The 2009 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 same platform as the Chevy 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, making it anything but derivative.
The HHR is available in three trim levels: LS, LT and the Super Sport, otherwise known as SS. The LS and LT come with a 2.2-liter inline-4 that puts out 155 horsepower and 150 pound feet of torque. The LT is also available with a 172 horsepower 2.4-liter inline-4. The SS model comes with a turbocharged 2-liter inline-4 that puts out 260 horsepower and 260 pound feet of torque. All models come with either a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission, sending power to front wheel drive.
Fuel economy for the HHR is good, ranging from 21 miles per gallon city up to 32 miles per gallon highway.
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 now standard 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.
Base MSRP of the 2009 Chevrolet HHR is $18,720. A fully loaded SS model can crack the $30,000-mark. The HHR is backed by best in class 5-year, 100,000 mile powertrain warranty.
With retro styling, lots of practical features and an available turbocharged power plant, the '09 HHR is writing its own chapter in Chevy history.