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The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser

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Curious about the newer model? Check out the 2010 Chrysler PT Cruiser

Overview

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2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser Review

By KBB.com Editors

The 2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser continues as one of the most stylish and fun-to-own compact wagons on the market. While some may argue its retro look has grown tiresome, sales remain strong, as does the demand for aftermarket parts and accessories. Beyond its flamboyant "look at me" exterior, the PT Cruiser provides a roomy and highly flexible interior as adept at hauling kids and cargo as it is serving tailgate, or, rather, liftgate-party duty. Unlike most cars in this segment, Chrysler offers PT buyers a choice of fuel-efficient engines, one of which is turbocharged. Best of all, the PT Cruiser's price tag starts around $18,500, making it a vehicle just about anyone can afford.

You'll Like This Car If...

If you love driving something that pays homage to a great era in American cars, the 2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser is your vehicle. You don't have to sacrifice for your kicks either, as the PT has loads of space, a clever adjustable rear shelf and a choice of normally-aspirated or turbocharged engines.

You May Not Like This Car If...

If you're looking for a full-size recreation of a 1940s American sedan, the PT Cruiser will be too small and probably not cushy enough for you. And if you look at it as an alternative small SUV like the Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4, the PT Cruiser does not offer the same ground clearance or optional all-wheel drive.

What's New for 2009

No major changes for 2009.

Driving the PT Cruiser

Driving Impressions Driving the 2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser is much like driving any compact car, only you sit a bit higher and get many more smiles and thumbs-up signs flashed your way....

The steering is precise and without vagueness, the brakes are firm and the handling good. We drove the Limited model featuring the more powerful 180-horsepower four-cylinder turbo mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. The seamless turbo works in concert with a balanced suspension to deliver a driving experience fitting the car's Cruiser designation. On turbo models, there is very little torque steer, a pleasant surprise for such a powerful front-drive car. There seems to be a good deal of low-end torque as we didn't feel the need to downshift when climbing steep grades or attempting leisurely passing maneuvers.

Favorite Features

Adjustable Rear Shelf
The PT Cruiser's adjustable rear shelf can be set to various heights.

PT Cruiser Exterior
The PT's marvelous exterior lends itself to multiple personality changes.

2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser Details

Interior

The 2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser's innovative interior includes a satin-finish dash trim, a retro-looking color-keyed ball shift knob and tall, upright seating. The rear storage area features a moveable shelf that can serve as a table for tailgate parties or a privacy cover to hide valuables. Rear-seat passengers will find plenty of head and legroom and a good view of the road ahead, thanks to the raised rear seats.

Exterior

Clearly one of the most recognizable shapes on the road, the PT's retro panel van styling is truly classic. Though built on the old Dodge Neon platform, the PT sits up higher than most cars, more like a small SUV. Its tall doors make accessing the interior a breeze and the big rear hatch makes it easy to load long or bulky items. An ample supply of aftermarket body kits and performance-enhancing add-ons allows for some wild customization at bargain-basement prices.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

As standard equipment, the 2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser LX has a 150-horsepower 2.4-liter engine, five-speed manual transmission, rear defrost, manual side mirrors, AM/FM stereo with CD and MP3 input jack, tilt wheel, air conditioning, power windows, keyless entry, front-seat side-impact air bags, full wheel covers and a rear wiper/washer. The Touring trim adds an automatic transmission, power driver's seat, cruise control, power mirrors, 16-inch alloy wheels and a fold-flat passenger's seat. The Limited model adds a turbocharged engine, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes (ABS) with low-speed traction control, fog lamps, chrome package, leather seats, power moon roof, uconnect with SIRIUS Satellite Radio and 17-inch polished aluminum wheels.

Optional Equipment

Options include the 2.4-liter turbocharged engine (Touring), 368-watt Boston Acoustics audio group with six speakers and subwoofer, anti-lock brakes (ABS), traction control, SIRIUS Satellite Radio, heated front seat power moon roof and a four-speed automatic transmission.

Under the Hood

The standard engine works well in the PT, giving it good acceleration and respectable fuel economy. For those who want the PT's performance to live up to its racy good looks, a move up to the low-pressure, 180-horsepower turbo engine is recommended, though doing so means you cannot have the five-speed manual transmission.

2.4-liter in-line 4
150 horsepower @ 5100 rpm
165 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 21/26 (manual), 19/24 (automatic)

2.4-liter in-line 4 Turbocharged
180 horsepower @ 5200 rpm
210 lb.-ft. of torque @ 2800-4000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/24

To compare current market prices, check out KBB.com's car classifieds to view the new and used Chrysler PT Cruiser vehicles for sale near you.

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2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

7.4

Out of 10

Based on 1195 Ratings for the 2001 - 2010 models.

Review this car

Value

7.8/10

Quality

7.8/10
Reliability

8.0/10

Performance

7.7/10
Comfort

8.1/10

Styling

8.3/10

good car

By bombom (WY) on Monday, June 17, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 52,000

10 8.0

overall rating 8 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 8/10
Value: 8/10
Reliability: 8/10
Quality: 8/10
Performance: 8/10
Styling: 8/10
Comfort: 8/10

Pros: "fun car"

Cons: "could be better riding"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 8

"Belonged to retired ladies who drove shopping only. Took very good care of the car. Has new all weather tires and recently tuned."

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2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser

By doglover (TN) on Friday, June 14, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 62,000

10 1.0

overall rating 1 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 1/10
Value: 2/10
Reliability: 1/10
Quality: 1/10
Performance: 1/10
Styling: 3/10
Comfort: 2/10

Pros: "fun to drive"

Cons: "very poor quality....falling apart at 62K"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 1

"Fun car to drive, but not reliable and at 62K miles I need to get rid of it because of poor quality. I'll never buy a Chrysler product again."

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Great Car for a while...

By KT 428 (AR) on Friday, June 14, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 140,000

10 5.0

overall rating 5 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 5/10
Value: 3/10
Reliability: 3/10
Quality: 3/10
Performance: 4/10
Styling: 8/10
Comfort: 7/10

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 3

"We bought our PT used, it was 4 yrs old & had about 65k on it at that point. Now it has about 140k. Never got good gas mileage, my husband got 30 on a slow drive out of state, but I usually got 18 going to work and back. Sad for a 4cy. The last 2 summers it started over heating if idling, finally, last summer it was overheating constantly. My husband parked it and never finished trying to figure out what was wrong.(replaced water pump, lines, antifreeze, thermometer) I enjoyed having the car now it's just a yard ornament he won't fix. Replaced the timing belt (suddenly stopped a couple yrs after we bought it), replaced brakes several times. Wish it had been a dependabe vehicle."

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Unreliable, would NOT buy another!

By breezebro (TX) on Friday, June 14, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 145,000

10 4.0

overall rating 4 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 4/10
Value: 5/10
Reliability: 3/10
Quality: 2/10
Performance: 7/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Fun to drive"

Cons: "It's just not well built."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 1

"The windows fall down whenever they feel like it, then won't go back up for a couple of days. Go through a drive through and the windows won't go down, unless it's raining, then they won't go back up. Radiator fans keep quitting. Transmission locks up. The whole front end squeaks with "lifetime lubricated" parts. Bushings have to be replaced. Problem is their "lifetime" is about a year. Motor mounts break and whole motor turns, breaking wires & hoses. Brake dust continually covers the front mag wheels. Front lights get hazy and are extremely difficult to change. Very comfortable and fun to drive. The driving experience makes you buy the car, then you find you've bought a pile of pretty junk."

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I WOULD buy another

By grma Cann (AZ) on Sunday, June 09, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 109,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 9/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 8/10
Comfort: 7/10

Pros: "good running car, everything still works !!"

Cons: "bending DOWN to trunk,mechanically hard to work on"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 8

"It has been a great car We drove it on dirt roads in Mississippi ,too highways across the country. We WOULD own another. The cons are plastic knobs have fallen off over the yrs. and with 2 doors it isn't easy for grown up to get in or out of the back seat."

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