The 2008 Chevrolet HHR is a funky, fun-loving tribute to the 1949 Chevrolet Suburban, arguably the vehicle that broke the mold and created the earliest building blocks for today's sport utility vehicles.
HHR stands for heritage high roof, and as the name suggests, the HHR, which is built on the platform provided by Chevy's Cobalt, puts drivers and passengers tall in the saddle, with a cavernous amount of interior space for a vehicle its size.
Comparisons to Chrysler's PT Cruiser are unavoidable, but Chevy has given the HHR its own unique personality and configuration, which are anything but derivative.
The HHR is available with one of three trim levels: LS, LT and the SS, which was a late edition in the 2007 model year. There are three, four-cylinder engines available....the standard 2.2 liter 149 horsepower ECOTEC (echo tech) engine with 152 pound feet of torque, and the 2.4 liter 4-banger with 172 horsepower and 167 pound feet of torque. The SS comes with a 260 horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged engine.
You can order up either a five-speed manual transmission or a four speed automatic on your HHR.
Front disc and rear drum brakes are standard on the HHR LS, four wheel anti-lock brakes are standard on the LT and optional on the other two trim levels. Also optional are front and rear side curtain airbags.
The interior of the HHR maintains the whimsical attitude that drives the rest of this mini-box, and the spacious cargo area features fold down seats that create a perfectly flat load surface covered with wipe-clean plastic. Altogether, there are 63 cubic feet of payload space.
Mileage among the naturally aspirated engines ranges anywhere from 20 miles per gallon city to 30 MPG highway.
Base MSRP of the 2008 Chevy HHR is $16,515. Nicely equipped, the HHR will cost around $20,000 ...and that's pretty inviting for such a unique truck/wagon crossover that combines a retro flavor with the benefits of up-to-date mechanicals. The HHR...writing its own chapter in Chevy history.