Power wagon: Chevy HHR SS spells speedy

Review |

If there were ever a car to make you long for summer evenings, picnics and drives to the lake, it's the 2008 Chevrolet HHR SS.

Particularly if you drive really fast to the lake and appreciate value and fuel economy.

The HHR SS is the amped-up performance model of Chevrolet's compact retro wagon. It's a beach party on wheels that delivers kick-in-the-pants power (260 horses) at a bargain price (starting at $22,375). The combination of funky looks, value and performance make the HHR SS my favorite among current sport compacts.

It's a spiritual successor to the surf wagons of yore, but with infinitely better handling and a 100,000-mile warranty on its high-output powertrain.

I tested a well-equipped HHR SS with the manual transmission and a limited-slip differential that virtually eliminates torque steer. It stickered at $25,604.

The HHR SS competes with sporty compacts such as the Dodge Caliber SRT4, Honda Civic Si sedan, Mazdaspeed 3 and Volkswagen GTI.

The Honda, Mazda and VW beat the HHR SS handily on interior look and feel, but none can match its overall package of power, performance and value.

The Civic Si and GTI share the HHR SS' clingy handling, good steering response and excellent brakes, but at 197 and 200 horsepower, respectively, neither approaches its brute force.

The Mazdaspeed 3 and Caliber SRT4 have the power, at 263 and 285 horses, respectively, but rampant torque steer makes both more work than play when driven hard.

The HHR SS also stacks up well in fuel economy. Its EPA ratings essentially match the GTI and Civic Si and beat the Mazda and Dodge. All, however, require premium gas.

I drove an HHR SS from Detroit to Chicago and got 27 mpg on a long, fast highway run.

The HHR did well on twisting roads. The steering provided excellent feel and response, and the sport-tuned suspension kept it flat and composed in high-speed curves.

The turbocharged engine revs freely and provides excellent power in all ranges. The manual transmission operates smoothly and the light clutch pedal won't exhaust your leg in stop-and-go city conditions.

The HHR SS is so stable and quick, it's easy to lose track of your speed, if you have the optional 260-watt Pioneer stereo cranked. Otherwise, the cabin suffers much road noise.

The interior offers the room and flexibility that helped make the HHR popular and adds sporty touches like a turbo boost gauge on the A-pillar.

Optional sport seats provide good support and comfort. They come in three color combinations and feature leather trim, mesh neoprene and suede. Color-matched leather door inserts look good but don't make up for the HHR's hard armrests and some other hard plastic trim pieces.

Despite some minor shortcomings, the HHR SS is a blast, and worth considering for anybody seeking an affordable sporty compact.