Editors' Most Wanted Vehicles for 2001

Most Significant Vehicle of the Year

Winner: Chrysler PT Cruiser

The PT is loosely based off the Neon platform, as its exceptional ride and handling characteristics confirm. Though a certain amount of body roll accompanies any change in direction, the Cruiser remains composed under all but the most extreme maneuvers. We're not recommending people autocross their PT Cruisers, but in comparison to Honda's CR-V, Toyota's RAV4 or Nissan's Xterra, the PT is clearly the "driver's mini-ute" among its main competition.

But the real payoff in PT Cruiser ownership comes from the reaction it generates wherever it goes. With waves and smiles, it's like New Beetle-mania all over again. What amazes us most about this car is not the functionality or the low price or even the 1940s hot rod look, but the fact that the PT Cruiser exists at all. The straight-laced world of Corporate America isn't known for taking risks, and nowhere is this attitude more prevalent than in the boardrooms of our conservative Big Three automakers. So love it or hate it, any of us with even a drop of automotive enthusiasm in our blood owes Chrysler major kudos for making the PT happen.

At a starting MSRP of $16,500 and topping out at less than $23,000 for a fully loaded Limited Edition model, the PT is a potential bargain...if you can find one going for MSRP. Just don't buy the PT Cruiser for its performance, and don't expect to be left alone when driving it.