I currently drive a big ol' gas guzzling Dodge Ram 4x4 and its really hurting me in the wallet each fillup. I've been considering trading it in, and the HHR is one of the vehicles out there that really appeal to me, but I have some questions about them....

1) Just how safe are these things? Why is it that I can't find any crash test results on them? Also, the electric power steering setup kinda concerns me. What happens if it were to cut out, would you lose control of the car? At least with traditional power steering systems, increased steering effort is the only result of a failure.

2) How are these things in the snow, honestly. I know going to any 2wd vehicle when I'm used to driving a 4x4 is going to be an adjustment, but I do have a decent amount of miles to drive to commute to work each day and I want to know that I will make it there. I was never a big fan of ABS, its just one more expensive thing that breaks. Is the traction control worth getting the ABS option?

3) I bought my truck so I could haul my ATV. It weighs 650 pounds dry. I don't know if there is anyone making a trailer under 350 to make the 1000 pound towing capacity. I suppose I could downsize to a smaller, lighter sport quad or buy a beater truck to haul with. How much of a load have you carried in your HHR? How did it handle? How well did it stop? Is anyone even making a hitch for these things yet?

Thanks in advance.

 

The front impact crash test have been done... 5 STARS!!!

There are hitches out there for the HHR, but I dont haul much since I lowered mine.

 

do a search on towing,,, there is a guy here that tows a sailboat and couple other towing different things.

 

1) Five star frontal impact, no side results yet. The steering is electonically assisted, otherwise it is a rack and pinion set up. It's not like driving a car in a videogame with a steering wheel controller or anything.

2) It's not that bad in the snow. The factory tires suck in the snow, but the vehicle itself isn't that bad. I didn't quite get the last part but traction control isn't available without ABS.

3) There are a few different companies making hitches for the HHR. As far as personally towing anything I wouldn't do it myself. Besides I have nothing to tow.

 

I think if chevy really wanted you to tow with the HHR they would have made it so it was more than a 100lb towing capacity..

 

I think the towing capacity is under rated. Typical engineering..overkill. As an example, I had a cavilier as a daily driver with 1000 lbs towing capacity. I think it was 120 hp car. I pulled my Harley (625lbs) on a small trailer with no problems at all. I would guess the brakes and suspension are better on the H than any cavlier. I would not hesitate to pull your 4 wheeler. I am trying to coordinate getting a hitch installed. U-Haul has one, but has to be ordered and I'm on the road all the time. It will happen soon though. As a side note, I just turned 21,500 miles on mine and no drive train problems. the question regarding snow is a good one. I slipped the other day taking off in water and didn't like the feel of the traction I got. Can anyone add any comments on winter driving?

 

Just drove in my first snow with the HHR. We got about six inches yesterday. It did fine. Drives like any other front wheel drive car. No problem with the unplowed roads in the morning.

 

I believe if you were to ask anyone on this forum who owns and drives an HHR, would you buy another one if you had it to do over? 99.9% would answer you yes. I love mine and can't wait to see what the 2007 looks like.

 

There is at least one person here who did buy another after theirs got totalled.