Utility, Fun and Frugality Define Retro Wagon
Pictures can be deceiving, especially when it comes to an object's size. Case in point: the new Chevy HHR. When I first espied photos of Chevy's
pre-production, concept HHR, I speculated that its size would be similar to their Trailblazer, a slightly larger than mid-size SUV. Then I reviewed the specifications and realized the HHR was indeed a compact wagon, not a big SUV.
Seeing the compact model in the metal surprised me even further; the HHR is not even mid-size. In fact at 176.2 inches in overall length it's 4 inches shorter than Chevy's 4-door Cobalt on which it is based. Yet the HHR is bigger in every exterior dimension than Chrysler's PT Cruiser, although curiously it has a smaller maximum cargo-volume rating of 63.1 cu-ft than the PT's 64.2 cu-ft of carrying space - go figure.
Although it may be a few cubic feet shy of a full PT, the HHR can completely ingest an 8-foot ladder when its front passenger seat back is folded down.
Conceptually, the size of the HHR is probably pretty clear at this point, so let's focus on the vehicle's unique styling. The letters "HHR" represent the vehicle's main design element of a high heritage roof, in reference to its resemblance to the late 1940s to early 1950s Chevy Suburbans. It's this binary, love it or hate it styling that makes the HHR so uniquely appealing or unappealing, depending on your binary code. Personally I think the good ole boys at Chevy have done a remarkable job of seamlessly blending post-war design elements into a modern edition of an extremely functional compact wagon. Yet the true beauty of the HHR isn't its throwback sheet metal, its practicality, or even its superior build quality. No, it's its price. I can't think of any other vehicle that offers a hotter combination of utility, fun and frugality for a Canadian base price of $15,990.
Pictures can be deceiving, especially when it comes to an object's size. Case in point: the new Chevy HHR. When I first espied photos of Chevy's
 |
| The HHR is bigger in every exterior dimension than Chrysler's PT Cruiser, although curiously it has a smaller maximum cargo-volume rating. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press) |
Seeing the compact model in the metal surprised me even further; the HHR is not even mid-size. In fact at 176.2 inches in overall length it's 4 inches shorter than Chevy's 4-door Cobalt on which it is based. Yet the HHR is bigger in every exterior dimension than Chrysler's PT Cruiser, although curiously it has a smaller maximum cargo-volume rating of 63.1 cu-ft than the PT's 64.2 cu-ft of carrying space - go figure.
 |
| The good ole boys at Chevy have done a remarkable job of seamlessly blending post-war design elements into a modern edition of an extremely functional compact wagon. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press) |
Conceptually, the size of the HHR is probably pretty clear at this point, so let's focus on the vehicle's unique styling. The letters "HHR" represent the vehicle's main design element of a high heritage roof, in reference to its resemblance to the late 1940s to early 1950s Chevy Suburbans. It's this binary, love it or hate it styling that makes the HHR so uniquely appealing or unappealing, depending on your binary code. Personally I think the good ole boys at Chevy have done a remarkable job of seamlessly blending post-war design elements into a modern edition of an extremely functional compact wagon. Yet the true beauty of the HHR isn't its throwback sheet metal, its practicality, or even its superior build quality. No, it's its price. I can't think of any other vehicle that offers a hotter combination of utility, fun and frugality for a Canadian base price of $15,990.