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2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser Full Review
Date Published: 3/27/08
Also in the 2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser Review:
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Chrysler PT Cruiser Full Review
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2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser
Sneak Peek
The 2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser loses its convertible body style. This retro-styled compact car comes as a five-passenger, 4-door wagon in base, Touring, and Limited trims. PT Cruisers have a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine. Base and Touring versions have 150 hp. Limiteds are turbocharged and have 180 hp, and this engine is optional on the Touring. Manual or automatic transmission is offered. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, and front side airbags. Available, likely as a carryover from 2008, is a Street Cruiser Sunset Boulevard Edition package that includes a sunroof and unique interior and exterior trim. This report is based on evaluations of the 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser.
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2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser Road Test
| Pros | Cons |
| Acceleration (turbos) | Acceleration (nonturbo w/automatic transmission) |
| Passenger and cargo room | |
Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings
Acceleration
The 150-hp engine is fine for around-town cruising but weak on hills or in highway passing. Automatics are particularly poky. There's little lag with the turbocharged engine, and it's noticeably stronger in all situations. The automatic transmission is responsive, despite a tendency to lurch when downshifting.
| Limited, automatic | Class Average |
| 4 | 5.1 |
The 150-hp engine is fine for around-town cruising but weak on hills or in highway passing. Automatics are particularly poky. There's little lag with the turbocharged engine, and it's noticeably stronger in all situations. The automatic transmission is responsive, despite a tendency to lurch when downshifting.
Fuel Economy
In Consumer Guide testing, 150-hp models averaged 18.5-23.0 mpg with automatic transmission. With the 180-hp engine, test Limiteds averaged 19.5-20.3 mpg. All PT Cruisers use regular-grade gas.
| Limited, automatic | Class Average |
| 5 | 6.2 |
In Consumer Guide testing, 150-hp models averaged 18.5-23.0 mpg with automatic transmission. With the 180-hp engine, test Limiteds averaged 19.5-20.3 mpg. All PT Cruisers use regular-grade gas.
Ride Quality
All models absorb bumps reasonably well. Limited versions have a sport suspension that feels more controlled than the base setup but transmits more vibration.
| Limited, automatic | Class Average |
| 5 | 5.1 |
All models absorb bumps reasonably well. Limited versions have a sport suspension that feels more controlled than the base setup but transmits more vibration.
Steering/Handling/Braking
PT Cruisers have good grip in turns from the 16- and 17-inch tires. Fast corners induce noticeable body lean, but no tippiness. PT's wide turning circle frustrates low-speed maneuverability. All models tested had ABS and exhibited good control and pedal feel.
| Limited, automatic | Class Average |
| 6 | 5.9 |
PT Cruisers have good grip in turns from the 16- and 17-inch tires. Fast corners induce noticeable body lean, but no tippiness. PT's wide turning circle frustrates low-speed maneuverability. All models tested had ABS and exhibited good control and pedal feel.
Quietness
Coarse pavement induces some road roar. Wind rush starts to intrude at 65 mph. In all versions, the engine never sounds smooth and is especially coarse above 4000 rpm.
| Limited, automatic | Class Average |
| 5 | 4.6 |
Coarse pavement induces some road roar. Wind rush starts to intrude at 65 mph. In all versions, the engine never sounds smooth and is especially coarse above 4000 rpm.
Controls
The instrument panel carries on the exterior's retro theme but is contemporary for its ease of use. The dashboard-mounted power-window switches are odd.
| Limited, automatic | Class Average |
| 5 | 5.8 |
The instrument panel carries on the exterior's retro theme but is contemporary for its ease of use. The dashboard-mounted power-window switches are odd.
Details
PT Cruiser's interior liberally uses hard plastics, but they don't look cheap. Assembly quality is unexceptional.
| Limited, automatic | Class Average |
| 5 | 5 |
PT Cruiser's interior liberally uses hard plastics, but they don't look cheap. Assembly quality is unexceptional.
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)
There's just adequate headroom for tall drivers, despite PT's high body build. Chair-height seats are comfortable. Wide doorways allow simple step-in entry. Sight lines are clear, though rear headrests are minor obstructions.
| Limited, automatic | Class Average |
| 6 | 5.5 |
There's just adequate headroom for tall drivers, despite PT's high body build. Chair-height seats are comfortable. Wide doorways allow simple step-in entry. Sight lines are clear, though rear headrests are minor obstructions.
Room/Comfort (rear)
The PT Cruiser has the same chair-height stance as in front. Six-footers are comfortable and uncrowded in the outboard positions. There's even enough room for a rear center-seat passenger with a little squeezing.
| Limited, automatic | Class Average |
| 6 | 4.3 |
The PT Cruiser has the same chair-height stance as in front. Six-footers are comfortable and uncrowded in the outboard positions. There's even enough room for a rear center-seat passenger with a little squeezing.
Cargo Room
Cargo room is generous and versatile. A fold-flat front-passenger seat is handy for loading long objects. Space is modest behind the rear seat, but a 65/35 split rear bench folds or removes to create a tall, wide cargo bay.
| Limited, automatic | Class Average |
| 8 | 5.2 |
Cargo room is generous and versatile. A fold-flat front-passenger seat is handy for loading long objects. Space is modest behind the rear seat, but a 65/35 split rear bench folds or removes to create a tall, wide cargo bay.
Value within Class
Its lack of available curtain side airbags is evidence that PT Cruiser has fallen behind the times. And you have to get a turbocharged model for decent acceleration. Nonetheless, this tall wagon is adaptable, affordable, and reasonably comfortable.
| Limited, automatic | Class Average |
| 6 | 6.2 |
Its lack of available curtain side airbags is evidence that PT Cruiser has fallen behind the times. And you have to get a turbocharged model for decent acceleration. Nonetheless, this tall wagon is adaptable, affordable, and reasonably comfortable.
Total Score
| Limited, automatic | Class Average |
| 61 | 58.9 |
Scores for all Compact Cars
| Low Score | 50 | |
| Average Score | 58 | |
| High Score | 74 |
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2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser Prices & Equipment
Model Prices
Prices Updated: 11/12/2007
Coming soon.
Please check back for more information and Consumer Guide's full review.
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
Optional Equipment
No factory options.
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2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser Specs & Safety
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | Chrysler PT Cruiser 4-door wagon |
| Wheelbase, in. | 103.0 |
| Overall Length, in. | 168.9 |
| Overall Width, in. | 67.1 |
| Overall Height, in. | 63.0 |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 3076 |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 62.7 |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 15.0 |
| Seating Capacity | 5 |
| Front Head Room, in. | 39.2 |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 40.6 |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 39.5 |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 40.9 |
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Engines
| dohc I4 | Turbocharged dohc I4 | |
| Size, liters/cu. in. | 2.4 /148 | 2.4 /148 |
| Horsepower @ rpm. | 150 @ 5100 | 180 @ 5100 |
| Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm. | 165 @ 4000 | 210 @ 2800 |
| Availability | Standard | Optional |
|
EPA City / highway mpg
|
||
| 5-speed manual | 21/26 | 20/25 |
| 4-speed automatic | 19/24 | 18/24 |
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 |
Coming soon.
Please check back for more information and Consumer Guide's full review.
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%.
Built in:
Mexico
Drivewheels:
front-wheel drive
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Also in the 2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser Review:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Chrysler PT Cruiser Full Review
7.
8.
9.
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