Chrysler PT Cruiser LE Route 66 2006 Review

The Australian car market may be awash with small cars and SUVs claiming increased interior versatility, the space of a large limo in the package of an econobox or 365 different seating configurations but back when Chrysler launched its retro PT Cruiser in 2000, small cars were pretty much just small cars.

So from a marketing perspective, Chrysler had big potential on its hands with this mini-people mover (cum wagon, cum small hatch) that actually offered enough load space to hold two bikes standing up and seats that folded for myriad possibilities of bodies and baggage. But, perhaps unsurprisingly, it was the look of the car that sold it. Not exactly what you would call shy and retiring, its unashamedly retro visage screamed "look at me" to all sectors of society... And they did.

Regardless of age, gender, colour or creed people stared at this car and as with anything that stands out from the crowd, everyone had an opinion on it.

They were by and large, positive, which augured well for Chrysler and by the time potential customers had got past the looks, they seemed to be reasonably happy with the rest of the package.

For our money, the biggest let down was the driveline, which featured a just adequate 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine and notchy and vague five-speed manual transmission. The auto was at least a four speed (compared to the three-speed of the Neon sedan with which the Cruiser shared plenty of componentry) but it simply showed up the engine's lack of grunt.

Late in 2004, an upgrade delivered a more powerful 2.4-litre engine, which went a long way to addressing the power issue, and modified (read: firmer) suspension. Now for 2006, the car has received another upgrade that comprise some minor exterior cosmetic changes, a revised interior, improvements to NVH (noise vibration and harshness) and the addition of a limited edition Route 66 model.

As mentioned, the PT Cruiser was never a car to blend into the streetscape and the Route 66 model CarPoint took for a week recently upped the ante. Available in just two colours, a lairy Solar Yellow and Black, it gains big shiny chrome 16-inch alloy wheels, a large roof-mounted rear spoiler and yellow brake callipers.

Priced from $31,390, the Route 66 PT Cruiser uses the same 105kW/214Nm 2.4-litre four cylinder engine as the rest of the range and it is now easily up to the task of getting the small hatch off the line.

The acceleration is smooth and strong with a nice linear delivery and where previously it felt somewhat coarse (especially when pushed hard), there seems a far greater level of refinement in the 2006 model. A great part of this is due to NVH improvements that have made the interior an altogether quieter place to be, rather than actual changes to the engine.

The effect of the body strengthening and additional sound deadening materials incorporated in this latest update means there is also less road and wind noise. Cruising at highway speeds there is little to annoy the car's occupants -- something that couldn't be said previously.

The five-speed manual shift is well mated to the engine, although like before it has a very long throw and still feels a bit vague. Once you find the right gear, it is also notchy locking in the ratio.

With American cars having a tendency for softer suspensions aimed more at ride comfort than handling, the '04 upgrades to the PT Cruiser were welcome. The latest car retains a firmish suspension that delivers decent dynamics without any real compromise in the ride quality.

As a taller than usual vehicle for its class, there is a small degree of body roll when you push harder through corners but this is well controlled and surprisingly far less than some of the small hatches and sedans with which the Cruiser competes.

The steering too is well weighted and reasonably direct offering a good idea of what is going on at the front end at all times.

One thing, however, still lets the PT Cruiser down if you want to give it a good punt along a winding country road -- and that's the seats. Despite the 06 upgrade featuring new seat trim, the front pews still lack any real support either in the backrest or laterally. They are very much a 'sit-on' rather than 'sit-in' design with a flat squab and backrest. Around town at suburban speeds, you won’t notice the deficiencies but push on beyond the urban limits and you can find yourself needing to counter the roll of your body with a very firm grip on the steering wheel.

Other changes to the interior include a redesigned dash and although there appears to have been some improvement in the quality of fit and finish and ergonomics, the switches for the power windows are still in the most illogical place -- at the top of the centre stack on the dash above the CD/radio.

Standard kit is nevertheless good and includes power driver's seat, windows and mirrors, air conditioning, remote locking, ABS and four airbags.

With its high body, there is plenty of head and legroom in all seats and three adults across the rear is not too much of a squeeze. Where others may claim interior versatility, the PT still continues to deliver it with a 65/35 split rear seat that can fold, tumble forward or be completely removed. A front passenger pew that folds flat adds tp this flexibility.

Since its original launch in 2000, the PT Cruiser has been a fairly steady seller for Chrysler locally with about 1000 a year driving out of showrooms. It remains a spacious and versatile small car for those in the market wanting to make a statement. And in the Route 66, that statement is made loud and clear!