The front and rear bumpers are molded plastic, unlike the steel in the body. Technically, they may be part of the fascia, but because they take the conspicuous shape of bumpers, they are more like square lumps extending from the extremities of the vehicle.
The glass runs neatly uninterrupted all around the vehicle, with five rectangular windows from B-pillar around the rear to B-pillar. There's something about the simple shape of these windows that gives the HHR a low-rider look, although the roof itself is relatively high, as the name declares. Our test HHR was fitted with chrome roof rails, which we suggest saving $150 by not buying them. Roof rails are almost useless without crossbars, and we think this vehicle would look more appropriate with a functional black after-market rack anyhow.
The HHR was designed by the same man who designed the PT Cruiser; he left Chrysler for GM shortly afterward. We received quite a few comments on the HHR's looks, all of them favorable, some thinking it was the new PT Cruiser, and others simply asking what it was. "Wow, that looks terrific, just terrific," said one fellow. We asked what he liked about the styling. "Well, I've got a '23 dump truck," he replied, "which I wish I could drive on the street because it looks so cool. I like this because I could drive it on the street." One assumes that GM expects the market for the HHR to be extend beyond such arcane tastes.
Actually, the HHR will be appreciated by people who have the soul of a '50s California surfer. Next Page