The Chrysler PT Cruiser is a typically American "retro"-styled station wagon or hatchback built by Chrysler, a marque of DaimlerChrysler.

The PT Cruiser was on Car and Driver's Ten Best list and won the North American Car of the Year award that year.

It is a front-wheel drive 4-passenger vehicle, classified as a truck by the NHTSA for CAFE fuel economy calculations but as a car by most other metrics. Indeed, Chrysler specifically designed the PT Cruiser to fit the NHTSA criteria for a light truck in order to bring the average fuel efficiency of the company's light truck fleet into compliance with CAFE standards.

When initially introduced, demand for the car was, in many cases, higher than dealer supply, seeing customers put on waiting lists. Anticipation of the car was high, making for a debut that was among most successful.