Meeting, Not Exceeding

The '06 Chevrolet HHR's biggest challenge, predicted by most of the all-new cross/utility vehicle's critics, surfaces during the first stop of a daylong media test-drive along the northern California coast.

As the cars pull up at Stinson Beach, about 20 miles (32 km) north of San Francisco, a beach straggler inquires, “Is that the new PT Cruiser?”

Ouch! Chevrolet had just spent hours making its case during a marketing presentation that the HHR is no Chrysler PT Cruiser clone, but rather a combination of the Chevrolet SSR pickup and a '49 Suburban carry-all.

The beachgoer's reaction echoed that of the media during the HHR's unveiling last year at the Los Angeles auto show, prompting one of product czar Bob Lutz's entertaining outbursts.

“Read my lips, the HHR marketed through Chevrolet dealerships and the price we're going to sell it at will be sensationally successful,” GM's product development chief said at the time.

Well, now it's time to read this: The HHR far exceeds the initial reaction of cynics. But it fails to better the PT Cruiser, the segment creator and leader, in many metrics. It's fine to be late to a segment. But the goal should be to outshine the existing star, not merely match it.

Chevrolet also considers the Honda Element, Scion xB, Ford Escape and Jeep Liberty to be HHR competitors. But the Escape and Liberty, with their 4-wheel-drive capabilities, probably won't fight for customers with the HHR. And the PT Cruiser easily is the sales leader over the Element and xB.

Every significant vehicle specification for the HHR — headroom, legroom, vehicle width, etc. — is nearly identical to the PT Cruiser.

One exception is vehicle length: The HHR is 7.3 ins. (18.5 cm) longer at 176.2 ins. (447 cm). Yet, it does not capitalize on the size advantage by offering notably more cargo space or rear-seat room.

With the rear seats removed, the HHR's 63.1 cu.-ft. (1.8 cu.-m) of cargo capacity bests the PT Cruiser by less than 0.5 cu.-ft. (0.01 cu.-m). And PT has more leg and shoulder room for rear-seat passengers than HHR.

PT Cruiser offers a lower starting price — $13,995 — and a wider price range, topping out at $23,620 for the GT model. That does not include the convertible model, which stickers north of $31,000. HHR pricing begins at $15,990 (including destination charges) for the base LS model and $16,990 for the optional LT.

The PT Cruiser also holds the upper hand in horsepower, offering 150 hp with the base 2.4L I-4 and 220 hp with the high-output turbocharged GT. The HHR comes with a standard 2.2L 4-cyl. putting out 143 hp — pretty feeble these days. The HHR's optional 2.4L 4-cyl. mill supplies 172 hp.

Word is that plans for a turbocharged HHR were dropped during the very early stages of the CUV's development. That's a shame, because the chubby HHR needs a kick in the pants.

A peppier engine is the only ingredient missing from what otherwise is a wonderful driving experience through California's Marin and Sonoma counties.

The HHR is fun to drive, especially with the standard 5-speed manual transmission. A 4-speed automatic transmission is available.

The HHR and Chevy Cobalt share the same front-wheel drive architecture, and the small car's sound ride and handling characteristics translate to the new CUV. Even though the HHR's ground clearance is raised 1-in. (2.5 cm) to 6.3 ins. (16 cm), and it is 8.1 ins. (20.6 cm) taller than the Cobalt, body roll is not an issue.

But like the Cobalt, the HHR's interior could be better.

That said, stereo and climate controls are chunky and not overly rubbery. The circular door handles are easy to operate, the tachometer is pleasingly offset over a portion of the speedometer, and the vents have an interesting honeycomb design under the black-plastic flaps.

But the gaps are too large around the power window controls, which are in a PT Cruiser-like location between the front seats. The hard plastic on the doors is tacky.

There is no ring around the door locks, which emerge from the doors through a shoddily molded hole. And good luck finding the rear windshield wiper button — it is on the center stack below the climate controls and next to the power outlet.

The HHR's exterior styling was slammed at its debut for being a plump version of the PT Cruiser. Yet, on the road, the HHR looks considerably slimmer, and it is infinitely more attractive than the slabby xB and the plastic-intensive Element.

The HHR's rear end sits low, with the C-pillar drawing inward toward the roofline, while the fender bump-outs provide some attitude.

The front-end grille resembles four highly polished military sabers laid side by side.

Ten-hut! The HHR now is standing at attention in Chevrolet dealerships. Naysayers not withstanding, GM expects sales of about 60,000 units annually in the U.S.

'06 Chevrolet HHR 2LT

Vehicle type: Front-engine, front-wheel drive, 5-passenger cross/utility vehicle

Engine: 2.4L (2,384 cc) DOHC I-4, aluminum/block/aluminum head

Power (SAE net): 172 hp @ 6,200 rpm

Torque: 162 lb.-ft. (220 Nm) @ 5,000 rpm

Compression ratio: 10.5:1

Bore × stroke (mm): 88 × 98

Transmission: 5-speed manual

Wheelbase: 103.5 ins. (263 cm)

Overall length: 176.2 ins. (448 cm)

Overall width: 69.2 ins. (176 cm)

Overall height: 65.2 ins. (166 cm)

Curb weight: 3,208 lbs. (1,455 kg)

EPA fuel economy, city/highway (mpg): 22/30 (estimated)

Market competition: Chrysler PT Cruiser; Honda Element; Scion Xb