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2008 Chevrolet HHR Safety Review

July 23, 2008

SAFETY | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Five stars, front and side impact protection; four stars, rollover resistance
NHTSA

side curtain airbags are optional
Cars.com

impressive outward visibility
Edmunds

The 2008 Chevrolet HHR gets better-than-average crash-test scores and comes with a good list of standard safety equipment.

Although the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) did not run the 2008 Chevrolet HHR through its own crash tests, the vehicle performed admirably in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) crash tests, earning five stars for impact protection and four for rollover resistance.

Stability control and OnStar are now standard on all Chevy HHRs, Car and Driver reports. According to Cars.com, "standard SS safety features include antilock brakes and an electronic stability system," while "side curtain airbags are optional."

Edmunds reports higher trim levels offer more options: "traction control is included with ABS when ordered with an automatic transmission, and is standard on all 2LT vehicles, as is this year's new addition of stability control."

We note some disagreement on Chevrolet HHR 2008 visibility issues, however. While Edmunds commends the "impressive outward visibility for the regular wagon models," Cars.com says "something HHR drivers battle that isn't an issue in many other cars is forward visibility. This wagon's unique shape dictates a relatively short windshield, which in turn leads to windshield pillars -- which are wide to begin with -- that get in the way when checking for cross traffic or pedestrians." This source does note that Chevrolet HHR 2008 "rear- and over-shoulder visibility, however, is good." The panel-wagon version, which omits rear side windows, has terrible rearward visibility and is intended as a work vehicle.

Conclusion

The 2008 Chevrolet HHR has good crash-test scores, but some versions don’t provide all the latest safety gear.

SAFETY | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:Five stars, front and side impact protection; four stars, rollover resistanceNHTSAside curtain airbags are optionalCars.comimpressive outward visibilityEdmunds The 2008 Chevrolet HHR gets better-than-average crash-test scores and comes with a good list of standard safety equipment. Although the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) did not run the 2008 Chevrolet HHR through its own crash tests, the vehicle performed admirably in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) crash tests, earning five stars for impact protection and four for rollover resistance. Stability control and OnStar are now standard on all Chevy HHRs, Car and Driver reports. According to Cars.com, "standard SS safety features include antilock brakes and an electronic stability system," while "side curtain airbags are optional." Edmunds reports higher trim levels offer more options: "traction control is included with ABS when ordered with an automatic transmission, and is standard on all 2LT vehicles, as is this year's new addition of stability control." We note some disagreement on Chevrolet HHR 2008 visibility issues, however. While Edmunds commends the "impressive outward visibility for the regular wagon models," Cars.com says "something HHR drivers battle that isn't an issue in many other cars is forward visibility. This wagon's unique shape dictates a relatively short windshield, which in turn leads to windshield pillars -- which are wide to begin with -- that get in the way when checking for cross traffic or pedestrians." This source does note that Chevrolet HHR 2008 "rear- and over-shoulder visibility, however, is good." The panel-wagon version, which omits rear side windows, has terrible rearward visibility and is intended as a work vehicle. ConclusionThe 2008 Chevrolet HHR has good crash-test scores, but some versions don’t provide all the latest safety gear.  2008 CHEVROLET HHR STYLING | [8 out of 10] Automobile: "pleasingly rounded styling" Kelley Blue Book: "retro style backed with substance" Edmunds: "Attractive and functional... handsome bright-ringed gauges" The 2008 Chevrolet HHR features some very appealing retro styling that’s ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

While the 2008 Chevrolet HHR owes its styling cues to the Chevrolet Suburban from the 1940s, there's no retro technology hiding under its fenders. The Chevy HHR, especially with the direct-injection turbo engine of the SS edition, is a modern vehicle. But don't forget--the Chevrolet HHR is a low-priced compact that competes with all kinds of vehicles, from regular sedans to the obvious competitors noted here.

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See the Chevrolet HHR in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006

Comments (1 total)

  1. By  Joe #1, Posted: 7/23/2009

    What do you think I should put on my 07 Silverado? I was thinking maybe some chrome inserts. What do you think?

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