Chevrolet HHR SS 2.0 Turbo
The Chevrolet HHR SS is one of the most unexpected performance cars of the late 2000s. Based on the HHR (Heritage High Roof), a retro-styled wagon that evoked the 1949 Chevrolet Suburban, the SS version packed GM's potent 2.0-liter turbocharged Ecotec engine, the same unit found in the Cobalt SS and Pontiac Solstice GXP. The result was a 260-horsepower, front-wheel-drive wagon that could run the quarter mile in the mid-14s.
The HHR itself was designed by Bryan Nesbitt, who had previously penned the Chrysler PT Cruiser while working at that company. The similarity between the two vehicles was unmistakable, though the HHR was built on GM's Delta platform and shared nothing mechanical with its Chrysler rival. The retro-inspired exterior, with its art-deco-influenced grille, round headlights, and prominent fender bulges, divided opinion, but it was certainly distinctive.
What set the SS apart from the regular HHR was the depth of its performance engineering. The LNF 2.0-liter turbocharged direct-injection engine was a genuinely modern unit, producing 260 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. A five-speed manual was the only transmission offered — GM wisely recognized that the target buyer wanted full engagement. Brembo four-piston front brake calipers, a sport-tuned suspension, and 18-inch wheels completed the package.
The HHR SS also offered a factory Performance Package that added a limited-slip differential, a short-throw shifter, a cold-air intake, and a sport exhaust system. With this package, the car was remarkably capable on a twisting road, though the front-wheel-drive layout and torsion-beam rear suspension set a lower handling ceiling than the Cobalt SS coupe.
Production of the HHR SS was limited, running only from 2008 through 2010 before the HHR line was discontinued entirely in 2011. The SS's combination of rarity, genuine performance, and quirky styling has given it a small but devoted following among enthusiasts who appreciate cars that refuse to take themselves too seriously.
The LNF 2.0T engine is the same unit used in the Cobalt SS and is generally reliable, but check for turbo wastegate rattle and timing chain tensioner noise. The five-speed manual transmission is robust. Look for signs of tuning — many HHR SS owners modified their cars, and poorly done tunes can cause engine damage. Brembo brakes are a plus but caliper rebuilds can be expensive. Interior quality is typical late-2000s GM economy car — expect rattles and worn soft-touch surfaces. Rust can affect the rocker panels and rear wheel arches. Verify the Performance Package components if claimed.
The HHR SS was produced for only three model years (2008-2010), with relatively low production numbers compared to the standard HHR. The manual-only transmission limited its appeal to enthusiasts. A panel van version of the standard HHR was also offered for commercial use. The HHR line was discontinued after 2011 when the Ramos Arizpe plant was retooled.