KansasCity.com's view

DEL MAR, Calif.–The PT Cruiser is like a four-wheeled magician: On the boulevard, it’s a pseudo-hot rod with the eye-popping magnetism of a Prowler; in the driveway, it turns into a small minivan whose seats can be configured more than 25 different ways.

It can be everything from a five-passenger sedan to a one-passenger hauler with room for a stepladder, which is why it is named the PT (Personal Transportation) Cruiser. Astonishingly, prices start at $16,000 and range up to just over $20,000 with 16-inch wheels, sunroof and leather seats.

It is built in both left- and right-hand-drive versions in Toluca, Mexico. It should begin showing up in dealerships later this month.

The PT Cruiser exists for as many reasons as there are seat combinations, but a key one is that it gives buyers an exciting reason to choose a small car, something which is not much of a priority in the land of SUVs.

Bryan Nesbitt, exterior designer, explains: “Usually you have to spend $40,000 to get a real statement in a vehicle — an Audi TT, a Corvette — and that’s ridiculous. You should be able to get exactly what you want, as much fashion as possible.”

In other words, the PT Cruiser is also about affordable style. It will be sold in international markets, too. Nesbitt said its look should have the same cachet as Coca-Cola, Levis and Marlboros.

“The pseudo-hot-rod look is all about an American way of driving, an American style of life. The PT Cruiser is very laid back, very comfortable, more of a companion than anything else,” he said.

“We wanted to get as much fashion as possible without violating the package,” he said.

The interior was designed to have the flexiblity of a duffel bag.

“I can manipulate it in the way I want to, not the way the manufacturer wants me to. It’s my space and I can do with it what I want,” said Nesbitt.

The split rear seat can be folded down or taken out, creating a flat load floor and the hauling flexibility of a small minivan, which is why the Cruiser is technically a truck. The back of the front passenger seat can be folded forward to create a hauling space that stretches from the dashboard to the tailgate. Even the rear package shelf has five different positions, including one that enables it to function like a serving table under the open hatchback.

Doors open wide for easy entry and the step-in is barely higher than a regular car. The seating position is upright, like in a minivan or an SUV, for good visibility and comfort. Although the PT Cruiser’s overall length of 168.8 inches is about 5 inches shorter than a Neon or a Ford Focus, its interior volume is on par with that of a full-size sedan because it is 7 inches taller than a Neon.

Rear-seat legroom is decent even for passengers up to 6-feet tall.

A chameleon would be proud of the Cruiser’s ability to be whatever its owner wants it to be. There’s just one exception. It can’t be fast.

N o matter how tough it looks, this compact, front-wheel-drive vehicle is toted around by a 150-horsepower, four-cylinder engine that has adequate, but not exciting, performance. The auto writers who gathered here to test drive various models for a day sounded a common call: More power.

But, taken in a real-world context where everyday drivers aren’t concerned with blasting away from stoplights or pegging the speedometer, the performance of the 2.4-liter, DOHC engine (also used in the Dodge Stratus and Caravan) will suit most folks just fine. It accelerates to 60 mph in 9 seconds or so and scoots around the city handily. Especially with the five-speed manual.

It’s no coincidence that a turbocharged GT Cruiser concept with 200 horsepower has already been displayed at various auto shows. DaimlerChrysler execs will not confirm whether this is a future product or not.

Once behind the wheel, I was most surprised by the lack of noise, nicely weighted steering and the tigh solid feel of the body. For a car that starts at $16,000, it looks and drives like it is considerably more expensive.

Its character is further enhanced by the wide variety of tasteful textures on interior surfaces. Painted panels surround the instruments and cover the passenger airbag while dimpled rubber is used on the steering wheel spokes and door panels. Chrome door handles look like pieces of sculpture and even the optional leather seats have elegant accents of suede.

Despite its tall roofline, the Cruiser doesn’t drive with the top-heaviness of a minivan. It felt secure and stable wiggling through the curved roads that dot the hills east of San Diego. The ride is much tighter than a minivan but not as choppy as an SUV. The suspension is independent in front, while in back a Watts linkage is used with a beam axle, the first time this has been done.

Throughout the vehicle, innovative thinking is obvious:

The map pockets in the front doors, for example, have holes that create a sense of style as well as let you can see what’s inside.

The foldable rear seats have handles for lifting them out.

Air ducts are integrated into the floor to direct warm air to the passenger’s feet.

The center console has two cupholders and slots for letters or CDs.

The center section of the winged Chrysler emblem on the trunk lid is the handle that opens the hatch.

The PT Cruiser is not only the first Chrysler aimed at first-time buyers, but its appeal also cuts across traditional demographic segments. Young singles are just as interested in the car as empty nesters and new families. More than 300,000 people responded to the PT Cruiser before production ever began.

That groundswell of interest means that the first year’s production of 120,000 to 130,000 vehicles will be in high demand, and some dealers are likely to charge more than the sticker price for the first ones.

Price

The base price starts at $16,000 for the basic vehicle and ranges to $19,995 for the Limited Edition with automatic transmission.

The most expensive model I drove listed for $20,505.

Warranty

Three years or 36,000 miles.

To get in touch with Tom Strongman call (816) 234-4349 or e-mail: strongmn@kcstar.com.

There is no At A Glance box since this was a preview drive of an early- production model. We will conduct a test drive of a regular car when one is available.

SPECIFICATIONS:

ENGINE: 2.4-liter, four-cyl.

TRANSMISSION: Five-speed or automatic

CONFIGURATION: Front-wheel drive

WHEELBASE: 103 inches

CURB WEIGHT: 3,187 lbs.

BASE PRICE: $16,000

PRICE AS DRIVEN: $20,505

MPG RATING: 20 city, 25 hwy.