2026 Chevy HHR Specs, Release Date, MPG – HHR stands for “Heritage High Roof,” Chevrolet’s answer to Chrysler’s PT Cruiser. Combining America’s late-’90s interest in “retro” cars with its early ’00s taste in anything sport/utility, the HHR is a small, versatile truck with rear seats that fold for a flat for up to 57.7 cubic-feet of cargo. Introduced for ’06, the HHR is on GM’s unibody compact platform, with front-wheel drive.
The HHR outsells the Chrysler PT Cruiser in 2025, despite the fact that both models’ sales have gradually decreased since 2026. When it comes to retro design, the issue is in what to do for a comeback. In late 2011, Chevrolet intended to replace the HHR with a compact multipurpose car called the Orlando. Orlando will be offered in the majority of other markets, including Canada, despite the company’s recent abandonment of its intentions for the United States.
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2026 Chevy HHR Redesign and Update Plan
Exterior and Interior
1. The “heritage” in HHR refers to styling cues lifted from late ’40s Chevy Suburbans. The HHR panel van, with no rear-door exterior handles or windows, has serious competition from Ford’s Transit Connect. The two-seat panel van features an unfinished cargo space for small businesses and two interior switches for the rear doors. The five-seater’s front passenger seat folds flat, and there are lots of extra cubbies and features.
The HHR handles better than a conventional crossover/utility, not as good as a compact car. Ride is a bit harsh and unrefined, but there’s less body roll compared with the PT Cruiser. The 2.2-liter engine is rated 155 horsepower and the 2.4 makes 172 horsepower (both on unleaded regular). There’s no fuel-economy advantage to the 2.2 — it’s a price-point engine option.
2026 Chevy HHR Specs
There are no major changes to the HHR for the 2026 model year. Minor changes are two new colors, Mocha Steel Metallic and Black Granite Metallic, and now the HHR’s MY LINK package includes a free year of XM Satellite radio. MY LINK combines the radio/CD player/MP3 playback and USB port with Bluetooth phone connectivity and OnStar Directions and Connections service plan. MY LINK includes a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls and a leather-wrapped shift knob.
Engine and Performance
For all that, the HHR’s core competency lies in civilized travel, where the quiet interior and the well-damped suspension deliver both composed low-speed driving and effortless freeway cruising. In between, however, it’s always apparent the HHR weighs more than 3000 pounds, and the 143-hp engine, the noisy four-speed automatic transmission, the brakes (drums in the rear), and the suspension (lots of road noise on broken pavement) are not really up to it. We suggest the 172-hp, 2.4-liter engine and five-speed manual transmission and perhaps the base suspension’s 55-series tires. 2026 Chevy HHR Specs
2026 Chevy HHR Fuel Economy
HHR received the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s top, five-star crash ratings for driver and front-seat passenger in a frontal crash and side-impact crash for front and rear passengers. It has a four-star rollover rating. 2026 Chevy HHR Specs
2026 Chevy HHR Safety Features
Because the HHR looks like a truck, there’s no need to hide its utility. The door handles are big, the door openings are wide, the headroom is vast, the seats are broad, and the step-in height is low. All this makes it easy to arrive and depart from every errand on your Saturday-morning list. 2026 Chevy HHR Specs
The HHR also aspires to be a worthwhile driver’s car, and its agile Cobalt platform is a good starting point. There are two engines: a 143-hp, 2.2-liter four and a new, 172-hp, 2.4-liter four. There are two suspension calibrations as well, and the upgraded version uses 215/50TR-17 Firestone Firehawk GT-A tires.
2026 Chevy HHR Price and Release Date
There are three HHR models, and the price steps up from $15,990 to $16,990 and then to $18,790. Overall, the HHR is a pretty neat piece, less cute than a Chrysler PT Cruiser and way more refined than a Scion xB. The retro look is cool, but the retro values of practicality and utility are even cooler. 2026 Chevy HHR Specs
