Let's clear one thing up straight off the bat. This 2.4-litre version of Chrysler's PT Cruiser isn't particularly sporty. If you expect performance to match those aggressive looks, you'll need your expectations managed somewhat. There are, however, some compelling reasons to choose this unconventional Chrysler over many mini-MPVs.

The first comes down to price. Despite the large engine and those unique looks, a 2.4-litre PT costs no more than rival sensible-looking mini-MPVs - in fact, it costs a good deal less than many of them. In fact, you'll be able to walk into a Chrysler showroom and drive off in a PT Cruiser 2.4-litre Classic for just £12,995. Think about that for a moment. That's less than you'd pay for a 1.6-litre Ford Fusion or a base model Citroen Xsara Picasso, two cars with far less charisma than the quirky PT Cruiser. The Plusher Touring model weighs in at £14,570 and the Range-topping Limited is priced at £16,070. There's even a Cabrio version from £16,670.

Recent improvements include new headlamps and a smarter dashboard. There are also new round front foglamps and revised tail lights as well as a body-coloured spoiler for PT Cruiser anoraks to spot. Inside, you don't need to be an anorak to notice the differences. The cabin has a much more up-market look and feel in comparison to the previous version which quite frankly felt cheap. The dash has larger gauges, rotating airvents, a 'Chrysler signature' analogue clock and a new stereo, mounted higher for easier access. The centre console has a sliding armrest (replacing the previous fiddly seat-mounted armrests), houses a deep storage bin, a powerpoint to charge your mobile 'phone and has two neat, fold-out cup-holders for rear seat passengers. There are new seat trims and fabric choices too to complete what Chrysler hope is an 'individual feel'.

The 2.4-litre engine has a respectable turn of pace but it's not in the same league as, say, a turbocharged Vauxhall Zafira - but then for this money, you wouldn't expect it to be. Expect to see 60mph come and go in 10.3 seconds with a top speed of 12mph posted. The peak power figure of 143bhp is very respectable and the torque figure of 158 lb/ft should mean you shouldn't have to row this car along with the gearlever. Towing or driving with the car full of passengers and luggage will also feel far less of a chore with such a big engine although the 150bhp 2.2-litre CRD diesel version would still be our Cruiser of choice if heavy hauling was on the agenda.

"With prices starting at just £12,995, the 2.4-litre PT Cruiser offers serious value for money"

All PT Cruisers are still sourced from rather humble stock. The old Neon family saloon provides the basic platform for this car - but you wouldn't know that from a glance inside the far more spacious cabin. It's a bit of a shock to climb inside and find that here, things are a lot more conventional - though various efforts have been made to jazz things up a bit. Some of it works - the pool ball-style manual gear knob is a nice touch - but some of it still doesn't. The thin four-spoke steering wheel for example, still feels a bit cheap.

From a practical perspective however - just where you'd expect the car to be at its least impressive - the PT Cruiser is hard to fault. Though there are only two rows of seats, the cabin is extremely well thought out, with no fewer than 26 different interior combinations. For a start, the second row can be removed completely and has rollers to make the task easier (why has no one apart from Chrysler thought of that before?). They split-fold 65/35 and fold flat on the seat cushions when they do so.

Also available with the 2.4-litre engine is the PT Cruiser Cabrio. Despite our notoriously unpredictable maritime climate, Britain is Europe's biggest convertible market and we buy more soft tops here than the combined markets of Italy and Spain. If the PT Cruiser Convertible can't sell here, it's doomed.

The car is being promoted on the basis that it offers more room inside than virtually any other soft-top model. "Our engineers wanted to make the PT Cruiser Convertible a convertible that you can actually do things with," says Larry Lyons, VP Small Vehicle Product Team Engineering. "Nine different seat configurations and a pass-through boot opening with enough room to store two golf bags make the car more versatile than its competitors." Golf bags seem to be the new unit of measurement when it comes to boot space. Even Ferraris are now manufactured with boots that can accommodate a golf bag. It's hard to see the PT Cruiser Convertible at your local municipal. It would look happier crawling along a drive-thru lane or parked outside a trendy bar.

The hood is an electrically powered fabric affair and takes all of ten seconds to fold back. You'll need to twist a centre latch and then prang a dash-mounted button to lower the roof and if you really want to neaten things, there's a vinyl tonneau cover that, unlike many of its ilk, is surprisingly easy to fit. It is, however, quite a bulky affair and takes up a good deal of boot room when not in situ. With the roof down and the windows raised, there's precious little buffeting for the front seat occupants, although those taking advantage of the most generous rear legroom in class will get a sound battering from the wind at speeds much above 50mph. The fixed roll over hoop helps to cut wind intrusion at low speed but even that can't do a whole lot when you really press the throttle pedal.

Although some still find the styling a little contrived, others will continue to rejoice in the PT Cruiser's retro appeal. If Chrysler can underline the surprisingly low price and big-hearted 2.4-litre engine, they could well shift some respectable numbers.