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The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2009 Chevrolet HHR

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

Overview

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2009 Chevrolet HHR Review

By KBB.com Editors

While some dismiss the 2009 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 2009 Chevrolet 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 New for 2009

A new turbocharged SS model is added to the lineup and is available in both regular and panel van versions. The 2.2-liter engine receives variable valve timing and bump up in horsepower, while both the 2.2-liter and 2.4-liter engines are made E85 Flex-Fuel compatible. New available features include a rear backup camera and Bluetooth cell phone connectivity.

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. Performance fans will love the 260-horsepower SS trim, which offers a much stiffer suspension, a short throw five-speed manual shifter, larger wheels and improved steering response.

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.

2009 Chevrolet HHR Details

Interior

Unlike the retro-on-retro PT Cruiser, the 2009 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 and XM Satellite Radio, power windows/locks/mirrors, remote keyless entry, cruise control, 16-inch wheel covers, trip computer, OnStar front and side curtain airbags, traction control, anti-lock brakes (ABS) and StabiliTrak stability control. 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, ChromeTech 17-inch wheels, 260-watt Pioneer sound system, fog lights and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. The SS trim adds a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, unique front face with mesh grille, sport seats, A-pillar boost gauge, short throw shifter, a rear spoiler and 18-inch wheels.

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 with standard remote start, leather seating, heated front seats, performance driver's seat, rear backup camera, USB-port, power moonroof, 260-watt sound system with subwoofer, in-dash six-disc changer, MP3 compatibility, Bluetooth and 16- or 17-inch wheels.

Under the Hood

While more aggressive drivers will be best served by either the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine mated to the five-speed manual transmission, or the potent 2.0-liter turbo in the SS trims, none of the HHR's powertrain combinations feel the least bit anemic. Both the 2.2-liter and 2.4-liter engines are now E85 FlexFuel compatible. They are also 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
155 horsepower @ 6100 rpm
150 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 22/32 (manual), 22/30 (automatic), 16/23 (E85, manual), 16/22 (E85, automatic)

2.4-liter in-line 4
172 horsepower @ 5800 rpm
167 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 21/30 (manual), 22/29 (automatic), 16/22 (E85, manual), 15/21 (E85, automatic)}

2.0-liter in-line 4 turbocharged
260 horsepower @ 5300 rpm (manual)
260 lb.-ft. of torque @ 2000 rpm
250 horsepower @ 5500 rpm (automatic)
223 lb.-ft. of torque @ 1650 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 21/29 (manual), 19/29 (automatic)

To compare current market prices, check out KBB.com's car classifieds to view the new and used Chevrolet HHR vehicles for sale near you.

Trading in or Selling? Know where you stand with the most up-to-date Kelley Blue Book Value at your fingertips. See your car's value

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2009 Chevrolet HHR Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

8.2

Out of 10

Based on 703 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

8.4/10

Styling

8.7/10

WOuld buy another one today!

By One-Eyed Walrus (CA) on Friday, July 26, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 180,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

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

Pros: "Small = great milage, but good cargo room."

Cons: "window controls are on the right.... weird."

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

"I put 180,000 miles on this car with no problems. It's big in the back (station wagon), and it gets about 30mpg. If I had to buy another car today, it would be a 2011 HHR, no question."

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Great car and features for the dollar

By david (VA) on Saturday, July 06, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 130,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

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

Pros: "Very versitale - good gas mileage"

Cons: "Front rotors and axles"

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

"This is the best nearly new vehicle I ever bought. Go with the LT or better. Features great for the $$. Mine has ridden and driven so smooth and quite from day one. Be prepared to have the front rotors turned or replaced every 30K miles. Watch for a roar from the front drivetrain. This most likely will be a front axle hub but it is a cheap and easy fix if you do it yourself. I got 62k miles out of the factory tires. So pleased with them I put the same tires on it again. 60K miles again. At 130K miles I would leave today for California. Great - Great car."

3 people out of 3 found this review helpful

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Dependable Utility Vehicle

By Getzville Greg (NY) on Saturday, June 29, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 53,000

10 6.0

overall rating 6 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 6/10
Value: 5/10
Reliability: 8/10
Quality: 6/10
Performance: 7/10
Styling: 5/10
Comfort: 2/10

Pros: "Good gas mileage; inexpensive operating costs;"

Cons: "Poor on Resale value; Too small, under powered;"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 5

"I will start with my chief complaint. It sticks in my crawl that although I received, the $4500 Cash for clunkers, GM supplier pricing and zero percent financing, after four years of paying down principal, I am still sitting on a vehicle that has lost value faster than I can pay off the loan. As of June 2013 I still owe $8700 on a car KBB says is worth between $6 and $7K. American cars still do not hold their value! (A similar Nissan, that I had considered would have allowed me to upgrade a year ago) Bargain hard for a used one, they do not hold their value. Staying with the negatives, the vehicle is not very comfortable for a big guy. Too tight, too small, no dash to set a cup of coffee on. Inconvenient drink holders. Too small for a 6'2" guy to set the driver's seat without crushing the passenger behind legs. The car is under-powered. Could have used a turbocharge boost. Brake problems have been an issue. Positives: decent on gas mileage. But for the Brake issues, it has been a very inexpensive auto to run. One recall and a manufacturing defect in the electrical system on my car were minimally disruptive. Because I traded in a repair plagued SAAB, the HHR has been a relief with regard to dependability. Overall, I would give this vehicle a 6. A good dependable utility vehicle."

3 people out of 3 found this review helpful

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Highly recommended

By Hhr mom on Friday, June 21, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 145,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 6/10
Performance: 8/10
Styling: 6/10
Comfort: 8/10

Pros: "Roomy/ good mpg for a commuter/parent /dependable"

Cons: "Battery in trunk/ alarm w/o keyless entry"

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

"Bought the vehicle used @35,000 miles. Have put 100,000+ miles on its since with only routine care required. Great gas mileage if you're not too speedy- @55 mph I've had 36.6 mpg. Regularly I drive 75 mph with 28-30 mpg. Tons of room in the back especially with the rear seats laying forward to haul just about anything. I was unsure about the car when I bought it but now yrs and miles later I love it!"

7 people out of 7 found this review helpful

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this car is no problem, love it ,have to sell it.

By joey leftovers (NJ) on Thursday, May 30, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 55,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

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

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

"bought this car used as a chevy hhr panel. loved it as a sedan delivery looking back to the 50's and 60's. got grandchildren and needed more seating, so I converted it into a 4 seater with a rear seat, still keeping the sedan delivery look."

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great for being disabled.

By luvbug (MO) on Wednesday, May 08, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 55,000

10 6.0

overall rating 6 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 6/10
Value: 8/10
Reliability: 8/10
Quality: 8/10
Performance: 8/10
Styling: 8/10
Comfort: 7/10

Pros: "VERY comfortable and fun to drive"

Cons: "no cigarette lighter"

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

"I am disabled with a horribly painful back. I bought the car because I love the looks. The car is so comfortable. There are no blind spots, it is very easy to see everything. I always get lots of compliments. All of my grandchildren want it. I won't be trading it in any time soon!!!!"

5 people out of 6 found this review helpful

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See all 703 reviews