What Is It?
2006 Chevrolet HHR
What's Special About It?
The HHR is an all-new compact five-door that rides on the same platform as the Chevy Cobalt and Saturn Ion. Loosely styled after a 1949 Suburban, the HHR also shares its lines with the upmarket SSR roadster pickup. Two Ecotech engines are available, a 2.2-liter four that produces 145 horsepower and an optional 2.4-liter four that cranks out 170 hp. A five-speed manual is standard, and a four-speed automatic is optional.
Highlights include seating for five with fold-flat seats, removable storage trays and an impressive 63 cubic feet of storage space. Storage lockers hidden under the seats provide plenty of extra space to stash your gear, and with the seats folded down the HHR can even accommodate a pair of surfboards.
The interior features a large center stack with integrated stereo and climate controls, two-tone color schemes and a handsome chrome-trimmed instrument cluster. Standard features include a six-speaker stereo with CD, power windows and door locks, air conditioning and keyless entry. Some of the cooler options include XM radio, an MP3 player, a large power sunroof and 17-inch alloy wheels. Stepping up to the 2LT package adds a leather-wrapped steering wheel, Pioneer stereo with subwoofer, sport suspension and chrome exterior trim.
What's Edmunds' Take?
Nostalgia is the name of the automotive game these days, and throwing retro bodywork on a compact car chassis is a great way to attract new customers. Chrysler established the formula with its popular PT Cruiser, but that vehicle is starting to show its age, especially the Neon platform it's based on. Chevrolet's image has grown a bit stodgy in recent years, but new products like the HHR and the Cobalt it's based on could help turn things around. The interior is cleanly styled and looks nicely fit and finished, and the overall style of the car is much more exciting than the jellybean sedans the bow-tie gang has been producing over the past decade. Chevrolet may be a little late to the show, but the HHR should appeal to buyers looking for a cool yet practical small car that can be rolled out the door for less than $20 grand. — Dan Kahn
2006 Chevrolet HHR
What's Special About It?
The HHR is an all-new compact five-door that rides on the same platform as the Chevy Cobalt and Saturn Ion. Loosely styled after a 1949 Suburban, the HHR also shares its lines with the upmarket SSR roadster pickup. Two Ecotech engines are available, a 2.2-liter four that produces 145 horsepower and an optional 2.4-liter four that cranks out 170 hp. A five-speed manual is standard, and a four-speed automatic is optional.
Highlights include seating for five with fold-flat seats, removable storage trays and an impressive 63 cubic feet of storage space. Storage lockers hidden under the seats provide plenty of extra space to stash your gear, and with the seats folded down the HHR can even accommodate a pair of surfboards.
The interior features a large center stack with integrated stereo and climate controls, two-tone color schemes and a handsome chrome-trimmed instrument cluster. Standard features include a six-speaker stereo with CD, power windows and door locks, air conditioning and keyless entry. Some of the cooler options include XM radio, an MP3 player, a large power sunroof and 17-inch alloy wheels. Stepping up to the 2LT package adds a leather-wrapped steering wheel, Pioneer stereo with subwoofer, sport suspension and chrome exterior trim.
What's Edmunds' Take?
Nostalgia is the name of the automotive game these days, and throwing retro bodywork on a compact car chassis is a great way to attract new customers. Chrysler established the formula with its popular PT Cruiser, but that vehicle is starting to show its age, especially the Neon platform it's based on. Chevrolet's image has grown a bit stodgy in recent years, but new products like the HHR and the Cobalt it's based on could help turn things around. The interior is cleanly styled and looks nicely fit and finished, and the overall style of the car is much more exciting than the jellybean sedans the bow-tie gang has been producing over the past decade. Chevrolet may be a little late to the show, but the HHR should appeal to buyers looking for a cool yet practical small car that can be rolled out the door for less than $20 grand. — Dan Kahn
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