Average
6 6 6 5 3.6

Wagon offers same chair-height stance as in front; 6-footers comfortable, uncrowded in outboard positions. Enough room for rear center-seater with a little squeezing. Convertible seats only two and offers a bit less space than wagon, but more than most other convertibles.
Cargo Room

Limited, man. Limited, auto. GT wagon, auto. Touring conv, turbo Class Average
7 7 7 2 3.9

Generous and versatile in wagon. Fold-flat front-passenger seat is handy. Modest space behind rear seat, but 65/35 split rear bench folds or removes to create a tall, wide cargo bay. Convertible's short, vertical trunklid restricts size of objects that can be carried and makes loading an awkward maneuver. But convertible's rear seatback folds to reveal a small pass-through, and cargo space is better than in most competitors.
Value within Class

Limited, man. Limited, auto. GT wagon, auto. Touring conv, turbo Class Average
9 9 9 8 5.8

Despite mediocre acceleration in nonturbo versions, PT Cruiser is roomy, comfortable, adaptable, and fun. It's affordable, too, and softening demand has made deep discounts common.
Total Score

Limited, man. Limited, auto. GT wagon, auto. Touring conv, turbo Class Average
62 61 63 54 48.6
Scores for all Compact Cars

Low Score
34
Average Score
48
High Score
63
2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser Prices & Equipment
Model Prices
Prices Updated: 03/10/2005
Trim Name Retail Price Dealer Invoice Destination Charge
Base 4-door wagon $13,530 $12,812 $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
Base 2-door convertible $19,405 $18,622 $640
Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.
NA = price note available, NC = no charge.
Rebates and Incentives
There are no rebates or incentives at this time.
Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.
Standard Equipment
Base wagon
Powertrain
2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, 5-speed manual transmission.
Safety
Dual front airbags.
Comfort and Convenience Features
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.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Theft-deterrent system, 195/65R15 tires, wheel covers.
Touring wagon adds to Base wagon:
Comfort and Convenience Features
Air conditioning, fold-flat passenger seat, power mirrors, power door locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/CD player, floormats.
Limited adds to Touring wagon:
Safety
Front side airbags.
Comfort and Convenience Features
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.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Rear privacy glass, fog lights, Touring Suspension, 205/55TR16 tires, alloy wheels.
GT wagon adds to Limited Edition:
Powertrain
2.4-liter turbocharged 220-horsepower 4-cylinder engine, traction control.
Safety
Antilock 4-wheel disc brakes.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Leather upholstery, power sunroof.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Rear spoiler, Sport Suspension, 205/50HR17 tires, chrome alloy wheels.
Base convertible adds to Base wagon:
Comfort and Convenience Features
Air conditioning, power mirrors, power door locks, remote keyless entry, illuminated visor mirrors, compass, outside-temperature indicator, map lights, power convertible top.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Deletes: rear wiper/washer.
Touring Suspension.
Touring convertible adds to Base convertible:
Comfort and Convenience Features
Cruise control, AM/FM/CD player, floormats.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Fog lights, 205/55TR16 tires, alloy wheels.
GT convertible adds to Touring convertible:
Powertrain
2.4-liter turbocharged 220-horsepower 4-cylinder engine, traction control.
Safety
Front side airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Leather upholstery, driver-seat power height adjuster and lumbar adjustment, leather-wrapped steering wheel, AM/FM/cassette/CD player, universal garage-door opener.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Sport Suspension, 205/50HR17 tires.
Optional Equipment
Major Packages
Retail Price
Invoice Price
Quick Order Group 2CK
Limited
$1,855
$1,707
Leather/suede upholstery, power sunroof, additional chrome exterior trim, chrome alloy wheels.
Light Group
Touring wagon
$350
$322
Illuminated visor mirrors, map and console lights, additional auxiliary power outlets, overhead console, compass, outside-temperature indicator.
Moonroof Group
Touring wagon
$1,100
$1,012
Light Group plus power sunroof.
Chrome Accents Group
Limited
$1,220
$1,122
GT wagon
$400
$368
Limited w/2CK Group
$210
$193
Chrome exterior and interior trim, chrome alloy wheels (Limited).
Powertrain
2.4-liter turbocharged 180-horsepower 4-cylinder engine
Touring convertible
$1,280
$1,178
Limited
$1,175
$1,081
Requires 4-speed automatic transmission.
4-speed automatic transmission
Base wagon, Touring, Limited
$825
$759
GT
$550
$506
GT includes manual-shift capability.
Safety
Front side airbags
Base wagon, Touring
$390
$359
Antilock brakes
Base wagon, Touring, Limited
$595
$547
NA w/2.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, Quick Order Group 2CK.
Antilock 4-wheel disc brakes
Touring convertible, Limited
$825
$795
Includes traction control. Requires 2.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Air conditioning
Base wagon
$1,000
$920
Requires 4-speed automatic transmission.
Power sunroof
Limited
$750
$690
Navigation system
Touring convertible
$1,200
$1,104
Limited, GT
$1,100
$1,012
AM/FM/CD player
Base wagon
$125
$115
AM/FM/cassette/CD player
Touring
$150
$138
AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer
Touring
$300
$276
Limited, GT
$200
$184
Infinity sound system
Touring/GT convertible
$565
$520
Satellite radio
Touring, Limited, GT
$195
$179
Includes one-year service. Touring requires front side airbags. NA convertibles.
UConnect
Limited, GT wagon
$360
$331
Hands-free cellular telephone link. Includes automatic day/night rearview mirror.
Leather upholstery
Touring convertible
$1,175
$1,081
Includes front side airbags, driver-seat power height adjuster, leather-wrapped steering wheel.
Driver-seat power height adjuster
Touring
$100
$92
Heated front seats
Touring convertible, Limited, GT
$250
$230
Touring requires leather upholstery, Limited requires Quick Order Group 2CK.
Cruise control
Touring wagon
$250
$230
Universal garage-door opener
Touring convertible
$90
$83
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Woodgrain Exterior Accents Group
Limited
$895
$823
Woodgrain exterior trim.
Rear privacy glass
Touring wagon
$350
$322
Engine-block heater
Base wagon, GT convertible, GT wagon, Limited, Touring convertible, Touring wagon
$35
$32
NA Base convertible.
Pearlcoat paint
Base wagon, GT convertible, GT wagon, Limited, Touring convertible, Touring wagon
$225
$207
NA Base convertible.
Metallic paint
Base wagon, GT convertible, GT wagon, Limited, Touring convertible, Touring wagon
$150
$138
NA Base convertible.
Rear spoiler
Limited
$150
$138
Chrome alloy wheels
Touring convertible, Limited, GT convertible
$700
$644
Touring requires 2.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine.
2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser Specs & Safety
Vehicle Dimensions
Specification Chrysler PT Cruiser 4-door wagon Chrysler PT Cruiser 2-door convertible
Wheelbase, in. 103.0 103.0
Overall Length, in. 168.8 168.8
Overall Width, in. 67.1 67.1
Overall Height, in. 63.0 60.6
Curb Weight, lbs. 3101 3303
Cargo Volume, cu. ft. 64.2 7.4
Standard Payload, lbs. -- --
Fuel Capacity, gals. 15.0 15.0
Seating Capacity 5 4
Front Head Room, in. 39.2 38.7
Max. Front Leg Room, in. 40.6 40.6
Rear Head Room, in. 39.5 36.4
Max. Rear Leg Room, in. 40.9 40.9
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Engines
  dohc I4 Turbocharged dohc I4 Turbocharged dohc I4
Size, liters/cu. in. 2.4 /148 2.4 /148 2.4 /148
Horsepower @ rpm. 150 @ 5100 180 @ 5200 220 @ 5100
Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm. 165 @ 4000 210 @ 2800 245 @ 2800
Availability Standard Optional Standard
EPA City / highway mpg
     
5-speed manual 22/29 --/-- 21/27
4-speed automatic 21/26 19/26 19/26
Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Safety Features
Antilock Brakes
Traction Control
Antiskid System
Front Side Airbags
Curtain Side Airbags
Rear Side Airbags
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
Test Chrysler PT Cruiser 4-door wagon Chrysler PT Cruiser 2-door convertible
Front Impact, Driver 4 NA
Front Impact, Passenger 4 NA
Rollover Resistance 4 NA
Side Impact, Driver 4 NA
Side Impact, Rear Passenger 5 NA
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Manufacturer's Warranty
Class Years/Miles Comments
Powertrain 7/70,000 $100 deductible per visit.
Bumper-to-bumper 3/36,000 --
Corrosion 5/100,000 --
Free roadside assistance 3/36,000 --
Free scheduled maintenance None/-- --
Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.
Built in: Mexico
Drivewheels: front-wheel drive

Tester's Comments
Vehicle Evaluated:  2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
Trim Level:  Touring wagon
Arrival Date:  04/19/2004
Engine:  Turbocharged dohc I4
Bodystyle:  4-door wagon
Transmission:  4-speed automatic
4WD/AWD:  No
Base Price:  $22,900
Price as Tested:  $26,310
Mileage at Beginning of Test:  937
Mileage at End of Test:  1284
Total Measured Miles: 
Total Fuel Used:  19.183 gals.
 

Major Options:  Inferno Red Tinted Pearl Coat Paint, Customer Preferred Package (Side Airbags, 4-Speed Automatic Transaxle, Color-Keyed Shifter Bezel, 2.4 Liter I4 DOHC 16-Valve Turbo Engine, Ampere Alternator, Color Front Fascia, Driver-Seat Power Height Adjuster

Consumer Guide® Fuel Economy:  18.09 mpg (what's this?)

Problems During Test: None


From The Back Seat
Kirk Bell This is one of the more practical convertibles on the market, given its decent rear passenger room.

Mark Bilek In general, PT ragtop is a great all-weather convertible with plenty of positive points. It isn't a sports car, but it's a wonderful top-down drive.

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