2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible Interior Review
in Affordable Four-Seat Convertibles
Based on analysis of 27 PT-Cruiser-Convertible reviews and test drives.
Interior - What the Auto Press Says
Reviewers are mostly charmed by the stylish interior of the 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible. Edmunds says, "We've raved about the unique, comfortable interior of the standard PT, and the new convertible is no exception."
The style of the PT Cruiser Convertible's interior is much like its exterior: quirky and retro. "The PT Cruiser's retro theme doesn't stop at the sheet metal," says Kelley Blue Book. "Interior touches such as the stylish, retro-look cue-ball shift knob conspire to keep occupants in a good-ol'-days state of mind." Cars.com finds this all to the good: "I liked that the retro styling is retained inside the PT convertible as parts of the dashboard sport plastic pieces that coordinate with the exterior paint." The Boston Globe calls it "a nicely appointed interior [with] nice faux-chrome around gauges."
Airflow in the interior when the top is down is judged to be minimal. "The interior was only moderately breezy," says the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "certainly better than some much higher-priced ragtops." USA TODAY says: "Airflow with the top down is smooth enough that you needn't shout to have a conversation, nor hold tight to your hat. With the heater blasting, it even was possible to ride comfortably, top-down, in 50-degree weather." And About.com says: "The wind will blow your hair around (if you've got any), but it won't punish you. The cabin remains relatively quiet at speed."
Seating
The PT Cruiser Convertible seats four and many reviewers feel that all four will be comfortable. "Roomy seats make it great for four passengers," says New Car Test Drive. The Boston Globe says, "Interior space was ample -- it is, after all, a convertible derived from, choose one: van, truck, station wagon." MSN likes that "[s]eats in this convertible are upright and supportive and a welcome surprise because they don't sit close to the floor."
The driver and the front seat passenger will be happy on lengthy trips, according to Edmunds: "Front occupants were plenty content on long drives, especially the driver, thanks to an adjustable lumbar support. In the past, we've complained about the PT wagon's unusual seating position which was too elevated for shorter drivers, but there didn't seem to be any problem when settling behind the wheel of our convertible." New Car Test Drive thinks that the "front seats in the three lower-line models have a reasonable amount of bolstering to keep driver and passenger from sliding side to side." But MSN's reviewer had problems with headroom: "[E]ach time I was in the PT convertible driver's seat I noticed how low the fabric roof came down to join with the top of the windshield." Consumer Guide echoes this complaint: "There's just adequate head room for tall drivers, despite PT's high body build." And USA TODAY found that the "[l]ack of a telescoping steering column and adjustable pedals, both fairly common nowadays, makes it harder to find a just-so driving position."
Edmunds thinks that "adults will find plenty of head- and legroom" in the rear seats. And the Fort Worth Star-Telegram finds this a bit surprising: "This is a practical convertible because it has a rather roomy back seat, something rare in a ragtop." They do feel, however, that the "back seat is best left to kids ... because of the hassle of getting in and out. Since the convertible has just two doors, instead of the four of the wagon model, rear passengers have to climb in through the front, after one of the two front seats is tilted forward."
Interior Features
Standard interior features on the 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible include a manual lumbar adjuster for the driver, cloth sun visors with illuminated vanity mirrors, an AM-FM stereo with CD player and six premium speakers and front power windows with a one-touch down feature.
Entertainment
Reviewers differ as to the quality of the PT Cruiser Convertible's optional stereo system. Automobile.com says: "I also got a kick out of the PTs awesome audio system. The top was down, the sun was out, warm wind a blowing and tunes from the optional AM/FM/6-disc in-dash CD changer featuring 6 premium speakers were booming. Again, even with the top and windows down, sound quality was great. I couldn't ask for more." But New Car Test Drive felt that the "standard stereo sounds tinny; we haven't tried the Boston Accoustics system. Also, there's a separate Set button for the station presets, fussier than simply holding the preset down."
Cargo
Car and Driver is impressed that the PT Cruiser Convertible's "luggage compartment will accept seven cubic feet of stuff, two more than the Beetle's." But several others are disappointed in both the size of the trunk and its design. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram felt that "trunk space is limited." New Car Test Drive thinks that the "trunk is tiny and awkward, however; in fact, we can't think of a trunk that's less convenient than the one on the Cruiser convertible." The size problem can be solved by opening a passthrough to the rear seats, effectively expanding the cargo space by 13 cubic feet from the trunk's normal 7.4 cubic feet.
The other problem with the trunk is that to access it, you have to, as Edmunds puts it, "combine stooping over with stooping under a trunk lid that hardly rises above a 90-degree angle, and even casual grocery shoppers will have their work cut out for them." And the Boston Globe laments that the trunk "is a bit awkward to reach since the lid, given body style, is a hatch that lifts straight up, meaning bending and reaching for goods."