Test drive: 2008 Chevrolet HHR SS

Ugh! They appear to be trying for a soccer mom look and sticking an SS label on it. What am I missing here? SS used to mean super sport, not SUV or station wagon.

I rented one of these last year and could not keep it on the road in the rain. It would push through all the turns. It just ignored what I wanted and went its owm way. It did ot feel much better in the dry. Huge blind spots as well. So now you are going to put a turbo in it. Please, please, please start building better cars america. I hate the fact that I only want german and japanese cars.

Probably also worth mentioning as competition is the Forester XT, one of few performance “tall wagon/crossover” vehicles out there. It does cost more, but it gives you much more, too.

I would suspect that GM is hoping that making an SS model for the HHR, whether good or bad, will help generate some excitement for the HHR in general, which has always been seen as the me-too PT Cruiser clone that it is.

The HHR has kind of grown on me. Adding the SS badge and SS refinement is definitely a step in the right direction as far as I’m concerned.

But before nostalgia about the “old” SS models blurs everyone’s nostalgic vision let me remind you that not all old-school SSs were worthy of the badge either. We had a ‘62 Impala SS convertible with GM’s lamentable Powerglide transmission. It was a gorgeous car but definitely not SS designation worthy.

This car is freakin’ UGLY. The only reason I still haven’t bought a Subaru WRX is for the same reason, but I wouldn’t feel bad buying one for its guts and bones. This is another example of why American cars suck.

Even if this PT Cruser knock off handled like my Mini and punched out 400hp for 25k, I wouldn’t get caught dead in in it in broad daylight. Now after midnight, I may take it for a spin…

I think it’s kind of funny that GM makes a good performance vehicle and you guys bash it into the ground. So I guess American cars suck right? Thats why the new CTS won COTY honors from Motortrend? Or the fact the Mailbu is on Automobiles top ten, and C&D ten best? The domestic vehicles are getting better and NONE of you are open minded enough to admit it!

So why not have a “SS” monikered small car that can actually run with everyone of the cars that it was intended to run with? Funny how none of you give a domestic credit for putting out a credible sporty compact even if its a wagon? The HHR was meant to evoke styling from the late 40s Suburbans, if any of you actually looked it up you wuold know that it looks very close to them.

Why don’t you try the vehicles before you insinuate it being bad just because it’s a doemstic.

Andre,I think you’re missing the point here. When most people object to the HHR it’s not because it’s a “domestic” as you call it, it’s that it unfortunately looks a lot like a PT Cruiser. I realise that it harkens back to a 40’s Suburban, but did anyone ever care about that car? I’ve never seen one on the cover of any classic car mags. The PT Cruiser harkens back to another old time car(37 Air Flow) that no one has ever longed for. Barrett-Jackson doesn’t show them either. If a company retros a car it should be a venerated or endearing car like a VW Bug, Mini,Challenger,Camaro, Jag…not some car nobody knows or cares about. They just kinda look “old”. To me, the worst of this throw-back to anything past, was the totally ridiculous Prowler. It seems that GM and Chryco are grasping for anything that they can sell’n roll!

I don’t think I am missing the point Don. Look at all the other posts and they make it out to be the worst vehicle n the planet and because it’s a domestic they junk it based on those “merits”. GM wanted to make a little wagon of the delta platform and they decided to make an homage to the late 40s Suburban. I mean how many other SUVs could they recall on design? I would rather have something that quirky and a little out of touch with mainstream than something that recalls appliances. Albeit styling is objective Aaron makes no fuss about it being a really good performance vehicle that ranks up there with other FWD vehicles. I mean atleast GM is getting better with every iteration of there vehicles. You have to atleast that much.

The Chevy HHR wearing a “SS” badge is blasphemous. A true “SS” Chevy should be rear wheel drive. Chevy has access to very good V-6’s and V-8’s
Turn the Malibu into a RWD vehicle, and then Chevy can kick its heals at GTI’s, WRX’s, SI’s and all the rest

Andre, you write “Motor Trend COTY” as if that’s worth the effort to even punch those letters into the keyboard. That’s as prestigious an honor as winning a Razzie. 1990 Chevy Caprice, anyone? Motor Trend will never live that down, and they’ve always been the bottom of the barrel in “big name” car mags.

I don’t think anyone’s trashing the HHR for being domestic, they’re trashing it for being a shameless me-too clone offering nothing special.

And how many decades are we going to hear “the domestics are improving…” Yes, we know domestic cars are getting better, and so are cars from the rest of the world.

Don, the PT would never be mistaken for an Airstream, and even the most vehement PT basher would have to admit that it worked very well for Chrysler, becoming a gotta-have car for many people. Certainly it’s been far more successful than the HHR.

Andre,
As to those who are willing to lambast the Big Three’s quality, they are going to get a big surprise, most probably from GM and soon. GM is capable of building great cars like the Corvette(my favorite car on the planet),CTS, their Buicks and pehaps this new Malibu, while Toyota is definitely on a backslide. But quality is not the only factor here. It’s producing what the public wants. A niche car like the HHR is a waste of time and R&R dollars to me. The Malibu seems to be a good move, so is the Vue SUV. How about a Civic challenger? An Aveo is NOT the answer. I may tout Honda all the time, but I want the Big Three to do well…REALLY!

I am by no means a GM fan but I am actually considering this car for my next purchase. Gm really seems to be on a roll with cars like the Malibu, the Vette (for the past few years) and the Buick crossover SUV. Looks aside (and I find the HHR to be very attractive in a West Coast one off type of way), I think there’s a tremendous amount of virtue in this package for a very appealing price. MUCH better than the SRT-4 whatever from Chrysler and, IMHO, almost as nice as the MazadaSpeed3–whose looks I despise. I can’t wait for my test drive here in NY and look forward to reading some in depth reviews in the major car mags.

Just drove the HHR SS today!! Have been looking to replace my wife’s honda civic ex and have driven hondas (including civic v-tec, 6 cyl accord, toyotas, scions…) The HHR SS is impressive. Power, handling, interior and fit and finish were impressive. even for a “domestic”. The car has plenty of power in 3rd @ 30 moh and in 3rd at 60 mph. 4th gear @ 80 mph cruise is much quietier than our current civic (which whines @ 80 like it doesn’t like to go that fast) The HHR steering was almost uncomfortably nimble and would require some getting used to. Import or domeswtic??? you guys argue that point. I think the HHR is good looking and can see loading my family and going to the beach with surf boards on top and looking cool and able to pass most anything else on the road !!!

All the reviews are stating that the automatic has a 235 horse engine. The automatic has 250 horsepower. I know, I own one and I have no regrets buying it. No, it’s not ugly. No, it does not remind me of a PT Cruiser. And everybody loves my HHR SS.

I have an SS. It handles perfectly in the rain. It’s apples to oranges comparing the standard version HHRs to the SS version. Holds the road like glue. Looks great and deserves the SS badge. Yes, I would buy it again!!

Well, I DID buy one! (see comment #13)

Got mine back in Feb.–black on black w/ 5 spd and limited slip. Had to go way up the Hudson to find one that had a MTX as LI dealers will only stock the autos?!?!

Negatives? Tranny a little stiff (especially difficult to shift into 5th although getting better), visibility poor with the tiny windows and huge A pillars (although helped by large mirrors), can’t heel and toe.

Positives? Really love the car’s performance, overall economy and wealth of features (XM, driver info center, Pioneer speaker system, sunroof)–especially at the $22.8K I paid after rebate, GM card earnings and beating up the dealer a little. Plenty of room inside for people and stuff. Love the look and feel of the interior although hard plastic abounds…

My hot rodding days are over (haven’t used launch control yet) and the car can be driven in a very relaxed manner. But nail it and it goes–with very little torque steer. I’m getting 23-24mpg consistantly around town on regular gas.

I personally love the look (a love/hate thing, yes?) and I think that GM has a winner here for the right (probably limited) audience.

Black on Black HHR SS.. 30 MPG and hold’s the road just fine. Done BMW, Porsche, Vette’s & Lot’s of Hot Rod’s.

STS makes a rear Turbo kit for HHR for the 2.4 motor. The first chance to add more power to this little Chevy is a must. Everything else is in place…

Just finished test driving one, and I was fairly impressed. Now let me say that I have other older cars that would blow this thing away, but for a daily driver this vehicle had plenty of get and up and go; even without going into high boost levels. Seem to handle fine and ride fairly well. I’m VERY impressed, because it was only a few years ago I would of never considered buying a newer GM FWD product.

Plus, unlike a lot of other “sport compacts” out there, the back will actually hold stuff. As far as looks go, thats subjective and has nothing to do with the car “sucking”.

I bought a Chevy HHR Super Sport and I like it. 30mpg and it flat moves. Triple digets in 3rd gear. 0-60 in just over 6 seconds. It corners like a Corvette and is fun to drive.
I think it carries the SS badge just fine.

Just drove 3500 miles at 80mph got 28 mpg and loved every mile. 09 hhr ss all black..sweet car..just could not buy import i live and work in America..American cars are really good these days. Jerry