Overview & Reviews

An anomaly in the automotive world, the Chevrolet SSR (Super Sport Roadster) convertible combined the look of a customized 1950s pickup with the rear-wheel-drive powertrain of a sports car. Based on General Motors' midsize SUV platform, the SSR had a high seating position and a trucklike ride. Yet this muscular Chevy truck was no workhorse. It had just two seats, a narrow pickup bed with a tonneau cover and a meager towing capacity. Other packaging and ergonomic compromises made it less than ideal as primary transportation.

What the Chevrolet SSR did offer was a healthy dose of individuality. It looked like nothing else on the road and was a pure automotive style statement. Between the '40s-style fat fenders, the low hood and its dominant rear proportions (greatly enhanced by the hard bed cover), this Chevy looks as speed-crazed as any muscle car from the '60s or '70s. Its two-piece power-retractable hardtop stowed vertically between the seats and the rear storage bed, thus allowing open-air motoring. For a car enthusiast looking to fill some extra space in his garage with something that combines postwar cruiser image with modern-day hardware and reliability, the SSR could be a fun choice.

However, the SSR was plagued by issues throughout its four-year lifespan, including build quality problems, so-so performance of earlier models due to the smaller V8's struggle with the excessive curb weight, and a breathtaking sticker price. Subsequently, it was discontinued after 2006. Chevy sold only about 25,000 SSRs, which makes used examples a rare find.

Used Chevrolet SSR Models
The Chevrolet SSR is a two-passenger convertible truck that was produced in a single generation from late 2003 through 2006. Buyers interested in a used SSR should make note of a few changes that occurred during its production. For its first two years, the SSR came with a 5.3-liter, 300-horsepower V8 that struggled to get the 4,700-pound SSR moving with any authority. The 6.0-liter unit installed in 2005 made 390 hp and was a better match to move the heavy Chevy. Interior assembly quality improved somewhat during the 2005 model year, which also was the first year the six-speed manual transmission became available.

There was only one trim level. Standard features included a power-operated convertible hardtop, leather upholstery, power accessories, keyless entry and cruise control. An upgraded audio system, heated seats and auto-dimming mirrors were optional. Further customization could be had thanks to some strictly cosmetic options such as color-keyed bed strips, chrome interior and exterior trim, chrome wheels and two-tone paint.

In terms of safety, the Chevrolet SSR was modestly equipped. Front and side torso airbags were standard, but curtain airbags were not available due to the folding roof. Traction control and antilock brakes were standard, but stability control was unavailable. Every SSR came with 19-inch wheels up front and 20-inch wheels in back.

In reviews, our editors commented that the Chevy SSR possessed an agreeable combination of handling, ride and performance. The suspension was reasonably capable of keeping body roll under control and the exhaust note would do an old Chevelle SS proud. On the downside, the vehicle wasn't particularly useful for daily use, and some of the interior materials were a bit cheap-looking.

User Reviews:

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  Shes So Sweet - 2006 Chevrolet SSR
  By Patricia Perry - August 7 - 10:05 am

  Ive only had my little red roadster for a few days but Im totally entranced by her. She purrs like a kitten and gallops like a thoroughbred.

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  SSR with Chrome package and wood trim - 2006 Chevrolet SSR
  By lucky - August 4 - 10:07 am

  One week after I bought it, I took my teenage daughter and headed up to Georgia and South Carolina . The luggage space was excellent and as my daughter put it there was extra space to put the stuff we buy . That was both good and bad if you get my drift.

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  What a ute! - 2006 Chevrolet SSR
  By The Beast - June 12 - 3:17 am

  This baby hauls. Now just get over its somewhat goofy looks and listen. I have had this a few months now, no rattles, easy and quick top, plenty of cargo room, sport car ride with an average of 18mpg city and 26 hgwy so far. This one is very fast and is a clever useful car at the same time. Chevy, killer job!

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  Awsome retro ride - 2006 Chevrolet SSR
  By Thomas - June 5 - 4:14 pm

  See one, want one, buy one. This little truck has a few rattles, but is a lot more comfortable than my S2000, and gets more attention. The gas mileage stinks, but the tank is big, and you dont buy this type of rocket if youre trying to save a few bucks on gas. My other vehicles are not hybrids either.

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  Rad Retro - 2005 Chevrolet SSR
  By HUN - April 13 - 1:43 pm

  An attention getter wherever I go. The retro styling with the up to date performance package are a sweet combo. The utility of a pickup bed albiet small and convertible top just add to the sweetness. My teens are always after me for the keys. Chevrolet was on the right track with this idea however it is probably a little too rad for the people who can afford one. End of production in 06 will only serve to vault this vehicle into collector status. Well done Chevrolet.

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  Marks Black Magic - 2005 Chevrolet SSR
  By Mark Steed - April 12 - 3:00 am

  I had no intention on buying the SSR but once I test drove it, I was hooked! My former hot rod was a 67 Chevelle SS. It doesnt have the pull of the 396, but its just as quick in the 1/8th & its a little more fun actually with its handling. You must pay attention in turns & parking due to the pontoon fenders. Its quite the head turner & have had nothing but bad things said about it cause lets face it...Its phat! Paint & finish could be a lot better quality. It looks good with & w/o the running boards, but for $1600.00 they look good on mine. Extras are outragous, but comes w/the territory. The tops compartment bonnet rattles a little when its windy & when my speed is up. All in all its my heartskip in America

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  Like nothing else on the road - 2004 Chevrolet SSR
  By dogd923 - March 13 - 7:16 am

  Got my dream vehicle this January-a yellow SSR. Always wanted one, but the expense (they ARE pricey) was holding me back. A local dealer found me an 04 SSR with 900 miles. Low mileage ones are available-since these are NOT daily drivers. New ones go for 50k, but mine was a little over half that. True,mine has the 5.3 v8-the new ones have the 6 litre Corvette motor, but they look identical, and my truck has no problem in the power department. The truck gets lots of attention,from its old school" looks, bright paint, and the throaty growl of the V8-if you dont want to attract a lot of attention-dont buy one of these-gets smiles, and thumbs up everywhere I take it.

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  SSr first month of ownership - 2005 Chevrolet SSR
  By Alyce - March 11 - 8:14 am

  Gas is what I figured, not good but not awful considering you have 390 horses moving 4700 pounds of weight. Actual gas mileage is 15 city and 19 highway. There are a lot of vehicles on the road getting worse. The ride, well thats in the rider, for me it is a dream to drive top down or up. There are a few down sides, when the top is up there are more than the usual creaks and noises, top down needless to say, its a cruiser like you have never driven. To stop the wind blowing your hair all over be sure to buy the windbreak option, well worth the price. Yes its a bit pricy, which in this persons opinion was part of the poor sales, the other was, its not really a truck , is it?

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  Loving my SSR - 2004 Chevrolet SSR
  By james mayo - February 20 - 10:03 pm

  I love to let the top down and take my wife for sunset cruises. My SSR is yellow. It is so beautiful against the sunset. It also gets a lot of looks and comments from other motorists. I let my best friend drive it. He loved it so much that he bought one. I will keep my SSR till I die.

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  My Dream Truck! - 2005 Chevrolet SSR
  By Fred Austin - February 14 - 3:23 am

  I own a 05 Chevy SSR and its been just perfect. I live in Salt Lake City and some members of my family are English teachers in the Mexican city of Guadalajara and I decided to visit them last September in that city. So me and one of my daughters went down there in the SSR. It behaved just excellent, as I expected, even though gas mileage was the worst part (what can I expect from a sports truck) of the trip, everything else was awesome. The truck handles very well on the Mexican roads and curves, it does everything well and also you can have some heads turning to see the truck passing by. Ive had such a beautiful experience. I’m in love with my SSR!