Chrysler PT Cruiser Cabrio Review
Published: 16th July 2006
Chrysler PT Cruiser Cabrio
The centre stack protrudes from the fascia, at the top is found an analogue clock and the four electric window controls with an all-up or all-down function. Below these is the single CD/radio, which comes with RDS and six speakers and right at the bottom are the comfort controls including air conditioning.
The Limited model has a chrome gear-knob, just behind which is a large cupholder big enough to take a 1-litre bottle. It is wise to use this as I found out. I have a habit of putting things on the floor behind the front seats as it’s generally the safest place. However, the seats are tall and even square bottles roll and I found myself on the motorway trying to retrieve one from under the brake and clutch pedal, where it had rolled.
While I’m on the subject of storage - the boot has an awkward tailgate that moves out, away from the car before opening upwards rather than being hinged at the base like the MINI Cabrio. This means that it is really difficult to heft luggage or shopping inside, while bending under the door.
Thankfully, the roof doesn’t fold into the boot, so there is no restriction on the available space. However, some of the 249-litres capacity is taken up by the bulky roof cover unless it is left in the garage. The load space can be increased to up to 474-litres by tumble-folding the 50:50 split, rear seats.
The roof is easy enough to operate and is simply a matter of turning a central D-ring locking mechanism and pressing a button on the centre stack. It takes just 10 seconds for the roof to concertina in a pram-hood fashion to rest behind the rear seat headrests. It doesn’t flap or thrum when driving but for tidiness the cover, which is colour-coded to the interior, is easy to put on and is only fastened by two heavy-duty press studs.
The rear end is already quite tall and with the addition of the lowered roof and cover, there is the ability to hide at least two following cars or even car park bollards. So, there’s definite need for rear parking sensors, which are not available even as an option. Even when the roof is up, there isn’t a great deal of rearward visibility through the heated rear windscreen.
