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Chevrolet HHR - What the Auto Press Says

The 2009 Chevrolet HHR ranks 4 out of 5 Affordable Compact Wagons. This ranking is based on our analysis of 50 published reviews and test drives of the Chevrolet HHR, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.

The HHR is a good option for drivers who care more about style and practicality than they do performance.

With cargo versatility and cool retro style the 2009 Chevy HHR is miles away from the old wood-sided wagon you used to get hauled to Grandma's in. But according to our analysis, the HHR's performance could give you mom's old Country Squire a run for its money. Car and Driver says it drives just as retro as it looks. "The shifter catches as it moves through the pattern. The steering is rubbery and very sensitive to road camber; it wants to fall off the road crown." The HHR's retro looks make it a standout in the parking lot, but its retro performance may make drivers want to leave it there. Still, most reviewers agree that as long as you're not looking for a performance car, the HHR is a fun and practical companion around town.

For buyers who love the HHRs retro looks and are willing to give up some interior space for better performance, the MINI Clubman is a zippy option, but one that's more expensive than the HHR.  If you can do without the retro styling, the Subaru Impreza Wagon offers good cargo space and the added security of all-wheel drive, along with better performance than the HHR.

The four-door HHR comes in several trims -- LS, 1LT, 2LT and Special Edition -- with a choice of two four-cylinder engines. A two-seat Panel version with rear cargo doors is targeted mostly at delivery companies. The HHR also has an SS trim, which adds a turbocharged 260-horsepower engine.

General Motors is now offereing car buyers the option of returning their new Chevy, GMC, Buick or Cadillac for any reason within 60 days of purchase. For more information, click here. Also, be sure to check out our Chevy deals page to see if there's any current deals on a new HHR.

• "Overall, the HHR is a pretty neat piece, less cute than a Chrysler PT Cruiser and way more refined than a Scion xB. The retro look is cool, but the retro values of practicality and utility are even cooler." -- Automobile Magazine
• "Steady improvement has made the 2009 Chevrolet HHR a solid choice for a small wagon." -- Edmunds
• "The external flair and internal practicality make this a car likely to appeal to young dudes cruising for thrills, families bored with bland, conventional wagons, and even boomers who need a set of wheels for the beach house." -- U.S. News
• "Around town the test vehicle seemed a good friend, able to hold people and cargo gracefully, able to slide into tight parking spots easily because of its trim size and tight turning circle, and good at generating smiles and approving looks from other motorists." -- USA Today
• "A smooth-riding wagonette, the HHR (for Heritage High Roof) is an example of retro design that both looks good and works well in utilitarian terms: the boxy shape makes it roomy inside." -- Car and Driver
• "It is a nostalgic hauler for people who want something different, and who appreciate the classic looks of the 1949 Chevy Suburban." -- New Car Test Drive

HHR Performance - 6.7 (Mediocre)

The 2009 HHR gets mixed reviews on the road. Many compliment its smooth ride, but some feel it lags behind its competition in power and find the HHR's braking downright scary. Read More

HHR Exterior - 7.5 (Good)

This Chevy's retro styling and unique look isn't very distinctive in its class. U.S. News reviewer Rick Newman says, "The modern take looks sorta cute, sorta homely, with a bit of gangster chic thrown in."  Read More

HHR Interior - 7.6 (Good)

The Chevy HHR gets a high score for its versatility and roominess. According to Automobile Magazine, the cabin is "a puzzle box of reconfigurable space."  Read More

HHR Safety - 8.4 (Very Good)

In 2009, Chevy has recalled 181,516 HHRs from model years 2006 through 2009 that were not equipped with the optional roof rail-mounted air bags, because they did not meet federal crash test standards. But even beforehand reviewers found the 2009 HHR lacking in safety equipment. Read More

HHR Reliability - 5.0 (Mediocre)

The 2009 Chevrolet HHR reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). Chevrolet offers a three-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty on the HHR.  Read More