2010 Chrysler PT Cruiser

Review

You can’t mistake the adorable, retro design of the Chrysler PT Cruiser on the road. You have to hand it to a vehicle that has been in production for years, looks largely the same as it did when it debuted, but can still turn heads and induce smiles from other drivers. As a compact wagon, the 2010 Chrysler PT Cruiser is reasonably priced and highly versatile. Drivers will appreciate its roomy and accommodating interior, although fuel economy and safety could use some work. Read the results of our 2010 PT Cruiser road test in the following review.

Improvements from the 2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser

For the new model year, the PT Cruiser is available in only one trim level. Chrysler has added chrome body-side molding, a silver shift knob, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, chrome accents, and chrome interior accents for 2010 as well.

Performance

Chrysler no longer offers the turbocharged engine option on the PT Cruiser, so drivers are left with an underwhelming 2.4-liter four-cylinder that puts out 150 horsepower. Car reviews note that acceleration is sluggish with the base engine and that the four-speed automatic transmission feels outdated. Braking is decent, and the PT Cruiser’s steering is light and precise, although critics bemoan the Cruiser’s massive turning radius. One of the highlights of the 2010 PT Cruiser’s performance is its suspension, which does an excellent job of absorbing any bumps in the road for a smooth ride.

Exterior Features

Despite its aging design, the Chrysler PT Cruiser’s looks are still applauded by critics. The Cruiser’s unique retro look set it apart from other compact wagons and virtually every other vehicle on the road. Even though the PT Cruiser has been on the market for some time now, its cute exterior can still turn heads. The 2010 Chrysler PT Cruiser is available in only one trim level: the Classic. Standard exterior equipment includes foglights, keyless entry, 16-inch alloy wheels, and a rear spoiler. Check out the unique styling of the new PT Cruiser in the gallery of photos associated with our review.

Interior Features

Although the quality of the cabin materials may disappoint some, auto reviews praise the spacious and versatile interior of the 2010 PT Cruiser. Reviewers point out that the design of the five-seat wagon lends itself to use as a small car or a tiny van. The Cruiser’s front seats are comfortable, but the backseat gets mixed reviews. For maximum comfort, the PT Cruiser should hold no more than four adults at one time. The list of standard interior features on the 2010 Chrysler PT Cruiser is respectable and includes a trip computer, full power accessories, a tilt steering wheel, a four-speaker sound system with CD player, air-conditioning, and an auxiliary audio input jack.

Safety and Specifications

Safety is a weak point with the 2010 Chrysler PT Cruiser, as the wagon lacks many of the safety features that come standard on competing vehicles. Although the federal government has not crash tested the PT Cruiser since 2008, the car insurance industry has performed recent tests on the latest model. In front-impact tests, the 2010 PT Cruiser earned the highest rating of “Good,” but in side-impact tests, the PT Cruiser earned the worst rating of “Poor” even with the addition of side airbags. Standard car safety equipment on the 2010 PT Cruiser includes multistage front airbags, side airbags, and a low-speed traction control system. These results could slightly affect your rates, even with online car insurance. We’ve included a summary of the 2010 Chrysler PT Cruiser’s specs below.

• Car pricing: $18,275 MSRP; $17,801 invoice
• Engine: 2.4-liter, 150-hp four-cylinder
• Transmission: four-speed automatic transmission
• Acceleration: 0-60 in 8.9 seconds

Upgrade Options

The only upgrade package available on the 2010 PT Cruiser comes in the form of the Convenience Group, which adds heated front seats, a six-way power driver’s seat, and a fold-flat passenger seat. Individual options include satellite radio and a sunroof.

How the PT Cruiser Compares to Other Affordable Wagons

The 2010 Chrysler PT Cruiser is sensibly priced and offers ample cargo and passenger space. On the other hand, the PT Cruiser lacks the power, safety, and fuel efficiency of most of its compact wagon competitors. The 2010 PT Cruiser achieves a city/highway rating of 19/24 mpg. The names of a few of the PT Cruiser’s rivals are included below.

• Hyundai Elantra Touring
• Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen
• Mini Clubman
• Toyota Matrix

New car guide information predicts the 2010 2WD Chrysler PT Cruiser’s Intellichoice 5 year cost of ownership as $33,670, which is a very poor value for a vehicle of its size. The PT Cruiser earned a solid score of 7.0 out of 10 on the J.D. Power Quality Ratings for predicted reliability. The 2010 PT Cruiser’s warranty includes a three-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a five-year/100,000-mile transferable powertrain warranty.

Conclusion: Is the PT Cruiser a Smart Buy?

The 2010 Chrysler PT Cruiser is an all-around sensible car, from its interior versatility to its reasonable price. The 2010 PT Cruiser can accommodate all kinds of cargo and passenger demands, and it has an endearing exterior style to boot. Fans of the Cruiser will also want to act quickly; 2010 will be the wagon’s swan song model year. Of course, reviewers take issue with the PT Cruiser’s lackluster power, fuel economy, and safety scores, but die-hard fans of the small wagon will likely remain unmoved.