2009 Chevrolet HHR: What's New

Vehicle Overview
The HHR small wagon gains a number of incremental improvements for the 2009 model year, and the performance-oriented SS trim level, which was new last year, is now available for the HHR Panel wagon as well. The HHR flaunts a tall stance, like Chrysler’s PT Cruiser, and it’s built on the same platform as the Chevrolet Cobalt sedan. In addition to the PT Cruiser, competitors include hatchbacks like the Dodge Caliber and Scion xB.

New for 2009
New standard safety features include side curtain airbags, an electronic stability system and antilock brakes. A backup camera is optional. There are also some changes under the hood; the base 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine makes slightly more power and, along with the 2.4-liter four-cylinder, can run on E85 ethanol.

Exterior
GM might not appreciate comparisons between the Chevrolet HHR and the retro-styled Chrysler PT Cruiser, but the HHR is unabashedly designed to resemble a vehicle from the past, just as the Cruiser is. In Chevrolet’s case, that vehicle is the 1949 Suburban, which ranks as one of the first utility vehicles.

• High roof design
• Flared fenders that tuck in at the rocker panels
• Standard 16-inch wheels (17- and 18-inch wheels are optional)
• 176 inches long overall, 69.1 inches wide, 62.5 inches tall
• Silver Ice Metallic, Gold Mist Metallic and Aqua Blue Metallic are new paint colors

Interior
Up to five occupants fit inside the HHR. A high roof promises appealing headroom and an airy environment. The front passenger seat folds completely flat, and the rear seats are split 60/40 and fold to extend the cargo area. Interior features include:

• Standard air conditioning
• Standard CD stereo and keyless entry
• Optional moonroof
• Optional heated leather seats
• SS models gain performance computer that can show things like g forces and zero-to-60 and quarter-mile acceleration times
• 25.2-cubic-foot cargo area (57.7 cubic feet when backseat is folded)

Under the Hood
Three engines are offered in the HHR. The base 2.2-liter four-cylinder produces 155 horsepower and 150 pounds-feet of torque. The midlevel 2.4-liter four-cylinder generates 172 hp and 167 pounds-feet of torque. SS trim levels get a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that makes 260 hp with the manual transmission (250 hp with the automatic).

• Front-wheel drive
• Five-speed manual transmission standard for all engines
• Four-speed automatic transmission optional for all engines
• New SS Performance Package includes Brembo front brake calipers and a limited-slip differential
• 1,000-pound towing capacity (excludes SS)

Safety
A number of important safety features are standard for 2009.

• Antilock brakes
• Side curtain airbags
• Electronic stability system

HHR Panel
The HHR panel version is aimed for commercial use. The rear seats are deleted for maximum storage capability, and the rear side windows are covered with body-colored steel inserts. There’s 57.7 cubic feet of space, with 5.4 cubic feet of underfloor storage. The Panel has two front seats, and rear cargo doors replace the conventional rear side doors. The rear cargo doors have no exterior handles and open by a dashboard release button or the key fob. The HHR Panel can have the same engine and transmission choices as the regular HHR.

For 2009, the HHR Panel gets an SS version with the regular HHR SS’ turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that makes 260 hp with the manual transmission (250 hp with the automatic). It also gets the various interior amenities and exterior styling touches of the non-panel SS version.