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The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2008 Chevrolet HHR

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Curious about the newer model? Check out the 2011 Chevrolet HHR

Overview

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2008 Chevrolet HHR Review

By KBB.com Editorial Staff

While some dismiss the 2008 Chevrolet HHR as little more than a PT Cruiser clone, in truth the two vehicles appeal to very different audiences. Where the PT seems to pull in Baby Boomers and Gen X males, the HHR speaks to today's young drivers who like to customize their cars with extreme paint jobs and near-deafening sound systems. By itself, this slick piece of work serves as a practical wagon version of the Cobalt sedan disguised as a retro mini Suburban. There's even a cool Panel version with windowless side panels and side cargo doors. Though smaller than it appears in pictures, the HHR is nevertheless a versatile and fun-to-drive vehicle as equally suited to small families as it is to hip singles.

You'll Like This Car If...

If you like your retro style backed with substance, the functional, comfortable and eager HHR will satisfy you beyond its intriguing looks.

You May Not Like This Car If...

While the HHR is indeed versatile, it's still based on a small-car platform. So, if you've got big stuff to haul—or just a lot of stuff—you might need a larger vehicle.

What's Significant About This Car?

The LT trim now offers StabiliTrak stability control, while Chevrolet makes OnStar standard equipment on all 2008 HHR models. A new, five-passenger HHR model is available with solid rear quarter panels in place of the usual glass.

Driving the HHR

Driving Impressions One of the best things you can say about a vehicle is that it handles like a smaller car and rides like a bigger one. Such is the case with...

the HHR. With its raised seating position and truck-like attitude, you might not expect the HHR to handle like the small car it really is. It's just as surprising out on the highway, where it's smooth for its size and notably quiet. Even when outfitted with the base engine and four-speed automatic transmission, the HHR still feels adequately motivated, although throttle response is a bit slow and the electrically-assisted power steering feels vague and somewhat disconnected.

Favorite Features

Remote Start
HHRs equipped with automatic transmissions include a remote start feature that lets you start heating or cooling the cabin before you even set foot outside your home.

Audio Input Jack
A front-mounted auxiliary input jack makes it easy to connect any MP3 player or other audio source to the HHR's sound system.

2008 Chevrolet HHR Details

Interior

Unlike the retro-on-retro PT Cruiser, the 2008 Chevrolet HHR features thoroughly modern interior styling. Tasteful chrome rings and accents combine with pleasing buttons and knobs in a contemporary interior that looks and feels like nothing from the automaker's past. While there's at least as much plastic as you'd expect, its artfully crafted style is much less objectionable than in many of the cars in its price range. The HHR also treats its occupants to notably comfortable seats. Versatility is definitely one of the car's strong suits, with features like a front passenger seat that folds down to accommodate longer items and a cargo floor that hides a shallow storage bin and also lifts to create a two-tier load area. Panel models feature rear cargo doors that do not have handles but open via a dash-mounted button.

Exterior

Featuring a retro design heavily inspired by Chevy's own 1949 Suburban, the HHR plays the stylized delivery wagon to the PT Cruiser's boulevard prowler. This bodes well for the HHR, considering the proven appeal of the utilitarian Scion xB. Up front, a towering hood is fronted by a big chrome grille. Moving toward the rear, flared fenders, rounded corners and circular taillights work in concert to strengthen the HHR's link with the past. As was the case when the PT Cruiser was first introduced, from its pictures it's easy to imagine the HHR to be a much bigger vehicle.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

The HHR LS wagon includes a 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine, five-speed manual transmission, air conditioning, AM/FM/CD sound system with auxiliary input jack, power windows/locks/mirrors, remote keyless entry, cruise control, 16-inch wheel covers, trip computer, OnStar and front airbags. The 1LT trim adds an MP3/CD player, eight-way power driver's seat with lumbar support, 16-inch alloy wheels and satin chrome exterior accents. The 2LT trim adds the 2.4-liter engine, FE3 Sport suspension with StabiliTrak stability control, 17-inch wheels, 260-watt Pioneer sound system, fog lights and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob.

Optional Equipment

Features that will take you beyond base sticker price include a more powerful 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, four-speed automatic transmission, leather seating, heated front seats, power driver's seat, stiffer suspension, power moonroof, 260-watt sound system with subwoofer, in-dash six-disc changer, MP3 compatibility, XM Satellite Radio, remote start (standard with automatic transmission) and 16- or 17-inch wheels. Optional safety equipment includes two-row side-curtain airbags, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes (ABS) and traction control.

Under the Hood

While more aggressive drivers will be best served by the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine mated to the five-speed manual transmission, none of the HHR's powertrain combinations feel the least bit anemic. Both the 2.2-liter and 2.4-liter engines are louder than one might expect, especially at full throttle. Vibration and harshness, however, are well in line with other small four-cylinder engines from Ford, Chrysler and Hyundai.

2.2-liter in-line 4
149 horsepower @ 6000 rpm
152 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 21/30 (manual), 22/30 (automatic)

2.4-liter in-line 4
172 horsepower @ 5800 rpm
167 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/28 (manual), 22/28 (automatic)

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2008 Chevrolet HHR Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

8.2

Out of 10

Based on 693 Ratings for the 2006 - 2011 models.

Review this car

Value

8.5/10

Quality

8.3/10
Reliability

8.7/10

Performance

8.4/10
Comfort

8.5/10

Styling

8.7/10

Love, Love, Love this car!

By Becca (OH) on Wednesday, January 30, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 57,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 8/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Options, fun to drive, hauls lots of stuff"

Cons: "Visibility- you really have to be on your toes."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I bought this car originally for the features at the price. I have heated, leather seats, moonroof, tons of cargo space and a pretty comfortable back seat at a great price! I can haul people and stuff with ease! I will be hard-pressed to find a suitable replacement when the time comes."

7 people out of 7 found this review helpful

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Surprised at how much I liked this car.

By Felicity (NC) on Thursday, January 10, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 95,000

10 8.0

overall rating 8 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 8/10
Value: 8/10
Reliability: 9/10
Quality: 8/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 7/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Versitile, gutsy, different looking. Lots of room"

Cons: "Weird switch placement, plastic interior"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"Good gas mileage, overall around 30 - 32 MPG, country and highway driving combined. Front seat folds down forward --I haul alot of 8' 2/4 lumber, can slide it in the back. Have loaded a claw foot bathtub, washing machines, recliners. Interior is tall and is only limited by the back door dimensions which are still generous. I can go 80+ up long inclines, lots of go. Seat is easily adjustable so during long trips I can change height and lumbar to ease fatigue. After 6 years I'm almost used to the window switches being above the console on the dash board, behind the gear shift knob. Not my favorite. The door handles are plastic, which is stupid. Driver side broke. Not hard to replace, but really! Had to replace the entire hub when the bearings wore on the front passenger tire. Fairly expensive, but as far as upkeep goes, that's about it. Always starts, good heater, good speakers, lots of electrical outlets for GPS and phone. Nice and shiney after 6 hard years in the Smokey Mts."

9 people out of 9 found this review helpful

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