Chrysler PT Cruiser Cabriolet (05-08) - Review

Review by David Ross on
Last Updated: 12 November 2008
As oddballs go, the PT Cruiser Cabriolet is one of the best. It's a three-door drop-top version of the five-door car that's neither a small people carrier or a family hatchback. Buy one and you'll have to forgive its other little quirks - the boot is ridiculously difficult to load, you have to limbo into the rear seats the view out the back is awful. To top everything off, this unusual choice was originally only available in left-hand-drive, but a right-hand version was launched in 2006 - making things a little easier for UK driving. However, your money does buy the kind of exclusivity that's normally reserved for Rolls-Royce and Aston Martin owners. Unfortunately quality, refinement and driver enjoyment are all in short supply.
2 out of 5

Performance

Just one engine is on offer, a 2.4-litre petrol with 143bhp. It's not especially quick (0-60mph takes 10.7 seconds with the standard manual gearbox and 12.4 seconds with the sluggish automatic transmission). It does cruise well on the motorway but that's about the limit of its talents. If pushed, it can become an unrefined and rather noisy unit and fuel consumption is on the thirsty side with an average of just 30mpg. Despite a decent diesel CRD engine being available in the standard PT Cruiser, Chrysler never chose to fit this in the Cabriolet.

2 out of 5

Handling

The PT Cruiser is quite a wide car which, combined with its poor roof-up visibility, makes it difficult to drive in town. The ride is rough and uncomfortable, at low speeds, but slightly better on faster roads. However it's never an enjoyable or rewarding car to drive - the brakes lack bite, there's noticeable bodyroll when tackling corners and vibration through the cabin over rough surfaces. Drop the roof and the latter is even more evident. The long-stalked gearlever gives a fluent and fairly responsive change, but it's too easy to select reverse, when you really want first.