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The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2010 Chrysler PT Cruiser

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Want to save money? Check out the 2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser

Overview

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2010 Chrysler PT Cruiser Review

By KBB.com Editors

The 2010 Chrysler PT Cruiser Classic continues as one of the most stylish compact wagons on the market. While some may argue its retro look has grown tiresome, sales remain strong enough to justify the car's continued production, 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. Like many cars in this segment, Chrysler offers PT buyers a simple set up consisting of one engine and transmission choice bundled together in a nicely equipped package that starts around $19,000.

You'll Like This Car If...

If you love driving something that pays homage to a great era in American cars, the 2010 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 fuel efficient four-cylinder engine.

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 2010

The potent turbocharged engine has been retired, as has the manual transmission. Chrysler has simplified the lineup to a single vehicle, now called the PT Cruiser Classic, which has a single engine and transmission choice and only a handful of options.

Driving the PT Cruiser

Driving Impressions Driving the 2010 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. The 2.4-liter, 16-valve motor is no race engine, but it does manage acceptable levels of acceleration, smoothness and fuel economy. There seems to be a good deal of low-end torque for uphill climbs, although we did find the four-speed automatic a bit slow to shift when power is immediately required.

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.

2010 Chrysler PT Cruiser Details

Interior

The 2010 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. Safety features include front side-impact airbags and a driver's side knee airbag, but no side curtain airbags to protect the rear occupants.

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 2010 Chrysler PT Cruiser Classic has a 150-horsepower 2.4-liter engine, four speed automatic transmission, rear defrost, power side mirrors, AM/FM stereo with CD/MP3 player and auxiliary input jack, tilt wheel, cruise control, air conditioning, power windows, keyless entry, front-seat side-impact air bags, 16-inch cast aluminum wheels, a rear wiper/washer, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes (ABS) with low-speed traction control and fog lamps.

Optional Equipment

The Convenience Group adds heated six-way power driver's seat with manual lumbar adjustment and a heated fold-flat passenger seat. Stand alone options are limited to a power moonroof, SIRIUS Satellite Radio and a few exterior colors.

Under the Hood

The 2.4-liter engine works well in the PT, giving it good acceleration and respectable fuel economy. This engine can be a bit course, however, especially under hard acceleration. If you're comparing the PT Cruiser Classic to the imports, you'll find the PT's engine is no match for the quiet and vibration-free four-cylinders made by Honda and Toyota.

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

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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2010 Chrysler PT Cruiser Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

7.4

Out of 10

Based on 1186 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

8.4/10

PT Cruiser you can't cound on it after 60K miles

By sharpcarman (CA) on Tuesday, May 21, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 65,000

10 3.0

overall rating 3 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 3/10
Value: 5/10
Reliability: 1/10
Quality: 2/10
Performance: 1/10
Styling: 5/10
Comfort: 3/10

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

"The engine mounts broke an dthe shop said it happens all the time at a cost of $300 each and then thre rear breaklits fill with water for no reason and cost you 500 dollars. It never has avergae better than 20 miles per gallan freeweay. Don't but this car/."

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first brand new convertible, it's a keeper!

By blow'n in the wind (MO) on Wednesday, May 15, 2013

I own this car

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

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

Pros: "seats four, lots of room for a convertible!"

Cons: "small trunk, top sewn with cotton thread."

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

"everyone loves my 2005 pt cruiser! taupe rag top and vanilla body. when i first got the convertible SENIORS stop me all of the time and said they loved it! 2013, people are still complimenting! it's to bad chrysler stop production. I don't see many convertibles, that nice. i love this car as much as i loved my 1970 canary yellow karman ghia vw, of course the cruiser is MUCH bigger. regular maintenance, a/c, sway bar, front wheel bearing repair. performs beautifully! looks good!"

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Love this car, will probably keep it forever!

By PA Grandma (PA) on Sunday, May 12, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 130,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

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

Pros: "Fun to drive, easy to handle, lots of room inside"

Cons: "rides a little rough on unsmooth roads"

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

"I have had this car for 10 years, and it's been a great car other than it has gone through so many batteries we lost count. We have never been able to find out why, I think it's the security system. The last battery lasted 23 months. Other than replacing the struts in the front, and the shifter linkage, the car is all original with 130,000 miles! It has the factory muffler and clutch. I love being able to take the rear seats out to haul all kinds of stuff in it, I had a dining room table and four chairs in there without taking the legs off the table! It's incredible what will fit in this car. It has no rust on it and it still looks great. I would buy a new one, but Chrysler stopped making them!"

4 people out of 8 found this review helpful

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Better than expected

By cruiserdude (GA) on Saturday, April 27, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 203,000

10 8.0

overall rating 8 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 8/10
Value: 8/10
Reliability: 9/10
Quality: 5/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 7/10
Comfort: 6/10

Pros: "Handles great, stereo cranks, sunroof is cool,"

Cons: "turning radius seats are small window switches"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"My Cruiser had 197,000 miles on it when I bought it so I wasn't really expecting much. I have been pleasently surprised. I've had to do the normal maint and repairs such as brakes, timing belt, water pump, belts and hoses but besides that not a single breakdown. I've put about 5K miles on it but it just keeps going and going. Gets about 19 or 20 mpg around town and it's best trip scored at 27 mpg and that was at 80 mph. If I drove it easier it probably would get close to 30 mpg. A/C has a slow leak I haven't chased down yet but I will and hopefully it won't cost too much to repair. Seats could be a bit bigger, feels like your going to fall out of them going around corners. Which reminds me the turning radius is not so great. Sometimes it takes more than one try to get in a parking place. But all in all for what this little car has been thru over the years I can't complain. Never uses oil and has NO drips which i love. Great little car for the money."

8 people out of 8 found this review helpful

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Makes a great second car.

By Nick (MI) on Wednesday, April 24, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 272,400

10 8.0

overall rating 8 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 8/10
Value: 8/10
Reliability: 8/10
Quality: 7/10
Performance: 6/10
Styling: 8/10
Comfort: 8/10

Pros: "A good value for the money. Heating system."

Cons: "A/C not at its peak."

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

"Actually my wife's car (our second car) but I drive it often, and really enjoy the experience. Despite the high mileage, the interior is almost like new, and the exterior is very good. Still has a little zip to it; and the gas mleage is acceptable. No long trips with it; mostly short ones and in-town drives."

8 people out of 8 found this review helpful

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Absolutely the best overall vehicle I ever owned

By DLF (CO) on Tuesday, April 23, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 60,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 6/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 8/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 7/10
Comfort: 10/10

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

"This car is compact but will haul bulky items. Has a much better ride than a popular new car I recently rented. I like the upright seating. Room enough for 6 ft+. Has been reliable so far, 32 mpg highway. More power would be nice, but does okay even at 8000 ft."

7 people out of 7 found this review helpful

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See all 1186 reviews