5-12-2006 2006 Chevy HHR LT by Dave Stall

2007 Chevy HHR LT Five-Speed is a blast to drive! Chrysler put the automotive community on its ear by introducing its retro PT Cruiser, even though it's deeply underpowered. Chevrolet decided to jump into this segment by debuting the HHR, but only after learning from Chrysler's mistakes. Chevy has come out with two power plants, the 2.2-liter, 143-horsepowered Ecotec with four cylinders or the optional 2.4-liter, 172-horsepower. There's also a choice of transmissions, the four-speed electronically controlled automatic or a five-speed manual (which I picked). What a blast to drive with the Ecotec, which is the same engine in the Cobalt (so you know there is room for more horsepower either after market or through the dealer). The engine is not the only thing the HHR shares with the Cobalt. The HHR is built on the Cobalt platform and I must say that Chevrolet did a great job with this little hauler. It may look a little small from the outside but once you flip down the second row seats and the passenger seat (see photos), you can get an eight-foot object inside the HHR. The backs of the second row seating have a hard plastic surface for loading anything you could imagine. It also has a cargo net and a carpeted pad in the event you don't want your load to slip, plus a set of hefty tie down. Not unlike the PT Cruiser, the HHR also has a hard platform that doubles as a cargo cover and a multi-stage shelf for tailgating or changing a diaper. Once the cargo cover is removed, there's added storage under the floor. To open the tailgate, just push on a touch sensitive button and the door opens with ease. The HHR's exterior has the look of a 1950s Chevy Suburban with its retro grill, humpy fenders, full grip door handles and big Chevy badges. This HHR came painted in a "majestic amethyst metallic" with grey interior that has darker gray accents. There's a little chrome on the floor shift knob plus Mossy added a chrome package that accents the roof rack, front grill, door handles, rear trunk lid and 17-inch chrome alloy wheels (which make the exterior color really pop). Another added feature is the factory running boards that are color coded and molded into the fenders - a really nice touch. Fog lights are optional. The instrument pod houses a speedometer and tachometer. It has the typical Chevrolet information center, accessed with the touch of a button on the steering wheel. That's where you'll also find the audio controls plus mute and cruise control operations. In the center of the dash is a good sound system with CD and MP3 standard. Mossy knows how much I like my tunes and gave me an upgraded Pioneer amplified sound system that includes seven-speakers, AM/FM/six-CD/MP3 with XM Radio - killer! Other options found in my tester include leather seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel, electric sunroof, heated seats for the driver and front passenger, a roof rack and an ash tray and lighter. Plus, there's an automatic dimming rear view mirror with a compass as well as a second glove box on top of the dash, just above the audio and climate control systems. There's a single cup holder between the driver and passenger seats. If you don't get the smoking kit, then you get another cup holder. Both front seats have inboard armrests that get in the way of the center-mounted hand brake and the cup holders. But I will put up with the nuisance just to have armrests. Mossy ordered this HHR with optional side head curtain air bags (which should be standard), crumple zones, beams in the doors, daytime running lights, child anchors, battery rundown protection and OnStar. I have some statistics to share with you that express the importance of OnStar. In one year, OnStar received 44,000 remote door unlock requests, 1,000 notifications of air bag deployment, 12,000 hands free call requests, 450 stolen vehicle location assists, 11,500 emergency service calls and 32,000 OnStar vehicle diagnostic reports. Now that is a system you can't live without. It's better than a navigation system because you talk to a real person. The HHR bases out at $16,325, but my well-equipped test vehicle came in at $22,495, plus tax and license. Not bad. It gets 22 miles per gallon in the city and 30 MPG on the open road, holds five full size passengers and a lot of gear. Check it out at Mossy Chevrolet in Encinitas at I-5 and Encinitas Boulevard. Next week, a ride from Young Pontiac-Buick-Cadillac in the Escondido Auto Park!