Review
Introduction
The Chevrolet HHR hit the market in 2005, about five years after Chrysler launched the similarly styled PT Cruiser, and we wondered, “Who would buy an imitation PT Cruiser from Chevrolet?” The public answered by snapping up more than 100,000 HHRs in its first full year of sales. To its credit, the HHR is slightly larger than a PT Cruiser, and the look is different enough to distinguish it from Chrysler’s version, even though both came from the pen of the same designer (who left Chrysler for GM after designing the PT). It turns out that retro styling on a compact-car platform is a practical formula that still finds buyers.
In 2007, Chevrolet launched the HHR Panel, which is an HHR minus a rear seat and without any side glass behind the front door. Intended for commercial use (think local florists or catering businesses)—or perhaps for someone who wants to airbrush a unicorn or wizard on the side—the HHR Panel is an homage to the panel and delivery vehicles of the past. New for 2008 is an HHR that has a rear seat and rear-door glass but a solid rear quarter-panel; call it the “Sorta Panel.”
Inside, the HHR feels remarkably spacious, thanks to the high roofline. The dashboard design has some retro elements, but the cabin’s hard plastics are a disappointment. Regular HHR buyers can choose a 2.2-liter four-cylinder with 149 horsepower or a more-powerful 172-hp, 2.4-liter version of the same engine. Both pull the HHR around admirably and return fuel-economy numbers in the mid- to high-20-mpg range.
New for 2008 is the HHR SS, which boasts a 260-hp, 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The HHR SS also gets a firmer suspension and special SS trim. With the exception of the HHR SS, the HHR isn’t an exciting vehicle to drive, but it is quiet, reasonably refined, and offers a solid feel that belies its Chevy Cobalt roots.
Verdict
The HHR doesn’t break any new ground in style or utility, but it is a solid competitor to Chrysler’s PT Cruiser. Along with the retro styling, the HHR has a spacious interior, good fuel economy, and a practical cargo area to recommend it. The 260-hp HHR SS offers real performance and keeps most of the practicality of the regular-grade HHR.
Click here to read our full review of the Chevrolet HHR.
Click here to read our full review of the Chevrolet HHR SS.
Click here to read our latest comparison test involving the Chevrolet HHR.
What’s New for 2008
The HHR SS blasts onto the scene this year and brings serious performance to the HHR lineup. Other lineup-wide changes include optional stability control plus standard tire-pressure monitoring and OnStar emergency services. The other big news is the aforementioned version that splits the difference between the HHR Panel and the regular HHR by offering a rear seat and rear-door windows. A new 16-inch wheel design and four new colors also debut for 2008.
