Front impact: Good
Side impact: Poor
Whiplash protection: Poor
ESC: Not available
In the IIHS's side-crash test of the PT Cruiser, impact forces measured on the test dummies indicated a likelihood of serious injuries in real people.
The PT Cruiser doesn't have backseat side airbags and it's also the only car in this group on which electronic stability control is not available.
Chrysler LLC points out that the PT Cruiser got good marks in government crash tests, saying in a corporate statement that "No single test can determine a vehicle's overall safety performance. "
NEXT: Mini Cooper
Last updated December 17 2008: 11:21 AM ET