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The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2011 Chevrolet HHR

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Overview

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2011 Chevrolet HHR Review

By KBB.com Editors

While some dismiss the 2011 Chevrolet HHR as little more than a PT Cruiser clone, in truth the two vehicles appeal to very different audiences. Where the PT once pulled 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. And, since Chrysler has now officially announced the death of the PT Cruiser, the HHR stands alone in the quasi-retro American panel truck field. 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 2011 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 2011

Two new paint colors are added to the HHR's exterior color choices, and a one-year paid subscription to XM Satellite Radio is added to the My Link package. The sporty SS trim has been dropped from the line.

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 2011 Chevrolet 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. Those who prefer a bit more guts to their ride will probably be happier with the 2LT's 174-horsepower, 2.4-liter engine.

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.

2011 Chevrolet HHR Details

Interior

Avoiding the "total retro look", the 2011 Chevrolet HHR treats its occupants to a thoroughly modern interior. 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 possesses 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 or by using the remote key fob.

Exterior

Featuring a retro design heavily inspired by Chevy's own 1949 Suburban, the HHR plays the stylized delivery wagon to the boxy urban scooter image of such cars as the Scion xB and Nissan Cube. 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/MP3-compatible CD sound system with auxiliary input jack and three-month subscription to XM Satellite Radio, power windows/locks/mirrors, remote keyless entry, cruise control, 16-inch wheel covers, trip computer, OnStar Safe and Sound package, front and side curtain airbags, traction control, anti-lock brakes (ABS) and StabiliTrak stability control. The 1LT trim adds an, 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.

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, rear backup camera, power moonroof, 260-watt sound system with subwoofer, and 16- or 17-inch wheels. The My Link package adds Bluetooth wireless connectivity, OnStar with Directions and Connections, a USB port, leather-wrapped steering wheel with touch controls and a one year subscription to XM Satellite Radio and a MP3-compatible CD player.

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, the base 2.2-liter engine is far from anemic. Both the 2.2-liter and 2.4-liter engines are now E85 Flex Fuel 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 Kia.

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: 22/30 (gasoline, manual), 16/23 (E85, manual), 22/30 (gasoline, automatic), 15/21 (E85, 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.

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2011 Chevrolet HHR Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

8.2

Out of 10

Based on 699 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

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!!!!"

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Perfect for variety!

By EventPlanner (AR) on Saturday, April 27, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 37,100

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: 10/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "A great family and working vehicle"

Cons: "Poor customer service in our area."

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

"I've driven my car coast to coast, very comfy, even with 4 of us in it on a 2400 mile trip. It's so versatile, and allows me to haul many different things (like the flooring for my house), and keep up with style, comfort, and family. I also feel safer in it's designs if it were ever to be in a wreck, as it feels safer than many."

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

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Fast, economical car

By Dufusboy (IN) on Wednesday, April 24, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 21,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

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

Pros: "Fast, fun to drive"

Cons: "Seeing up/out front windshield at times"

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

"The HHR/SS is a fast car with turbo charging, and with 2.0 L. (250 hp) it still gets good mileage (24 to 27) around town, IF you keep your foot out of it! Handling is excellent, fast electric steering, stiff suspension, excellent brakes, excellent tires... wish I would have gotten a 4 speed!"

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SS is fast, fuel efficient, fun, different, cool

By rickyd (MI) on Sunday, March 24, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 73,000

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: 7/10
Comfort: 8/10

Pros: "fast good mpg cool styling great optional seats"

Cons: "no passenger vanity mirror no nav available"

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

"I upgrade the performance with the GM dealer installed performance chip, which I recommend highly, a K&N filter with less restrictive tube to the turbo, and a wonderful rear sway bar by Turbo Tech that made the car handle more like a slot car! The part-throttle driveability and full throttle performance both increased as well as a slight increase in gas mileage after I installed the GM performance chip and gave the car the rocket ship performance it should have had from the factory! I ordered the SS from the dealer with every option except the roof rack, and by far, the GM performance SS seats have impressed me the most. Very durable and comfortable, as well as the best looking seat I've ever owned in a vehicle. Take both kids and my wife on many long vacations to Washington DC, to N.C, thru Tennessee, around the UP of Michigan, etc, and always feel fresh at the end of the day and no complaints from the kids. Meanwhile, Dad stays happy by winning all the stoplight wars and averages close to 30 mpg, while listening to a killer factory sound system with subwoofer and satelite radio (not good in tall forests!) or CD: all for less than $24,000 brand new! Great deal: it's almost paid for, but I can't find a similar vehicle with all the above attributes and something more to make me part with my SS, and certainly not for the price!"

2 people out of 2 found this review helpful

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unique stlying very sporty little wagon

By big B (MD) on Saturday, March 23, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 31,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

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

Pros: "sporty,economical,hauls 4 ppl + room for groceries"

Cons: "short windsheild-low roof line"

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

"Owned it for a over a year now and is awesome car. I love the heated leather seats and the power moon roof. With mine being onyx black with dark charcoal grey interior I thought the a/c might not keep it cool,, but I was wrong,it will keep it really cool. With the chrome pkg inc wheels the local kids think its a cool car,I'm 45 years old. Gas mileage is aroung 28 city 30-33 we have a lot of mountains around Here and that little 2.2 will run 70+ easily up any of em even with 4 adults. Haven't had any warrenty or maintence issues what so ever."

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

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I would recommend

By Ash (IL) on Monday, March 11, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 52,211

10 8.0

overall rating 8 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 8/10
Value: Not Rated
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 8/10
Performance: 7/10
Styling: 7/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "spacious, foldable seats, great gas mileage"

Cons: "bad in the snow, not powerful"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 8

"This car gets wonderful gas mileage. I can drive 2 1/2 hours on the highway and only use 1/8 tank of gas! I love that the seats fold down (including the front passenger) for easy moving. The blind spots are pretty bad, but you get use to it and better at figuring them out. The windows/windshield are pretty small, but in the summer, the smaller windows seem to keep the hot sun from beating down into the car-keeping it cooler. Although it has traction control, this car is not the greatest in the snow. I had a 1994 Buick Century before this, and it did much better in the snow if that's saying something!"

2 people out of 2 found this review helpful

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See all 699 reviews