Jim Ellis Chevrolet Atlanta

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Walk Around

We like the retrospective styling of the Chevy HHR, though the whole retro craze is getting long in the tooth. The closest comparison is the Chrysler PT Cruiser, another retro-styled utility vehicle with good fuel efficiency.

The rounded nose of the HHR is not unlike Chevy's SSR, which also reflects the brand's truck heritage. The HHR's fenders are well defined, with flat side wheel-well openings contrasting favorably with the vehicle's many curved, contemporary sculpted surfaces. Front and rear bumpers and fog lamps are integrated into seamless fascia, with nostalgic integrated running boards. The flush glass all around, including the windshield, is a nice touch, as are the headlights surrounded by body panels in old school fashion. The taillamp treatment consists of two round vertically stacked lenses on each side. The large, prominent grille is chrome, (except on the SS model), and appears much like that of the 1949 Suburban.

Front and rear bumpers are molded from composite material, integrated as part of their respective fascia. The Chevy HHR offers a more traditional look than other vehicles in its competitive set. It provides lots of room and functionality without being boxy. When viewed from a distance, the HHR looks larger than it really is. Examined closely, it's compact. And you have to sit down into it upon entry and rise out of it when exiting.

The HHR Panel has no side windows and cargo doors in place of conventional rear doors. The cargo doors open wide, enabling cargo access from both sides of the vehicle, as well as from the rear liftgate. The cargo doors are smooth and don't have external handles; they are opened via a dashboard release button or the remote keyless entry fob. The large, continuous area created by the windowless cargo doors and rear panels is ideal for business logos, advertising or personalization. Side visibility is obviously limited due to the solid sides without windows; one must rely primarily on mirrors for backing maneuvers. The smooth, windowless sides on the Panel give it a cleaner, retro, more hot rod look than the standard models. The lack of windows adds security for contents inside.

The HHR SS sits lower than its stable mates, but sports extended front and rear fascias that give it the appearance of riding much lower. The front fascia features an air-dam design with integrated fog lights, and the grille comes with mesh-style upper and lower grille inserts. The new rear fascia provides a cutout for a single bright exhaust tip. Rocker moldings somewhat resemble accentuated running boards. Out back, a rear spoiler is mounted above the rear glass. Body-color door handles, mirror caps and the rear license plate surround, along with SS badging on the front doors and liftgate, further differentiate the SS from the others.

Interior

2010 Chevrolet HHR

Inside, the Chevy HHR provides, for the most part, comfortable and functional surroundings. Included are durable, easy-to-clean cargo surfaces, a front passenger seat that folds flat for more cargo space, a 60/40 split/fold-flat second-row seat, and a multi-position cargo package tray in the rear that provides cargo security.

Finding a comfortable seating position may require some effort; the problem seems to be with the contour of the seatback. Speaking of headroom, there isn't a lot of it, in spite of the high roof. Unless the seat is in its lowest position, you might find your head brushes the headliner, and the windshield header is low for taller drivers.

Cubby storage is limited. There's a handy flip-up compartment on top of the dash and a small glovebox. The rear provides one cupholder and small door pockets. The front-passenger seatback offers a tight storage net.

Side windows are controlled on the console by buttons located just ahead of the gear-shift lever, making them inconvenient to operate with ease; positioning them on the door would have been much better.

Second-row legroom is not particularly generous, and kids will definitely be more comfortable than adults. The rear seat, split 60/40, folds flat very easily, as does the front passenger seat, and, since the 60-percent side of the rear seat is on the right, 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.

The HHR Panel provides seating for two and a large, flat cargo floor with tie-down points to help hold things in place. The HHR Panel cargo area features a standard auxiliary power outlet, as well as a 40-amp auxiliary power connector to provide service for a variety of specialty equipment needs. Two large storage compartments, with a lockable option, are located forward under the cargo floor (in place of the rear seats of the passenger models). The compartments offer security for things such as computer equipment, flashlights, service manuals and other valuables.

The HHR SS features a special interior with SS-embroidered sport seats with inserts, a specific gauge cluster, an A-pillar-mounted turbo boost gauge and a new shifter arrangement. Three interior color combinations are available: Ebony, Light Gray and Victory Red.

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