Weekend Athlete: 2007 PT Cruiser

However, I still rank the PT lower than the other Weekend Athlete cars I’ve tested. The cargo area is not flat, which can be a pain if you’re carrying long items like bikes or skis. The hatch has a weird, light-touch switch that I just don’t like. (Others might love that, but to me it feels flimsy.) Also, the hatch itself doesn’t have a resounding feel to let you know it’s shut, so you have to press on the hatch to be sure. Finally, it’s fine for cruising, but it doesn’t have enough pickup on the highway. In contrast, I thought the Honda Element had much more pep despite a smaller engine.

Rating: 7.5
It holds a fair bit of stuff in a small package, like the Scion xB, but it’s not as fun to drive as the Scion. Its bi-level cargo floor puts it below the Mariner Hybrid and the reigning king, the Honda Element. It’s not a bad car, and I think it’s one you should have on your shopping list. The PT is much better than any sedan, that’s for sure, but I think it’s probably best for taking two people on a camping trip, rather than a jock on a weekend of racing.