Entered CNET Catalog: 04/19/2007
SKU: 100845657
Manufacturer: Chevrolet
Product summary
The good: Making a very strong styling statement, the 2007 Chevrolet HHR offers MP3 playback through CDs or its auxiliary audio input. XM radio is also available.
The bad: The HHR has very loose handling, while its four-speed automatic produces very noticeable shifts. OnStar navigation is only available through a subscription, and doesn't work well out in the boondocks.
The bottom line: Although we aren't crazy about the exterior of the 2007 Chevrolet HHR, we give it credit for making a strong statement. The car is meant for cruising, not for speed, and although it has a full range of tech gear, we don't find OnStar as convenient as onboard systems.
Editors' review
- Editors' Choice: No
- Reviewed on: 05/25/2007
Photo gallery:
2007 Chevrolet HHR
If this were 1950, we would be pretty impressed by the Chevrolet HHR. Its body style, although lower down with narrower windows, would fit right in with the line of Chevy panel trucks. The automatic transmission would seem a bit luxurious, like something out of a Cadillac, and we would probably try to jam a 45 record into the thin slot below the radio display. The handling would feel in line with most other cars on the road.
But it is not 1950--the 2007 Chevrolet HHR's retro look borrows heavily from Chevy panel vans of that era, which makes it a polarizing car. Similar to the Honda Element or the Scion xB, you're either going to love it or hate it. We're not crazy about the HHR's style, although it's a pretty good take on a 1950s car. The hood and fenders are pretty obvious features hearkening back to the original, but even the tail lights copy those of the 1950s-era panel wagon.
The HHR clearly lacks driving excitement, opting instead for fuel economy with its four-cylinder engine. But that lack of excitement extends to the primitive transmission and the poor handling. For interior tech, the HHR gets a stereo that uses GM's ugly, but functional, interface for terrestrial and satellite radio tuning and MP3 CD track selection. As is common in GM cars, in-car phone functionality and navigation is left to OnStar.
Test the tech: Celestial navigation
As we feel the whole point of GPS navigation is not having to ask for directions, we haven't really given OnStar navigation a try. But we try to be thorough, so we decided to use the OnStar navigation service in the Chevrolet HHR. It definitely qualifies as a tech feature, and GM was kind enough to give us an operable OnStar account for our review period.
We used OnStar navigation twice: once in the middle of San Francisco and once out in the boondocks, on the coast near the town of Pescadero. In our city test, we pushed the OnStar button located on the rearview mirror frame and requested directions to a local address from the OnStar operator. The operator sent the directions to the car, and we were set. We started driving and the onboard OnStar system gave us route guidance by voice and through the radio display. The voice guidance wasn't the OnStar operator, but instead the same kind of voice guidance you get from a full GPS navigation system. We were impressed that the voice guidance could read out street names, and the radio display showed upcoming turns and their distance from the HHR.
After using OnStar navigation, we still prefer an in-dash GPS system. First, we wouldn't run into a low-bandwidth situation with an in-dash system. And if you are in an area with no cell phone coverage, you won't get any OnStar service, but an in-dash system would still work. Second, the map screen is useful if you want to explore an area, without any particular destination in mind. To use OnStar navigation, you need a vehicle equipped with OnStar and a subscription to OnStar's Directions and Connections package, which goes for $26.90 per month.
In the cabin
There are few cues inside the HHR to reflect its exterior retro styling, the most obvious being the rounded door latches and the oversize steering wheel. Everything else is modern. The placement of the power-window controls, just in front of the shifter, is a little odd but certainly not retro. The leather seats, a $750 option, were a nice interior touch.
Beyond OnStar, the only real tech feature in the HHR is the stereo. In our test car, this stereo featured an MP3-compatible single CD player, XM radio, and an auxiliary input. We don't particularly like the dot-matrix look of the blue lettering in the radio display, but it is very functional. GM makes use of the preset buttons along the bottom of the radio display to control all sorts of functions. For example, if you put in an MP3 CD, you can move back and forth through folders with two of the buttons. If you push the information button, the preset buttons let you select artist, album, or track display.
With our test car's 2LT Preferred Equipment package, we also got a Pioneer seven-speaker system. This system uses tweeters on the A pillars, a midrange speaker in each door, and a subwoofer in the cargo area. The audio quality from this system is above average, but not what we would consider superior. You can hear the instruments in a track fairly clearly, but the bass doesn't really stand out.
Under the hood
The HHR is by no means a powerhouse--it's designed as one of Chevy's more economical vehicles. As such, it has a 2.4-liter Ecotec four-cylinder engine, which gets the car around reasonably well, but lacks enthusiasm. This engine is actually the bigger of the pair that is available on the HHR, with a 2.2-liter Ecotec as a base model (and don't ask us why Chevy would offer an upgrade of 0.2 liters). This bigger engine puts out 175 horsepower, while the smaller does 149 horsepower.
In our test car, we had a four-speed automatic transmission. A five-speed manual is available on the base model. In practice, we found the combination of the automatic and the engine produced an unpleasant whine when we floored the accelerator to get on a freeway. There wasn't a whole lot of oomph behind this powertrain, either, but it was fine for getting around town. A four-speed transmission has its limitations, too. In this case, the fourth gear has got a high enough ratio to hold the RPMs at 2,500 on the freeway, but that also means very noticeable shifting, as the gear ratios are all pretty far apart.
For fuel economy, the HHR gets 23mpg in the city and 30mpg on the highway under the EPA's old test. The new test gives it 21mpg city and 28mpg highway. During our mixed city and freeway driving, we managed to get it up to 24mpg, which shows the new EPA testing is more realistic. For emissions, the HHR meets California's minimum LEV II rating.
In sum
There are three trim levels available on the 2007 Chevrolet HHR, with the lowest being the LS, at a base price of $16,595. We had the LT 2LT model, which includes the bigger 2.4-liter engine and the premium audio system, basing at $19,395. For options, our test car also came with the automatic transmission ($1,000), power sunroof ($750), leather seats ($750), one year of OnStar's Safe and Sound plan ($695), side airbags ($395), 17-inch wheels ($395), and XM satellite radio with three months paid for ($199). Along with the $590 destination charge, the total comes out to $24,169.
Because of its strong retro styling, the HHR will either appeal to you or not. In keeping with the car's exterior style, it's a cruiser, not a sport driver. And you definitely don't want to drag race for pinks, or you won't have the car for long. As a tech car, its stereo has a functional, but ugly, interface, and decent audio, with OnStar handling navigation and hands-free calling. The interior configuration fits that of a small wagon, a segment that's become scattered, considering that other small wagons we've seen lately have been the Audi A3, all cars with very different purposes.
User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38out of 38 user reviews
Great little car
Pros: Even after a year, I still enjoy driving this car. It's amazing how many I pass on the road so others must feel the same way. I have plenty of speed out on the freeway,and am not sure he actually drove one of these cars, as mine handles just fine.
Cons: I have no complaints!
out of 38 user reviews
34 MPG in comfort and style
Pros: I rented this car in LA and got 34MPG around LA--fantastic. VERY comfortable, great on the freeway. I found it quiet, comfortable, roomy, versatile, and fast enough to maneuver around even in LA traffic. Lots of room. I'd buy this car.
Cons: Rear visibility is hampered by smaller windows--but I always felt safe changing lanes, so it's not bad. The cupholders in the center are not solid, so if you try to put something small, like a bluetooth headset in one, they will fall onto the floor.
The best thing I can say about this car is that it's now at the top of my list of cars I would buy.
I guess the Cnet reviewer thought this was a sports car. It's not. I own a sports car and I knew enough to assume that a tall retro wagon was not going to be sporty.
That said, I TOTALLY disagree with this reviewer about the engine (the power was fine), transmission (mine was so smooth I didn't feel the shifts), sound (mine was VERY quiet), and even fuel economy (clearly the reviewer was trying to push the car, I drove it like an every day driver and spent a total of $30 on gas for an entire week with hundreds of miles of driving.
The Chevy HHR is a quirky car to be sure--the looks aren't bland, and if you want a bland looking car there are plenty of Toyotas for you to choose from. Unlike the Scion xB which is outright ugly--and never gets better, or the Honda Element which is an acquired taste, the HHR is more towards the cute/retro end of the boxy spectrum, and is done with considerable attention to detail, from the bulging fenders, to the round tail lights, and inside the round door handles, and stylish yet still easy to read instrument panel.
This car has character, inside and out--which car lovers tend to love.
The interior is well done--attractive design, good soft-touch materials, VERY comfortable seat (important in LA where you're in the car for so long every day!).
Another consideration--you can buy one used, in like-new condition with around 20K miles for around $10,000. That includes a 10-year, 100,000 mile warranty on the drivetrain.
The HHR is no sports car, but it's a hard-to-beat combination of style, comfort,. versatility and VALUE.
The BOTTOM LINE: After renting this car and living with it for over a week, I'D BUY THIS CAR.
out of 38 user reviews
I love my 2008 gold HHR 2LT
Pros: Fun to drive with 2.4L engine . Comfortable leather interior, great pioneer sound system, heated seats, cargo room, style, smooth ride,
Cons: none so far
out of 38 user reviews
Jack of all trades at a decent price.
Pros: Nearly everything
Cons: Window buttons should be backlit instead of the goofy LED shining down from the headliner.
Anyway, the rear 60/40 seats fold completely flat, and the headrests are removable from the rear seatbacks. The front seat does fold forward to be flat, but isn't level with the main cargo floor. It's still good for loading 2X4's and the occasional step ladder though. The interior is nice, but I've never been a fan of the hard plastic interior trim that most cars seem to have these days. Gauges are nice, the Pioneer stereo works well, and though it gets panned for the display in this review, the display is very readable, and the buttons and knobs are big enough to use with no trouble at all. After 50,000 miles the car still has no squeeks or rattles so build quality is very good.
out of 38 user reviews
fun, styling economic car
Pros: Looks great, plenty of room, not bad on gas. The price isn't that either
Cons: Blind spots are hard to get use to, Cup Holder and Controls. Has a shakey front end, need to take it in for warranty work (29k). Does not get as good of gas mileage as it states.
out of 38 user reviews
I love my new HHR!
Pros: i love most everything...fun to drive..great to look at...comfortable seats..
Cons: I just dont like where the window buttons are....but i will used to it..
out of 38 user reviews
Chevy's hidden jewel!
Pros: Ideal mix of utility and fun
Cons: Hip room shy for big people
out of 38 user reviews
Fool for Old School
Pros: great utility and retro character
Cons: needs more ponies
Also this car comes with 8 airbags! The a, b and c pillars all come with side curtain airbags. At this price point I was impressed.
Onstar is a pain in the buttocks...
Don't get me started!!!
I disagree with thsoe who say the car handles poorly. If you are a GOOD driver, this thing handles fine. I pass, zip in and out, steal gaps in traffic and seldom get smoked.. it's all in how defensive and smart you drive. Anyone can floor a Vette.. but few people can drive a bus like its a Ferrari.. think about it...
But that given, you'll notice I still said in my "cons" that the car needs a bit more power. More power is always good, but you have a diminishing return, the more power, the more gas you use. So its a fair tradeoff with 175 ponies to move a 3800 pound car and stil manage 25 mpg average, but for those of us who like a lil more... the HHR has a HUGE afermarket parts availability, you can do pretty much ANYTHING you want to it! I plan on a cat back exhaust system upgrade and a freeflow air intake. Those tweaks will hopefully give me an extra 20 or so horses. I've already added like 6000 in extra retro goodies, including real " Deluxe" chrome side emblems off a 1952 Chevy and a Hudson Hornet style windshield visor... Old school indeed!! Check out the HHR.. if you're a creative individual this could be your car.
out of 38 user reviews
Great car for the money
Pros: gas mileage
Cons: cup holders,window switches
out of 38 user reviews
great car!
Pros: cool design; nice interior; lot's of room; sunroof
Cons: crammed backseats; kind of low to the ground
out of 38 user reviews
I use the crap out of the cargo space, tools, wood, eqipment.
Pros: The cargo space and fold down seat, the overall cost
Cons: arm room is tight but worth the price savings in gas
out of 38 user reviews
More fun than I imagined
Pros: Great gas mileage
Cons: I haven't found one yet
out of 38 user reviews
the car is slow, All vinel piece of junk
Pros: gets you there
Cons: everything else
out of 38 user reviews
Surprisingly nice car
Pros: Good retro looks, smooth ride, comfortable high front seats, good fit-and-finish with nicely grained plastic dash.
Cons: Rear visibility compromised by thick pillars and rear head restraints, rear-view mirror at eye level restricts front view, feels a bit top-heavy in turns
out of 38 user reviews
GREAT VEHICLE, 145,000 MILES AND DRIVE LIKE NEW, WOULD BUY ANOTHER ONE IF I NEED TOO,
Pros: Lot's of Room for a little car, great gas milage, very durable
Cons: Can't think of any, but wish chevy would have made it rear wheel drive
out of 38 user reviews
Lots of content for not a lot of money.
Pros: Great mileage, styling, functional interior space, economical.
Cons: None found yet
out of 38 user reviews
Perfect for what it's designed for
Pros: Safe, good mileage and affordable
Cons: running boards should be standard
This car is for people who appreciate true retro-styling (it was modeled after the '49 Suburban) AND have a budget to stick to. I am so tired of seeing cars flashed up on tv with base prices of $33k and up! Not everyone has or wants to spend that kind of money on a car. At the same time, there is ample room for a car like the HHR to satisfy the needs of people who want a safe, economical, functional, yet cool-looking vehicle.
As for American car bashing, that's getting old, too. My '87 Cavalier I bought new, had horrible reviews from the "experts", yet that was one of the best cars I owned. 35mpg back in 1987 and fun to drive!
Conversely, my wife's '02 CR-V has been nothing but junk, IMO. I hate it. It's uncomfortable, it has cost a lot to maintain, and is just plain ugly.
To sum it up:
*it has a 5-star safety rating
*gets decent mileage
*is functional in design
*easy and fun to drive
looks cool!
out of 38 user reviews
Great Value, Space and Mileage!
Pros: Price, Mileage. Looks. Drivability. 5 Star Frontal and Side Crash Rating.
Cons: Brakes seem to be the only weakness.
The more I drive this vehicle the more I love it! I get about 33MPG on the highway and mixed driving is around 27MPG.
Overall value of this vehicle is 10+.
out of 38 user reviews
The GREATEST vehicle I have ever owned!
Pros: Everything about it!
Cons: NOTHING!!!!!
My wife & I love my HHR so much, we will soon be replacing her Hyundai with our second HHR!!!
out of 38 user reviews
Great Car and Would Buy Another if we needed another car. Mileage, head turner and easy to modify.
Pros: There isnt enough room for all the Pros here. Looks, drives great, lots of room, plenty power, great visibility from the side mirrors(best i have seen)
Cons: Only con for me after 20 months ownership is that the cloth seats get dirty easy.
New families- lots of room and great on mileage and the Ecotech engines are reliable and proven.
Companies- fuel efficient, easy to drive, seats plenty and is great on long trips and around town.
Lil companies needing a deilvery vehicle- cant be beat
Guys who like to modify cars- this is an ultimate car to tune or modify. Ecotechs have lots of possibilities and it will not kill your pocket book. Panels and doors and sound system areas are very easy to take on and off.
20 months and over 36,000 miles on it and i still love my HHR.
There is high interest in these cars and you see people of all ages in them. You can down it all you want but it is here to stay and will be around for a while.
here is my modified HHR on my webpage
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2246814
out of 38 user reviews
Pros outweigh cons
Pros: great buy, versatility, roomy, comfortable ride
Cons: Most Chevy salesmen don't know enough about the product they are selling
out of 38 user reviews
Great car for the money
Pros: Economy, style, comfort, handling
Cons: Heater controls
out of 38 user reviews
Fun to Drive!!
Pros: Gas mileage
Cons: window switch placement
out of 38 user reviews
WOW - A real head turner
Pros: Style, zippyness, and space
Cons: window buttons
out of 38 user reviews
Excellent Value & EPA Green Vehicle Certified!
Pros: Price, build quality, EPA SmartWay Certified Green Vehicle, Styling, Fuel Economy, Quiet Inside at Highway Speed, Versatility & Cargo Room
Cons: Arm rests could be better, no locking fuel door, Running boards should be standard
For the money I could not find any other vehicle that could match what the HHR offered as far as bold styling statement (admittedly you either love it or you "throw up in your mouth a little bit", count me as loving it...), versatility, utility, fuel economy, and environmental friendliness (even the 50 state emissions version is listed as a SmartWay Certified Green Vehicle on the EPA Green Vehicle web page, check it out... the Honda Element is not).
out of 38 user reviews
my wife and i love this car
Pros: looks, gas mileage, ride, interior room
Cons: visibility, cupholder placementt
out of 38 user reviews
Not for tall people
Pros: Attractive styling
Cons: hard to get in and out; mediocre fuel economy
out of 38 user reviews
Very nice vehicle
Pros: Style, Good on Gas, Fun to drive!
Cons: Only came out in 2005
out of 38 user reviews
Great utility with good mileage
Pros: Initial cost low and many options standard
Cons: None so far
out of 38 user reviews
The HHR is a Great, Old School with a Twist of New
Pros: Body Style, Gas Mileage, Room, Handles Great
Cons: Cup Holders, A Few Blind Spots
out of 38 user reviews
But oh so customizable
Pros: 30+ MPG, inexpensive
Cons: lame cup holder placement
chevyhhr.net
out of 38 user reviews
The HHR offers a perfect blend of utility and fun!
Pros: Style, ride, handling, Interior noise level, utility, fun to drive
Cons: Power window switch position, cup holders, some blind spots
I find the ride comfortable and the power adequate with the 172hp engine w/automatic transmission. Interior noise is more than acceptable. The comment in the review about the handling was very different from my experience. Living in Florida, my HHR cruises comfortably at our 70mph speed limits. I have never felt unsafe in this car. In fact, I prefer the light and responsive handling of the HHR to the heavy steering feel of my 2005 Acura TSX!
From a utility standpoint, the HHR hauls. I have transported large items like a dish washer and kitchen table with no problems. Fold down the rear seats and you have a spacious and very usable flat loading surface that can swallow just about anything the average do-it-yourselfer will need to haul.
Best of all, the HHR puts a smile on my face every time I drive it. I have never owned a GM product prior to my HHR and after a very bad experience with a different American car company, I swore off U.S. automobile products. I am glad GM made such a wonderful car as the HHR and very pleased that I gave an American car company another chance.
out of 38 user reviews
You guys are wrong!
Pros: Cargo space, people space
Cons: Cup holder location, window control location, windshield quality
out of 38 user reviews
Satisfied Owner
Pros: best small economical car on the market that fit a family and their luggage
Cons: arm rest size, location of window buttons
out of 38 user reviews
GM CRAP like 80% of what they make
Pros: How can i say anyting good
Cons: To Late by 4 years
One we drove was Noisy inside Passing... what is that....and MPG..ja right!Dont like it wont buy it...
out of 38 user reviews
Excellent "a to b" car? truck? wagon? van?
Pros: fuel efficiency, soft ride, space in this segment
Cons: cup holders, window controls
out of 38 user reviews
Only a 5.9?!? This is truly a great American car.
Pros: Great price, sweet look. It's comfortable and zippy.
Cons: I only have 3,000 miles on mine. Have no "Cons" yet. Well, maybe one- the stereo isn't loud enough, but the 'set-volume-to-speed' feature rocks.
I decided to get this vehicle because the Magnum and the Monte sit too low to the ground, aggravating my already aggravated back. What a difference in comfort! The HHR (or Huh-Her as we call it) sits high enough that I don't have to kneel to get in and with the adjustable driver’s seat (lumbar, etc.) it’s a very comfy ride.
Its styling is a bit like the PT Cruiser and I like that. I have owned 2 PT Cruisers and liked them a lot, but the HHR tops them in all aspects. It’s been too long since the American car companies have had fun with design and I, for one, am glad to see them back in the game. What has passed for style in the average Japanese car (think Honda Element & Scion anything) leaves much to be desired. They are ugly, bulky and sad to look at.
I’m not sure what the author of the original review meant when he said the vehicle is slow. I would indeed ‘race for pinks’ with this car. Only up against other 4-bangers for sure, but I think she’d do just fine. I have tried, but am unable to accelerate gradually off a red light. The HHR zips right out of the hole with little effort.
My fuel economy is right around the 24-26 MPG and that’s acceptable. I haven’t had her out on the highway much yet, but this summer will bring a few spontaneous road trips I am sure and I expect I’ll get around 30 MPG. At my current rate of $3.53/gallon, that will be a big help.
One thing the author did not mention was the interior square footage. I am unsure as to the exact measurements, but it’s deceivingly large in there. The drop-down 60-40 split bench in the rear when combined with the fold-flat front passenger seat makes hauling to the dump or to the new apartment a breeze. Doors open nice and wide as does the tailgate. The electric release on the rear hatch is a nice touch, too.
As to the one thing I don’t love about it (the radio wattage). It has a nice compensation feature. The radio has a setting wherein you can set the volume to automatically increase as you speed up, making the transition from quiet suburb road to highway nice. No volume adjustments necessary. Also, with the windows up, the vehicle is as close to sound proof as I have seen. Knocks that noisy dump truck next to you at the red light right out of your ears.
A 5.9 rating out of 10?? I gotta assume the author is a twenty-something that has been brought up on a diet of wannabe cars like Honda, etc. Too bad- he’s missing out on one great American car.
out of 38 user reviews
Great For Around Town and Short Hauls
Pros: Very large cargo hold, quiet cabin, great fuel economy
Cons: Tight rear seats for tall people
This is a great car for shopping and picking up cargo as the rear seats fold down to provide flat surface for transporting goods. With a quiet operation and a relative good ride, this is a great car for a small business, or someone who lives in a large town.
