Interior Comfort
Key Points: • Ample headroom• Height-adjustable front bucket seats with fold-down armrests
• Power driver’s seat with lumbar on LT
• Rear 60/40 split bench seat
• Heated seats and leather upholstery optional on LT
From a comfort perspective, the 2006 Chevrolet HHR gets a passing grade, if not high marks. The front buckets feature flat bottom and back cushions with nary a bit of bolstering. However, the seats are ample with supportive cushioning, rendering them fairly comfortable, and LT models benefit from standard power adjustments, including lumbar. LS models make do with manual height adjustment for the driver. Door armrests are rubberized and thinly padded, while fold-down center armrests are well padded. A tilt-steering wheel, unfortunately wrapped with spongy plastic rather than leather, rounds out the driver’s accoutrements. Drivers will find visibility hindered by thick A- and D-pillars, small windows, and large rear headrests. Sizeable exterior mirrors serve to offset these deficiencies somewhat.
Rear seat passengers are afforded the same flat cushioning as their forward counterparts, though there’s a nicely set recline position and the bench is firm enough to be supportive, yet soft enough to be comfortable. Large, adjustable headrests are provided for outboard passengers only, and a center armrest is not available. Head and foot room are generous, though taller riders will likely be scuffing their knees on the hard front seatbacks.
Getting in and out of the 2006 Chevrolet HHR is aided by doors that open wide, while the tall front seats and rear bench provide a suitably comfortable hip point. Once planted and underway, the HHR’s occupants are subjected to a bit of wind noise at speed, and the unruly raucous nature of the engine when the throttle is pinned for maximum passing power.