The 2007 Chevrolet HHR was the second model year for the quirky, short-lived throwback to the days of woody wagons. It packs a lot of cargo for road trips, it’s reliable, and it looks great with a surfboard strapped on top, but beyond that it’s a very basic, boring budget compact. For the same price, the 2007 Nissan Sentra outclasses the HHR in almost every area but cargo capacity.
Is the 2007 Chevrolet HHR a Good Used Car?
- Overall Rating 7/10 – “Adequate” is the best word for the 2007 Chevrolet HHR. It’s a competent, well-rounded compact that just doesn’t do enough to earn a recommendation over a similarly priced Elantra or Sentra.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 7/10 – The HHR stands out as one of the most spacious compacts on the market in terms of cargo capacity. Seating is another story, with the awkward layout having 50 inches of hiproom feeling more like 40.
- Reliability 8/10 – If nothing else, you can say that the HHR won’t leave you stranded. Regular maintenance should get you to at least 200,000 miles before anything expensive breaks.
- Safety 6/10 – The 2007 Chevy HHR earned mediocre crash test scores, and anti-lock brakes cost extra even in the higher trim level.
- Gas Mileage 8/10 – It’s hardly a class-leader on the fuel economy front, but it’s definitely up to par for a 2007 budget compact.
- Value 8/10 – The HHR is priced fairly, but it feels like a budget car. You could do a lot worse for four grand, and you could do a lot better.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the 2007 Chevrolet HHR?
Consumer Reports praise the 2007 Chevrolet HHR for its extensive cargo space, but that’s about as far as their positive remarks go. They go on to criticize the cheap-feeling finish, the unrefined engine, the cramped driver’s space, the awkward control layout, and the unresponsive transmission.
Kelley Blue Book users were a bit kinder to the 2007 HHR, giving it a decent 85% recommendation and praising the car’s long-lasting engine and transmission, with one driver reporting more than 350,000 miles on the odometer. The car’s strong fuel economy and charming retro look drew praise, as well.
Edmunds liked the smooth, quiet ride, the expansive cargo space, the charming visual design, inside and out, and the quality sound system. Mediocre handling, weak braking, awkward layout, and cheap plastic interior components earned the car some red marks.
What Common Problems Does the 2007 Chevrolet HHR Have?
Steering issues make up more than half of the 2007 HHR’s 711 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration complaints. Drivers report power steering failure at various speeds. There have been no recalls or investigations into the matter as yet.
A number of drivers have experienced interior door handles snapping right off in their hand. One driver reports that the only way for them to get out of their car is by rolling the window down and opening it from the outside. That’s already mildly embarrassing, but could be potentially life-threatening in an emergency.
The airbags were recalled twice, once in 2008 for airbag failure, and once in 2014 for failure to deploy as a result of the ignition switch turning itself off. Despite these, drivers have reported airbag failure as late as early 2021.
The 2007 Chevrolet HHR has just 5 recalls on file. With fewer than 1,000 complaints and zero investigations, the compact’s NHTSA numbers are within reason for a car of this age.
How Long Will the 2007 Chevrolet HHR Last?
A Chevrolet HHR should last a minimum of 200,000 miles with adequate maintenance. You can expect to hit 250,000 if you’re lucky enough to find one in good condition and you never miss an oil change. Some drivers report 300,000 miles and up, but that’s unlikely in a used model.
Repairpal estimate an annual maintenance cost of around $353, with new intake manifold gaskets being the most expensive common fix, starting at $377.
The hhr is reliable having excellent gas mileage and ease of repair and maintenance along with ease of handling.
It is very reliable, takes me all the way to Huntsville and San Antonio with no issues. Personally this car is great.
Yes it is reliable. I have had to replace bearings in front end and deal with drainage problems from moon roof but nothing else.
It starts every morning no misfires just a small oil leak it gets me where I am going. Front shocks need to be replaced.
It has been generally speaking reliable. I have had to replace minor parts myself that typically go bad, and most people would junk the vehicle.
We haven't had any problems with ours. The only issues we have had were natural disaster damages such as hail. It runs really smooth.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology in the 2007 Chevy HHR is good for the model year. CD players come standard and some models include MP3 players. Remember that iPhones weren’t out yet when this car first launched, so the tech may feel dated by now.
Safety technology is pretty meager in the 2007 HHR. Anti-lock brakes cost extra, even in the higher trim levels, traction control is nowhere to be found, and you can forget about newer features like lane keep assist and rearview cameras.
Is the 2007 Chevrolet HHR a Good Value?
The 2007 Chevrolet HHR is a decent value. The entry-level model typically lists for around $4,280, while a high-end LT Panel Wagon may fetch around $5,043. So the sticker price is nice and low. The car is fuel-efficient and cheap to maintain, as well.
But, it’s kind of bare bones for the price, even in the higher trim levels. The HHR is serviceable, it’s reliable, and it’s priced fairly, but it’s a bit bland, interior features are unimpressive and outdated, and there are better cars to be found in the same price range.
What are the Different Models of the 2007 Chevrolet HHR?
The 2007 Chevy HHR is available in two body types, standard and Panel Wagon, and two trims, LS and LT.
In the standard LS model you’re getting:
- Manual air conditioning
- 6-way manual adjust driver seat
- Cloth seating
- CD player with auxiliary input jack and 6 speakers
- Driver information center
The high-end LT trim adds:
- 8-way power driver seat
- MP3 player
- Driver lumbar support
What Engines Come In the 2007 Chevrolet HHR?
- The LS model HHR comes packed with a 2.2L inline-four engine delivering 149 horsepower and 152 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 4-speed automatic in front wheel drive and it averages 23/30 miles to the gallon.
- Available in the LT is a 2.4L Ecotec inline-four delivering 175 horsepower and 165 lb.-ft. of torque at 23/30 miles to the gallon. This is paired to a 4-speed automatic in front wheel drive.
What Colors Does the 2007 Chevrolet HHR Come In?
How Comfortable Is the 2007 Chevrolet HHR?
The 2007 Chevrolet HHR is moderately comfortable. The seating is nice and firm, you’ve got 50 inches of hip room in the back, and the suspension has held up well over the years. But the layout is a bit awkward and interior space is poorly optimized, leaving some people feeling a bit claustrophobic in the cabin.
How Much Storage Space Does the 2007 Chevrolet HHR Have?
The 2007 Chevrolet HHR really shines in the storage department, packing 23.8 cubic feet to start with and expanding to up to 62.7 cubic feet, which is enough for small furniture hauls and puts the HHR into compact SUV territory for sheer cargo capacity.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The Chevrolet HHR ran for just one generation, from 2006 to 2011. The 2007 was the second model year of the 1st Generation.
2006: The HHR made its debut as a wagon-style compact, intended to remind drivers of the classic woody wagons of the 1960s.
2007: Panel-van LTs were added for 2007, adding a little extra bit of nostalgia.
2008: Panel vans were extended to the LS trim for 2008.
2009: New for 2009 was an SS Turbocharged model packing a 2.0L EcoTec i4.
2010: Chevy dropped the SS Turbo in 2010.
2011: With the discontinuation of the HHR, Chevy began to phase the car out of mass production, selling off the remaining stock as fleet models.
How Does the 2007 Chevrolet HHR Compare to the Competition?
The 2007 Chevrolet HHR is usually compared to the Chrysler PT Cruiser, another retro-style wagon-inspired budget compact. Like the Cruiser, the HHR is kind of boring, and more “adequate” than “excellent.” The PT Cruiser tends to list a bit cheaper and the layout isn’t quite as awkward, but differences are mostly marginal.
Hyundai usually dominates the budget compact market with the iconic Elantra, but, for 2007, the Nissan Sentra is arguably the superior car in the $4,000 range, delivering very good fuel economy and solid horsepower with a reliable 1-speed CVT and a spacious interior.
The 2007 Chevrolet HHR isn’t a bad car by any means. It’s got a quirky charm in its nostalgic wagon-inspired design, but for the most part, it’s kind of a bore to drive. It’s a decent car for the price, but the Sentra’s better.
Do Owners Recommend the 2007 Chevrolet HHR?
Yes, very good because of handling, cabin space and comfort and cargo space with fold down rear seats.
Yes, it drives nicely, very spacious, and has amazing amenities. One thing I wish it was capable of having were seat warmers.
Yes, I have been happy with it. The only problem I have had is water not flowing out drain properly when it rains but if kept clear, no problem.
It has been a good vehicle so far. Tires had to be replaced and gas lines because of age but it still runs good.
For the price I paid it has been reliable and efficient. It was purchased as a work from home vehicle but was converted to a passenger vehicle.
Yes we like it. It's pretty versatile. The seats fold down in the back so you use it for hauling stuff and the back is plastic lined instead of carpeted. Same with backing on the seats. You can also get versions of it that are used for stuff other than passengers with the options of panels instead of windows. It's pretty nice. They stopped making this model but we would consider getting another one for sure.
