Used 2008 Chevrolet HHR

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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)