2006 Chevrolet HHR Consumer Reviews

Don't drive in a state that gets SNOW!!

Written by: Kimberly on 10/28/2009

Vehicle

2006 Chevrolet HHR LT 4dr Wagon (2.2L 4cyl 5M)

Review

This is not a good vehicle for driving in snow. It gets hung up in drifts and is too light to get thru deep snow. I did like all the room when the seats are down and they fold perfectly flat. Extra storage compartments were nice.I don't understand why the window controls aren't on the doors and the cups holders are so far back.

Favorite Features

Gas Mileage, storage room.

Suggested Improvements

Window controls on the doors, better handling in snow and cup holders are too far back, you have to take your eyes off the road to see them.

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This car HATES gas!!

Written by: Laura on 10/06/2009

Vehicle

2006 Chevrolet HHR LT 4dr Wagon (2.2L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I bought this to drive around my 4 HUGE dogs, which took the place of my gas guzzling SUV. I have had this car over a year with no problems. This car hates gas so much, the closer the needle gets to E, the need will jump back up, lol. I am getting close to 30mpg highway, which is awesome. VERY comfortable leather seats, and an easy driving & comfortable car.

Favorite Features

Love that I don't get killed at the gas pump. With the seats folded down there is tons of room. Very comfortable driving car.

Suggested Improvements

Do something with the noise of the sunroof when it is open. It's extremely loud, my other cars do not make that much noise with the roof open. Put better lighting in the front area. The only front lighting comes from lights off the rear-view mirror

3 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Excellent auto - except for leaking

Written by: EmeraldDixon on 09/29/2009

Vehicle

2006 Chevrolet HHR LT 4dr Wagon (2.2L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I have enjoyed driving the 2006 HR for the last three years. My only problem is leaking after heavy rains on the floor on the drivers side. Are there other people experiencing this problem?

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Trim is plastic that breaks easy

Written by: plastic crap on 09/03/2009

Vehicle

2006 Chevrolet HHR LT 4dr Wagon (2.2L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Glove box on top of dash, made of all plastic, button broke plastic screw holders and they call it trim work. must replace entire box which in 2008 was $250. Inside door handles are made of plastic and break off in your hand when opening the doors from the inside. though the broken piece is less than a 3 oz piece of circular plastic. The dealer says to fix. You must purchase a entire new door. I was quoted $468 dollars to replace with (another entire door with a plastic handle which will just break again) x 4 doors is crazy and not covered under any of the warrentees they sold me. will not buy another chevy.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

recall on all this cheap plastic "trim" ie door handles, glove boxes, etc... and but in good quality lasting parts. Don't make you replace an entire door for a plastic handle.

2 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Needed new engine ay 71,00 miles

Written by: WCS_in_SM on 08/22/2009

Vehicle

2006 Chevrolet HHR LT 4dr Wagon (2.2L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Updates "Smooth Ride" 7/22/09. 1,000 city miles after new oil cooler, HHR overheated, towed back to Rydell in Van Nuys. No compression. Diagnosis: head gasket, cost $3000, estimated 4 days in shop. Week later, still in shop, they said the engine block was cracked, needs new engine, cost $6,000, ready five days later. So $1,100 for the oil cooler and service and $6,000 for the engine. Wish I had bought a 100,000 mile warranty. HHR is well maintained, mostly L.A. city driving. Only possible explanation for block cracking is quarterly 800 mile round trip at 75-80 mph. Too much for 4 cyl engine? Would not buy another American car without long warranty.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

Engine block cracking at 71,000 miles is outrageous for any 2006 car. I would (1) stay away from any vehicle with this engine and (2) buy the long-term warranty on any American car.

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HHR 2006 LT

Written by: Jesse on 07/25/2009

Vehicle

2006 Chevrolet HHR LT 4dr Wagon (2.2L 4cyl 5M)

Review

We fell in love when we saw it on the internet.The first Chevy dealer we went to knew nothing about the HHR and told us they were new and that was about it.We decided to go to a different dealership. Walked onto the lot and found our beautiful HHR just off the truck, We could hardly wait to get it home.Ours has all the bells and whistle and we purchased a Lo-jack .added mud flaps and a bra.We took it on vacation and had a blast. People asked to sit in it and were amazde at the room it has.We have had it since 2/06 with only one problem with the power booster on the breaks.We are considering buying another HHR in the future,

Favorite Features

Our favorite feature is the sunroof and OnStar. It is great when we travel, lots of room to hold all of our bags,and there is a way to cover items with a hard plastic cover,and it cleans easily with a rag and cleaning soap,

Suggested Improvements

Please a different type of plastic,or make the panels out of a different substance. It is cheap looking and scratches easily,,Reinforce the back gate, and the luggage rack,,otherwise it is a great CAr and we LOVEit!

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Smooth ride

Written by: WCS_in_SM on 07/22/2009

Vehicle

2006 Chevrolet HHR LT 4dr Wagon (2.2L 4cyl 5M)

Review

The 2006 HHR LT has a smooth ride and is comfortable for driver and passenger on long freeway trips. We have leather with electric driver seat. Seat heaters are nice in winter, even in So. Cal. Ours needed a $1,100 oil cooler repair at 70,000 miles. Stereo works well. Odd placement of cup holders and window controls.

Favorite Features

Looks from the street, stereo, smooth ride.

Suggested Improvements

Ride got less smooth at 15,000 miles. Michelin tires helped. But it was never as nice as when new. Normal window controls. More ground clearance -- it's very low. Premium wheels still not so great looking.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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A Blast to Drive

Written by: Jake D on 05/26/2009

Vehicle

2006 Chevrolet HHR LT 4dr Wagon (2.2L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Recently bought my 2006 2LT and almost immediately took it on a 2,000 mile road trip. I highly recommend springing the extra $$$ for a LT w/sunroof. First, this vehicle is a blast to drive; it took the switchbacks of Yosemite 20 mph over the speed limit (yes, I'm bad) with no problem whatsoever. Fuel economy on the trip, which involve A LOT of mountain roads between CA and OR was 28.8mpg The negatives: I really don't mind the cup holders that others mention, but I do not like the type and quality of the materials used in the interior, pretty much all hard/cheap plastics, not worthy of this car. I'm also already having to take it in to have the brakes looked at. Love this vehicle though.

Favorite Features

Handling, fuel economy, transmission, rear storage and general appearance.

Suggested Improvements

Get rid of the ugly and cheap plastic used on the dash, doors center console. Also What's with the window buttons not on the doors? Takes a bit of getting used to. The worst thing of all is the cracker-jack toy they call gauges. These things are incredibly cheap looking.

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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This is why I always end up with a GM

Written by: CanadaEh? on 05/08/2009

Vehicle

2006 Chevrolet HHR LT 4dr Wagon (2.2L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I've owned since June 2006. I drive approx 40,000km a year in an almost equal mix of city/highway and average about 8.1L/100KM or 28.9MPG which is fantastic. On the highway, cruise set to 110km/hr I get about 34MPG and consistently over 840km to a tank. The most I've seen is 890. My car is the top level 2LT with all available options except OnStar. The 2.4L is really smooth, don't feel any vibration at idle or at traffic lights. It has a great MP3 player with Pioneer sound that's loud and clear, and is so technologically advanced. The driver info center is all configurable and programmable to your language and tastes. Remote start is great! So are the very warm heated seats.

Favorite Features

Fun to Drive. It's beautiful. Smooth and quiet. Comfortable on long trips. Flexible interior. Still really tight, no rattles. It's so high-tech. Great in the snow. Very reliable, no problems with it since new (now has 117,000km). Goes 20K+ between oil changes, costs nothing to maintain!

Suggested Improvements

I'd like a little more storage in front for small things like CD's, maps, etc. I'm not crazy about the window switches, even though I'm used to them. I'm 5'9 but I'd love another inch or two of seat travel, and more rear legroom. Cupholder placement is not as bad as some make it out to be.

2 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Update to "Great Vehicle"

Written by: Justin on 05/04/2009

Vehicle

2006 Chevrolet HHR LS 4dr Wagon (2.2L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I have now owned my HHR for 2 years and can provide an update. I am still very satisfied with the purchase. I get through my daily routine - and then some - without guzzling too much gas. I turn a few heads when the wheels are shined and the windows are down (which is always fun). One thing to note before I go on with my details: the American product is now AT LEAST as good as any foreign product. Take my HHR for example. Potential buyer, be advised... look at the reports!

Favorite Features

Exterior styling; MPG (I average 27 city/highway); higher seating position; reliability (I have run this car hard for 2 years and have had no problems. Aside from routine maintenance the HHR snubs all service stations!)

Suggested Improvements

driver visibility (taller drivers have to lean forward to see out the windshield); cupholder placement; window switch location (this is moving for '09); interior materials (the seats are hard and stain VERY easily)

12 out 12 people found this review helpful

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