Muller Chevrolet

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Walk Around

If there's ever been a case of a picture of a so-called SUV being worth a thousand words, the HHR should be it. It looks like a 1949 panel delivery truck, with the edges smoothed over. Today we call such fenders flared, and they are sculpted for effect; back in those days, they were designed to be functional rather than for an edgy look.

Actually, that flared description seems to apply only to the rear; the front fenders simply hang out there over the tires, as they should to be truly retro, and they are nicely rounded, at least to their outside edges, where they are flattened.

The tail lights are two round red vertical bulbs on each side. The big grille is chrome, every inch of it, and looks almost exactly like the '49 Suburban grille. The headlights, however, are modern glittering wedges, containing one big beam and the turn signal.

The front and rear bumpers are molded plastic, unlike the steel in the body. Technically, they may be part of the fascia, but because they take the conspicuous shape of bumpers, they are more like square lumps extending from the extremities of the vehicle.

The 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. Our test HHR was fitted with chrome roof rails, and we suggest not getting them. Roof rails are almost useless without crossbars. If you're planning to strap stuff to the roof, we think this vehicle would look more appropriate with a functional black aftermarket rack.

The Panel Van features smooth, windowless sides that give a cleaner, more retro, more hot rod look than the standard models. It features shaved rear door handles. The lack of windows adds security for valuables inside. This design also lends itself to wraps and customization.

Interior

2007 Chevrolet HHR

The tan cloth interior, despite its name of Cashmere Cloth, looks like upholstery that might be found in an inexpensive furnished rental unit. Many other SUVs have nice-looking, rugged cloth interiors nowadays.

We couldn't find a comfortable seating position; the problem seemed to lie in the contour of the seatback. And unless the seat was in its lowest position, our head hit the headliner (5-foot, 10-inch driver). Speaking of headroom, there isn't a lot of it, in spite of the high roof.

There's no significant storage in any console between the seats; two cupholders and one slot is all. The door pockets are small. There's a useful flip-up compartment on top of the dash, however, as well as a small glovebox.

In the rear, there's one cupholder and small door pockets. The back of the front passenger seat has a tight storage net, but not the back of the driver's seat.

The windows are controlled on the console by four buttons located just forward of the gear lever. So if you park with the windows down, and want to lock the car, you have to reach down with two hands in front of the gear lever, and hold the buttons down two at a time (or reach with one hand, and hold the four buttons down consecutively, and wait). Even operating the driver's window, at toll booths for example, requires leaning forward and reaching down. Window switches should be on the driver's door.

The turn signal makes a loud, rapid, annoying click. The rearview mirror blocks a significant chunk of forward visibility out the smallish windshield.

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. One good thing (even if it is bright chrome) is the door handle, an ergonomically correct ring which actuates with a horizontal inward pull.

If the HHR misses on the little interior things, at least the cargo storage possibilities are excellent, although the total cargo area of 55.6 cubic feet is 8.4 less than in the PT Cruiser. The rear split 60/40 seat folds flat very easily, as does the front passenger seat; and since the 60-percent side of the rear seat is on the left, a long item like a ladder can be slipped in diagonally, a nice feature. The rear cargo floor flips up to reveal a five-inch-deep tray useful for storage. The rear liftgate is one piece, and raises easily.

Legroom is lacking in the rear seat. Kids are always fine, as long as three of them can share one drink. We actually carried six 10-year-old boys on a soccer team for 60 miles in the HHR, and they were all happy, even the two who squeezed into the way-back. Adults wouldn't be as happy in the HHR's back seats.

The Panel Van has a rubberized floor that should be good for delivery or business or hobby uses. Rearward visibility is poor, however.

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