2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Minor styling revisions mark Chrysler's retro compact for 2006. PT Cruiser comes as a five-passenger 4-dr wagon and as a four-seat 2-dr convertible with a power-folding soft top. Wagons come in base, Touring, Limited, and GT versions; convertibles in base, Touring, and GT guise. All have 4-cyl engines of 150, 180, or 220 hp, depending on model selection. The 180- and 220-hp engines are turbocharged. Automatic transmission is standard on 180-hp models; others offer manual or automatic. The GT's automatic includes a manual shift gate. ABS is standard on GT, optional on others. GTs add traction control and sport suspension. Front side airbags are standard on Limited and GT, optional elsewhere. Curtain side airbags are unavailable. All '06 PTs have revised front fascias and dashboards.

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 Chrysler PT Cruiser, Honda Civic, Mazda 3, and Pontiac Vibe/Toyota Matrix twins. Our Recommended picks include Chevrolet Cobalt, Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra, Kia Spectra, and Toyota Corolla.

New or significantly redesigned models include Chevrolet HHR, Hyundai Accent, Kia Rio, and Volkswagen Golf and Jetta.

News

A fully redesigned PT Cruiser is now expected for model-year 2008 or '09. It's likely to be a retro-style reskin of the 2007 Dodge Caliber sportwagon, which should mean identical powerteams, including a possible first-time all-wheel-drive option. No word yet on the convertible, but we expect it will take a brief vacation, then return by 2010.

2006 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, auto.	GT wagon, man.	GT wagon, auto.	Touring conv, turbo	Class Average
4	7	7	6	4.4

Base engine fine for around-town cruising, but weak on hills or in highway passing. Base manual-transmission wagon did 8.9 sec 0-60 mph; automatics are significantly slower. Little lag noted in turbo models, which are stronger at all speeds; expect about 7.0 sec 0-60 with GT wagon. Automatic transmission responsive, despite some lurching downshifts.

Fuel Economy

Limited, auto.	GT wagon, man.	GT wagon, auto.	Touring conv, turbo	Class Average
5	4	5	5	6.7

Test 150-hp wagons averaged 18.5-23.0 mpg with automatic transmission, 18.3-22.1 with manual. With 180-hp turbo, wagon averaged 19.5 mpg, test convertible 18.0. Test GT wagon with manual averaged 17.2 mpg, 19.0 with automatic. GT convertible averaged 16.1 mpg. Chrysler recommends 91-octane fuel for 220-hp turbo, 87 octane for other PT engines.

Ride Quality

Limited, auto.	GT wagon, man.	GT wagon, auto.	Touring conv, turbo	Class Average
6	6	6	6	4.9

All models easily absorb most bumps. Limited's slightly tauter suspension feels more controlled over freeway dips and humps. GT suspension and tires firmer still, provide more road feel without undue stiffness. Convertible feels less prone to body flex than many four-seat droptops.

Steering/Handling/Braking

Limited, auto.	GT wagon, man.	GT wagon, auto.	Touring conv, turbo	Class Average
6	7	7	6	5.6

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, with strong stopping power, good pedal feel.

Quietness

Limited, auto.	GT wagon, man.	GT wagon, auto.	Touring conv, turbo	Class Average
5	4	4	4	4.2

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, auto.	GT wagon, man.	GT wagon, auto.	Touring conv, turbo	Class Average
6	6	6	6	5.9

Restyled instrument panel carries on retro theme, contemporary ease of use. Hard plastics abound but don't look cheap. Odd dashboard-mounted power-window switches continue; convertibles add a handy "all up/all down" button. Available UConnect wireless cell phone link easy to use, allows drivers to keep both hands on steering wheel.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

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

Just adequate head room for tall drivers, despite high body build. Chair-height seats comfortable. Seat-mounted pull-down center armrests replaced by conventional console box with built-in armrest, which is more convenient. 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, auto.	GT wagon, man.	GT wagon, auto.	Touring conv, turbo	Class Average
6	6	6	5	3.9

Wagon offers same chair-height stance as in front; six-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. Entry to its rear seat hindered by roll bar and front shoulder-belt anchors.

Cargo Room

Limited, auto.	GT wagon, man.	GT wagon, auto.	Touring conv, turbo	Class Average
8	8	8	1	4.7

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, auto.	GT wagon, man.	GT wagon, auto.	Touring conv, turbo	Class Average
9	9	9	8	6.2

Despite mediocre acceleration in nonturbo versions, PT Cruiser is roomy, comfortable, adaptable, and fun. This Best Buy is affordable, too, and softening demand has made deep discounts common.

Total Score

Limited, auto.	GT wagon, man.	GT wagon, auto.	Touring conv, turbo	Class Average
61	63	64	53	52

Scores for all Compact Cars

Low Score		37
Average Score		52
High Score		64

2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 05/26/2006

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

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

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, power door locks, AM/FM/CD player, analog clock, tachometer, variable-intermittent wipers, visor mirrors, rear defogger, rear wiper/washer.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Theft-deterrent system, rear spoiler, 195/65R15 tires, wheel covers.

Base convertible adds to Base wagon:

Comfort and Convenience Features

Air conditioning, power mirrors, remote keyless entry, illuminated visor mirrors, map lights, power convertible top.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Deletes: rear/wiper washer.

Touring Suspension.

Touring adds to Base wagon:

Comfort and Convenience Features

Air conditioning, fold-flat passenger seat, power mirrors, remote keyless entry, power convertible top (convertible), illuminated visor mirrors, map lights, floormats.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Deletes: rear wiper washer (convertible), rear spoiler (convertible).

Touring Suspension, 205/55R16 tires (convertible), alloy wheels (convertible).

Limited adds to Touring:

Safety

Front side airbags.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Cruise control, power driver seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel, power sunroof, universal garage door opener.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Rear privacy glass, fog lights, 205/55TR16 tires, alloy wheels.

GT adds to Limited:

Powertrain

2.4-liter turbocharged 220-horsepower 4-cylinder engine, traction control.

Safety

Antilock 4-wheel disc brakes.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Leather upholstery.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Deletes: power sunroof (convertible), rear privacy glass (convertible).

Sport Suspension, 205/50HR17 tires, chrome alloy wheels.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
Quick Order Group 28E
Base convertible	$690	$635
Floormats, 205/55R16 tires, alloy wheels. Requires 4-speed automatic transmission.

Signature Series Quick Order Group
Touring wagon manual	$1,785	$1,642
Touring wagon automatic	$1,795	$1,651
Front side airbags, 6-way power driver seat w/lumbar adjustment, leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control, satellite radio (includes one year service), unique interior and exterior trim, rear privacy glass, chrome alloy wheels.

Spring Special Quick Order Group
Touring convertible	$1,245	$1,145
Front side airbags, leather upholstery, 6-way power driver seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel, chrome alloy wheels. NA w/2.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine.

Street Cruiser Route 66 Edition
Touring wagon manual	$2,755	$2,535
Touring wagon automatic	$2,765	$2,544
Front side airbags, antilock brakes, leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control, power driver seat, AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD/MP3 changer, silver shift knob, rear spoiler, rear privacy glass, unique interior and exterior trim, Sport Suspension, 205/50HR17 tires, chrome alloy wheels.

Quick Order Group 2CK
Limited	$1,155	$1,063
Leather/suede upholstery, additional chrome exterior trim, chrome alloy wheels. Requires 2.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine.

Chrome Accents Group
Limited	$1,070	$984
GT wagon	$250	$230
Limited w/2CK Group	$210	$193
Chrome exterior and interior trim, upgraded leather-wrapped steering wheel (Limited), bright pedals (Limited), chrome alloy wheels (Limited).

Powertrain
2.4-liter turbocharged 180-horsepower 4-cylinder engine
Touring convertible, Limited	$1,280	$1,178
Requires 4-speed automatic transmission.

4-speed automatic transmission
Base, Touring, Limited	$825	$759
GT	$550	$506
GT includes manual-shift capability.

Safety
Front side airbags
Base, Touring	$390	$359


Antilock brakes
Base, Touring, Limited	$595	$547
NA w/2.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine.

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


Power sunroof
Touring wagon	$750	$690


AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD/MP3 changer
Base convertible, Touring, Limited, GT	$300	$276


Boston Acoustics sound system
convertible	$695	$639
Touring/Limited/GT wagon	$595	$547
Wagon includes subwoofer. NA Base.

Satellite radio
Base wagon, GT, Limited, Touring	$195	$179
Includes one year service. NA convertibles.

UConnect
Limited, GT wagon	$360	$331
Wireless cell phone link. Includes automatic day/night rearview mirror.

Leather upholstery
Touring convertible	$1,175	$1,081
Includes front side airbags, power driver seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel.

Power driver seat
Touring convertible	$300	$276


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
Rear privacy glass
Touring wagon	$350	$322


Engine-block heater
Base convertible, Base wagon, GT, Limited, Touring	$35	$32


Inferno Red paint
wagon	$225	$207


Special paint
wagon	$150	$138


Color-keyed rear spoiler
Limited	$150	$138


Chrome alloy wheels
Touring convertible, Limited	$700	$644

2006 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.	168.9	168.9

Overall Width, in.	67.1	67.1

Overall Height, in.	63.0	60.6

Curb Weight, lbs.	3076	3303

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	62.7	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	21/29	--/--	21/27

4-speed automatic	20/25	19/25	19/25

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	3/36,000	$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

< 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser Photos

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