Overview & Reviews

The Chevrolet HHR was something of a late arrival to the compact wagon scene. Its name stood for "Heritage High Roof," referring to its tall retro-wagon styling, which Chevrolet claims was inspired by the '49 Suburban. Everything else about the vehicle, however, was decidedly modern.

Though compact in size, the Chevy HHR featured clever interior packaging solutions, including a split-folding rear seat, a fold-flat front passenger seat and a cargo area floor (with built-in grocery bag hooks) that allowed it to accommodate bulky and/or long cargo items. For shoppers searching for a used versatile compact wagon that's also stylish, the HHR certainly merits consideration.

Most Recent Chevrolet HHR
The Chevrolet HHR was a compact four-door wagon produced from 2006-'11. It shared its front-wheel-drive architecture -- and thus many of its driving characteristics -- with Chevrolet's Cobalt compact sedan.

In testing, our editors commented favorably about the HHR's smooth and quiet ride, ample cargo space, attractive interior, excellent visibility and versatile sound system. The cabin boasted nicely detailed gauges, tight construction and substantial-feeling controls. There was, however, no shortage of hard plastics on hand that sullied the overall ambience. The HHR's tall ceiling provided headroom aplenty, but the narrow body limited comfort for adults riding in the backseat. Other downsides included weak brakes, underwhelming handling dynamics and a lack of refinement from the 2.4-liter engine.

Four trim levels were offered: LS, 1LT, 2LT and a high-performance SS version produced from 2008-'10. A two-seat panel van version that came in LS, LT and SS trims was available every year but 2006.

The base engine was a 2.2-liter four-cylinder that initially produced 143 horsepower, but was bumped to 149 for 2007 and to 155 for 2010. Available on the LT was a 2.4-liter four-cylinder that produced either 172 hp or 175 depending on the year (it actually went back and forth). The SS featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder good for 260 hp, along with stronger brakes and an enhanced suspension that together made it quite fun to drive. Front-wheel drive and a five-speed manual were standard with all, but a four-speed automatic was optional.

Besides the minor horsepower bumps, changes to the HHR were limited to standard features. Most notably, this included stability control for 2008 as well as antilock brakes and side curtain airbags the following year.

User Reviews:

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  Had mine 2 weeks - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By Keith - August 10 - 7:05 pm

  I agree with most of the other reviews. It is fun to drive. Great on gas. And many features for the money.The remote start will be nice in the winter. Im not an autoworker but I would like to see GM make the HHR at the Morine plant thats going to close next year. I think that would be a good move for GM and the people in Morine.

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  A Really Great Little Car - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By cc732 - August 9 - 8:08 pm

  It was hard to replace my little 99 2dr. Cavalier, but I was lovestruck when I saw the HHR. My local dealer gave me a great trade-in and found a car with the options I wanted. I had an issue with an interior water leak, but it was fixed to my satisfaction. A later pulsating brake issue was resolved quickly with little interruption to my busy schedule. I love the way it handles and interior space is great. The fuel economy is good with the base 2.2L auto. The seats are comfortable and adjust well. I currently lease and hope to buy it at the end. After 30,000 miles, it has been a very practical, reliable and affordable vehicle.

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  All About My Little Wagon! - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By edmondsmd - August 7 - 10:37 pm

  It rides very smooth. Im 66 and its the most spacious compact car Ive ever owned. I own a computer repair business and Im absolutely nuts about the shelf in the rear cargo area not to mention the 61 cubic feet of cargo room. I had one problem with a passengers side kick board that came loose sometime right around when I bought it. The dealership took care of it promptly.

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  HHR water leaks - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By BRANDOGGY - August 6 - 5:05 pm

  My 08 panel HHR developed a water leak somewhere in the body of the vehicle. The dealer had it for a week and say they fixed the problem. That is yet to be determined. Problem was found when I took it for an oil change and discovered 3 lights out. I took it to the dealer and there was 2 inches of water in the rear floorboard from where the rain got in. The water shorted out the electrical system. My advise is to keep a close eye on your HHR particularly in the back seat area. If you detect an oder of mildew or notice any lights out, take it to the dealer at once. Other than this problem I love the vehicle

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  Retro-wagon - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By impalaman61 - August 6 - 1:48 pm

  I love my little HHR! Its fun to drive, I get all the looks, and it hasnt given me one problem yet. It gets okay gas mileage and definitely could use more umph in the horsepower but overall Im satisfied with it.

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  A lot of bang for the buck! - 2007 Chevrolet HHR
  By Matt - August 5 - 2:50 pm

  I bought my 2007 HHR sight unseen, just because I loved the exterior styling so much. I hadnt even driven one until I took it off the dealers lot. I knew from the first moment after that point that this was going to be an automobile that I would love, and I do. The smooth and quiet ride, I would dare say, is compariable to more expensive luxury vehicles, and the attention to detail in the manufacturing shows. Fuel economy is excellant, averaging 34 MPG, I can now go as long as two weeks between fueling, and I travel a good distance to my job.

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  Awesome car with soul - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By bubbak - August 1 - 9:25 pm

  Was looking for a fun, practical vehicle to pick up after dumping a boring mini van. The HHR is awesome. Old School styling with soul, modern but comfortable interior. Right on the money for a small family. We took delivery of our hhr just a couple of hours before taking a beach trip. It was so cool loading up the vehicle with all of our stuff and seeing it actually fit. Perfect mix of people room vs. cargo room. Quiet, solid ride. Average about 27 miles right now. Tough but still low-pro design. Chevy knocked the cover off the ball with this one.

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  Problems Chevy Fixed - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By HHR SURF CITY - July 30 - 9:45 pm

  My HHR has had a few problems that I see other buyers have so I thought I would share them. The wet floor board when it rains is caused from a defective installation of a deflector shield under the hood. Mine just all the sudden started leaking & when I took it to Chevy they told me it was a recall & mine just fell off the car. Experienced the cant get the car out of park & cant get the key out of the ignition both of these are caused from the electronic key needing to be re-programed. Mine is equipped with the volume feature that automatically turns the radio up and down with road noise.I would be driving at 70 miles an hour & it would turn it down all the down. They fixed it. How?

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  Gas guzzler its not - 2007 Chevrolet HHR
  By Brian Lewis - July 28 - 1:44 pm

  I have had my HHR for over a year now and the odometer is telling me that I am using 6.9 liters of fuel for 100 kilometers. That equates to 41 MPG city and highway combined. Wow. More than expected. I get people asking me all the time about the color. Golden Teal Metallic. GM only made this colour for the 2007 model year.

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  Good enough to get two! - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By Chuck - July 28 - 12:00 pm

  First impression of the looks was that Chevy was just copying Chrysler, but after taking a test drive, I was hooked. Ive had it now for 7 months and taken two long distant trips with it (avg 31 MPG AT aprox 75mph). It has a very quiet ride inside. I installed a hitch on mine for a utility trailer (which works great). The wife and I liked it so much I traded the wifes car for a second HHR in June 08! Now we both have one! I dont think anyone can go wrong buying one of these. Even with the entry level model, they pack a lot value and usability into this vehicle for the price range it is in. So go buy one, heck, buy two! Youll love it!