2007 Chevrolet HHR Review

The 2007 Chevy HHR is a wagon whose heritage dates to the 1949 GMC Suburban panel delivery truck. HHR stands for Heritage High Roof, and the roof of the HHR is truly high.  The HHR is fun to drive, but a far cry from a sports car; it also gets good fuel economy.   The HHR is meant to compete against the Chrysler PT Cruiser, as well as the Honda Element. It also serves as an alternative to a Jeep Liberty or Ford Escape. The Chevrolet HHR was launched as a new model in 2006, and it remains relatively unchanged for 2007 with the exception of slightly more powerful engines and a few additional new color choices. New exterior color options for 2007 include Imperial Blue Metallic and Golden Teal Metallic; a new interior color option is Ebony.   The HHR is built on the platform of the Chevy Cobalt compact and incorporates its best features: engine, transmission and suspension.  The Panel Van LT features smooth, windowless side panels and rear cargo doors with no handles. The rear cargo doors open via an instrument panel button. Trim levels include the base LS, midlevel 1LT and top-of-the-line 2LT.

Trims for 2007

The 2007 Chevrolet HHR LS includes cloth upholstery, air conditioning, power windows and locks, power mirrors, remote keyless entry, front intermittent wipers, rear-window wiper, power driver's seat with lumbar support, and 16-inch aluminum wheels.

The 1LT adds an MP3 player with a jack for an iPod, eight ways to adjust the driver's seat, and satin chrome trim.  The 2LT adds the 2.4-liter Ecotec engine, anti-lock brakes, traction control, fog lamps, a 260-watt Pioneer sound system with seven speakers, 17-inch aluminum wheels, sport-tuned suspension and bright chrome trim.

Powertrain

LS comes standard with GM's 2.2-liter, double-overhead-cam four-cylinder Ecotec engine, making 149 horsepower; the 1LT offers an optional 2.4-liter version of that same engine rated at 175 horsepower; and the 2LT makes that powerplant standard. All three models come standard with a five-speed manual transmission; a four-speed automatic is optional and comes packaged with remote starting. The Chevy HHR's 2.4-liter Ecotec is a great engine, and it has a slight boost in horsepower and torque numbers for 2007. It's an aluminum four-cylinder, with 16 valves, electronic fuel injection and variable valve timing. The pulling power of the HHR 2LT is excellent.

Driving the 2007 HHR

The HHR is a unique vehicle with commanding looks.  Furthermore, performance, comfort, and a solid build make this an appealing vehicle.   The 2LT has a sport-tuned suspension with 17-inch aluminum wheels, as well as anti-lock brakes. The ride around town or over freeway bumps is always smooth.  Acceleration is also impressive. The 2.4-liter engine is quiet, thanks partly to special laminated steel in the firewall. The HHR handles easily, maneuvers crisply and steers with a light touch. Body lean through curves isn't bad.  Chevrolet's automatic transmission operates gently, and except for a whirring sound while accelerating, the HHR is impressively quiet.

HHR Interior

The 2007 HHR, which can hold five occupants, has a high roof which promises appealing headroom and a spacious environment. The instrument cluster is retro and interior color combinations feature darker colors on upper trim sections. The rearview mirror does block a significant chunk of forward visibility out the smallish windshield. Also the 'chopped' windshield limits the driver's view of tall objects, such as overhead traffic signals. Rear visibility also could be better. Chair-style seats are reasonably comfortable, with moderate back support and adequate thigh support.  For cabin organization there is no significant storage in any console between the seats; two cupholders and one slot is all. The door pockets are small. However, there's a useful flip-up compartment on top of the dash, as well as a small glovebox.  In the rear, there's one cupholder and small door pockets.  The windows are controlled on the console by four buttons located just forward of the gear lever.  This can be a very inconvenient location at times. The gauges and controls are standard GM issue. Superfluous chrome rings and trim, and instruments designed to look cool, rather than to be easily readable. Maximum cargo volume is 63.1 cubic feet. The rear split 60/40 seat folds flat very easily, as does the front passenger seat.  The rear cargo floor flips up to reveal a five-inch-deep tray useful for storage. When raised, the primary load floor can act as a shelf. The rear liftgate is one piece, and raises easily. Options include a power sunroof, GM's OnStar communication system, XM Satellite Radio and a Pioneer audio system with a subwoofer. Remote starting is installed on models equipped with the automatic transmission.

Design for the Chevy HHR

The Chevy HHR's front grille features a prominent Chevrolet bow tie logo. Built on a 103.1-inch wheelbase, the HHR is 176.2 inches long overall, 68.1 inches wide and 61.5 inches tall. Glass runs neatly uninterrupted all around the vehicle, with five rectangular windows from B-pillar around the rear to B-pillar. There's something about the simple shape of these windows that gives the HHR a low-rider look, although the roof itself is relatively high, as the name declares.  The HHR has a touch-pad rear liftgate and flared taillamps. The HHR flaunts deep-draw flared fenders that tuck in at the rocker panels. A one-piece hood is reminiscent of the 1949 Suburban.  Single-cavity headlamps incorporate jeweled lighting effects. The back window is flush with the body sides.  In addition to bright chrome exterior trim, the 2LT model includes fog lamps and a bright exhaust tip. 

Safety

Antilock brakes are standard on 2LT models, though they're disc/drum instead of the more surefooted all-disc type. Traction control is available only with the automatic transmission. Side curtain airbags are optional, but side-impact airbags for the front seats are not available. Safety features include optional front and rear side-curtain airbags. ABS comes standard on the 2LT, and is optional for the LS and 1LT.

The 2007 Chevrolet HHR comes in a simple LS, 1LT and 2LT models. All three models come standard with a five-speed manual transmission; a four-speed automatic is optional and comes packaged with remote starting. For more information, check out Edmunds.com Consumer Review. The HHR is only two-wheel drive, with a limited amount of organizational cabin space, but its unique design allows it to appeal to a specific buyer segment. The Chevy HHR is an SUV that is a throwback to the 1949 Chevy panel delivery truck. Though it may not have the most power, cargo space, or amenities, this vehicle is really all about style. The 2007 HHR gets an estimated 30 mpg Hwy, and 22 mpg City. For more pictures and details of the HHR Panel, click here.