The 2010 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 ranges from 21 miles per gallon city, up to 32 miles per gallon highway.
The 5-passenger 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.
Front disc and rear drum brakes are standard on the HHR LS, anti-lock front disc and rear drum brakes are standard on the LT. The SS comes with anti-lock disc brakes all around. Also now standard on all models are front and rear side curtain airbags.
Initial base MSRP of the 2010 Chevrolet HHR is $18,720. A fully loaded SS model can crack the $30,000-mark. The HHR is backed by a 5-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty.
With retro styling, many practical features, and an available turbocharged power plant, the 2010 HHR is writing its own chapter in Chevy history as a funky, yet versatile new take on a classic.