2007 Chevrolet HHR LT Sedan
Reviewed by Susan Frissell
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SPECS
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This is our second test drive in the Chevrolet HHR sedan, a PT Cruiser competitor and somewhat similar style vehicle. With a standard vehicle price below the $17,000 mark, the HHR is a very affordable, comfortable and roomy run-about that doesn't look like every other car on the block.
Our test vehicle came equipped with a boatload of options ($6,780 worth), yet with a bottom line price that won't break the bank. Even without the must-have luxuriese, the HHR comes well equipped and offers what most aiming for a lower price point would be satisfied with.
Options included on our 2006 HHR LT Sedan were plentiful and included the Spring Edition Package (victory red exterior, 16-inch chrome wheels, chrome wheel center caps, leather wrapped steering wheel w/redundant radio controls, leather wrapped shift knob, HHR spring edition sport decal, bright chrome appearance package, running boards color keyed, fog lamps, luggage carrier side roof rail, $1,500); Automatic transmission with remote start, $1,000; power sunroof w/express close, $750; leather seating surfaces including heated driver/front passenger seats, $695; 2.4-liter, 4-cylinderDOHC high output gas engine with VVT and bright chrome exhaust trip,$650; 4-wheel antilock braking system, $400; airbags, side head curtain, $395; XM Satellite Radio service fee (first 3 months free), $325; Pioneer 7-speaker amplified system, $295.
For 2007, HHR is available in two versions LT and LS. Since its introduction, HHR has received five-star crash ratings (NHTSA), awarded both for driver and right-front passenger in a frontal crash, and/or side-impact crash for front seat and rear seat passengers.
Standard equipment on the HHR LT includes AM/FM stereo with CD, MP3 playback and auxiliary input jack, 60/40 split folding rear seat, reclining front bucket seats, power driver seat with lumbar, tilt steering wheel, power windows/locks, remote keyless entry, floor mats, rear window defogger, exterior lamp control, DRL's, theft deterrent, among others.
The HHR is a fun car to drive and practical for hauling small-to-medium items. The interior is friendly and comfortable and you sit high, much like in the PT Cruiser which makes for good visibility of the road. The HHR's price point is very attractive and has opened the door to first-time car buyers stepping into a Chevrolet showroom. Chevrolet is GM's bread and butter brand and with so many good offerings these days, business has been fairly brisk, with the help of incentives.