The 2006 Chevrolet HHR may not be the best budget compact released in its model year, but it’s a fun, unique little car with a nostalgic wagon-style design and plenty of cargo space. The Elantra may be the best budget compact on paper, but, despite wimpy acceleration and cramped seating, the HHR has its own undeniable charm.
Is the 2006 Chevrolet HHR a Good Used Car?
- Overall Rating 7/10 – For the most part, the HHR is merely serviceable, but it has a certain charm that’s hard to deny.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 7/10 – The HHR deserves a 6/10 for the awkwardly designed seats, but the extensive cargo space earns it an extra point.
- Reliability 8/10 – Some drivers report the engine and powertrain reaching more than 350,000 miles. But, cheap build quality may result in a lot of minor fixes on the way there.
- Safety 6/10 – Crash test scores are mediocre, and anti-lock brakes cost extra.
- Gas Mileage 8/10 – The base i4 gets 23/30 miles to the gallon, which is pretty good for a compact that’s nearing its twentieth birthday.
- Value 8/10 – The 2006 Hyundai Elantra offers a better value overall, but the HHR is a strong silver medal contender in the budget compact market.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the 2006 Chevrolet HHR?
Consumer Reports were impressed by the 2006 Chevrolet HHR’s cargo space, and that’s about it. They didn’t like the awkward control layout, the claustrophobic driver’s seat, the cheap-feeling finishing materials, or the rough engine and unresponsive transmission.
Kelley Blue Book users were a bit kinder, giving the 2006 HHR a decent 85% recommendation. Positive remarks covered the car’s low maintenance costs, unique design, decent fuel economy and, above all, longevity, with one driver reporting an incredible 350,000 miles on the original engine and transmission.
Edmunds split the difference with a measured review praising the smooth, quiet ride, cargo space, and attractive design, inside and out. They didn’t like the wimpy braking, the soft cornering, or the tight shoulder room, and they felt the engine could use a bit more get-up-and-go.
What Common Problems Does the 2006 Chevrolet HHR Have?
Electrical issues make up about one in five of the 2006 HHR’s 995 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration complaints, with drivers reporting the ignition switch moving out of the run position at random, despite three recalls intended to address this problem back in 2014.
There are 118 structure complaints on file, with drivers reporting a range of problems essentially coming down to cheap build quality. Doors may get stuck and refuse to open, dashboard panels may come loose, sunroofs may pop out of the frame and so on.
Among 38 engine complaints and 81 for the powertrain, the most concerning issue has to do with the cable adjustment clip coming loose and failing to engage the correct gear, resulting in issues like rollaway when you think your car is in park.
The 2006 HHR has just 6 recalls on file with the NHTSA, which isn’t bad for a vehicle of this age. But, some of the complaints on file are concerning, so don’t skip the test drive.
How Long Will the 2006 Chevrolet HHR Last?
You should expect a minimum lifespan of around 200,000 miles in a well-kept Chevrolet HHR, and you might be able to hit 250,000 with excellent care. There are reports of the car passing 300,000 or 350,000 miles, but that’s easier to accomplish when you’re buying brand new.
Repairpal estimate an annual maintenance cost of around $542 for HHR drivers, with the most expensive common fix being a new catalytic converter starting at around $1,634. Fuel level sending units may need replacing after awhile, too, and typically start at around $911.
It needs brake jobs more than most other cars. But I haven't noticed any other issues with it in the last 2 years other than the usual maintenance.
The problems you will encounter are par for the course when owning a vehicle. This is an American car so repairs for the most part are less expensive and easier to do yourself. As long as you maintain it reasonably well you should be able to avoid major problems. I have not experienced or read about any specific issues this car would be known for.
Yes it's a reliable vehicle. I haven't had any major problems out of it. Pretty much normal stuff like brakes, shocks,struts and normal maintenance stuff.
It is very reliable. We had issues with the battery for a short period of time. We ended up getting a new battery for it.
Yes, it is reliable. It just has minor problems. It will soon need new rotors, but other than that, it is in good condition for the year.
Yes it is very reliable. The only problem we have had so far is the sunroof and the air conditioner.
It has been the best vehicle I have ever had. No problems at all. I'm so proud of it. Very reliable vehicle.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology in the HHR is decent for 2006. The entry-level LS comes with a CD player and the high-end LT adds an MP3 player to the mix. Nothing too cutting edge, but about as much as you can expect for this model year.
Safety technology is basic at best. No traction control, anti-lock brakes cost extra, and you can forget about advanced features like rearview cameras.
Is the 2006 Chevrolet HHR a Good Value?
The 2006 Chevrolet HHR is a pretty good value. It’s a mid-range compact at a budget-compact price, with the LS typically listing at around $4,067, and the high-end LT at around $4,311. Combined with low maintenance costs and decent fuel economy, that’s a solid deal.
Price differences between the LS and LT models are negligible, so you might as well hunt down an LT model and get an MP3 player and an 8-way power adjust driver seat.
What are the Different Models of the 2006 Chevrolet HHR?
The 2006 Chevrolet HHR is offered in just two trims, the LS and the LT.
The entry-level LS starts you off with:
- Manual air conditioning
- CD player
- Remote keyless entry
- Cruise control
- 6-way manual adjust driver seat
With the high-end LT you’re adding:
- 8-way power adjust driver seat
- MP3 player
- Driver lumbar support
What Engines Come In the 2006 Chevrolet HHR?
- The base engine in the 2006 HHR is a 2.2L inline-four delivering 143 horsepower and 150 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 4-speed automatic transmission in front wheel drive and averages 23/30 miles to the gallon.
- In the LT model you’ll find In the LT model HHR you’ll find a 2.4L inline-four delivering 172 horsepower and 162 lb.-ft. of torque, and averaging 20/28 miles to the gallon. This is paired to a 4-speed automatic in front wheel drive. Note that both engines are available with 5-speed manual if you prefer an old school stick-shift.
What Colors Does the 2006 Chevrolet HHR Come In?
How Comfortable Is the 2006 Chevrolet HHR?
The 2006 Chevrolet HHR is spacious, but awkward in its interior design. You’ve got 51 inches of rear hip room, which would usually be enough for two or three adults, but with just 52 inches of shoulder room, the back seat can feel a bit tight.
It’s the same story up front, where the bucket seats are nice and firm, but the layout is poorly optimized, making the cabin feel smaller than it really is.
How Much Storage Space Does the 2006 Chevrolet HHR Have?
The HHR can pack up to 63 cubic feet with the seats folded down, or around 23 with the seats up. This is about as close as you’re going to get to a moving van in the compact wagon market. The seating could be more spacious, but you’ll have no problem packing all the cargo you want to pack.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The 2006 Chevrolet HHR was the debut model year for the wagon’s first and only generation, running from 2006 to 2011.
2006: The Chevrolet HHR debuted as a wagon-style compact car with retro-inspired styling, hearkening back to the woody wagons of the 1960s.
2007: A panel-van LT model debuted in 2007, for those who needed a little extra bit of nostalgia before they made the purchase.
2008: The panel-van body style was extended to the LS models for 2008.
2009: An SS Turbocharged model was introduced for 2009, featuring a 2.0L EcoTec inline-four.
2010: The SS model was dropped for 2010.
2011: The discontinuation of the HHR was announced in 2011, and Chevrolet phased the car out of mass-production, selling the remaining inventory as fleet models.
How Does the 2006 Chevrolet HHR Compare to the Competition?
The 2006 Chevrolet HHR is often compared to the Chrysler PT Cruiser, another short-lived, retro-styled compact wagon. Both compacts are cheap, and kind of unremarkable. But, where the HHR is serviceable, the Cruiser is prone to early breakdown, making the HHR the clear winner.
Year after year, the Hyundai Elantra stands as the budget compact to beat, and 2006 is no exception. The 2006 Elantra is reliable, affordable, and efficient. It’s a few horses weaker than the HHR, but with the lighter body weight, you won’t notice the difference.
The 2006 Hyundai Elantra is still the best budget compact in its model year, with more comfortable seating than the HHR, but if you really like the wagon-style body and generous cargo space found in the Chevrolet, it’s a pretty dependable little budget car.
Do Owners Recommend the 2006 Chevrolet HHR?
Yes. Spacious. Lots of trunk space. Convenient. It has a lot of great compartments for stuff. I love that the seats lay down flat and I can use my car to transport stuff.
Yes. Reliable and inexpensive to maintain. It has a small engine but it is a fun car to zip around in. Good gas mileage and smooth highway driving. . Interior features are basic and easy to use.
Yes it's been a really good vehicle. It's a really reliable vehicle. It gets pretty good gas mileage. There is plenty of room for a family of 5 to ride in it comfortable. The driver and passenger seats are heated. That is a nice feature on it. I just wish that the back seats were heated as well. The heat and ac works really good in it also. It has a lot of room for groceries. The back seats fold down and give you room for hauling big items. Overall we get good service out of it. I also like power locks and power windows in it.
Yes it is a very good vehicle. We haven't had many issues with it. It is very reliable and comfortable seating.
It is very good because it is reliable. It does not have too much problems. Only minor or normal maintenance from time to time. We use it for errands and longer commutes. It is the only car we let our one year old be in.
The 2006 Chevrolet Hhr is a good vehicle. It gets good gas mileage. Easy to drive. Drives smooth. 5 seater
Yes it is a great vehicle I love it. Haven't had any issues with it tearing up or anything. I am proud to be an owner of an hhr.
