Safety and Storage Chevy has put extra effort into the HHR’s cargo system to increase volume and ease of storage. The front passenger seat folds flat, allowing long objects such as an eight-foot ladder or a kayak to extend from the closed liftgate to the dashboard.

Safety features on the 2006 Chevrolet HHR include standard dual front airbags, with side curtain airbags for both rows available as an option. The front seatbelts feature pre-tensioners that automatically tighten, and the center rear seat has a three-point shoulder harness. OnStar telematics, which can notify rescue personnel when the airbags deploy, is optional. Technology like brake assist and stability control, increasingly available on lower priced vehicles, is not offered on the HHR.

Chevy has put extra effort into the HHR’s cargo system to increase volume and ease of storage. The front passenger seat folds flat, allowing long objects such as an eight-foot ladder or a kayak to extend from the closed liftgate to the dashboard. Other features include a five-inch-deep, recessed bin below the cargo floor, the ability to mount the primary load floor two feet higher as a shelf, and two larger storage bins ahead of the load floor. Plus, the HHR features door pocket storage bins and cargo tie-downs. Though the HHR trails its main competitors in maximum cargo capacity, its innovations are appealing.

However, a true center storage console is missing. In its place are three cupholders; two for front seat passengers and one for rear seat riders, just like in a PT Cruiser. The glovebox, which is located in the center of the instrument panel, can accommodate a cell phone, wallets and other small items for stowage.