2009 Chevrolet HHR

After years of watching the runaway success of Chrysler's PT Cruiser, GM decided to make a retro-themed ride of its own. Dubbed the HHR (for Heritage High Roof), Chevy's creation essentially takes the mechanicals from the Cobalt sedan, then wraps it in a body styled after a classic 1949 Suburban.

Whether your opinion on its styling, the HHR brings to Chevrolet something else the brand had long abandoned: a station wagon. Naturally, that spells a ton of extra space, and the HHR makes good use of it with a wealth of cubbyholes, a flat load floor, and a whopping 63 cubic foot cargo hold (with the seats folded). Passenger comfort is also enhanced over the Cobalt thanks to a much-needed boost in rear seat legroom, and the HHR's tall roof makes entry/exit easy for all. Things look more conventional from the driver's seat, as the HHR carries the same attractive, well-laid out controls and displays (and the same cheap plastics) found in most modern GM cars.

The HHR's driving experience, on the other hand, can't escape the feeling of a Cobalt with 400 extra pounds to haul around. It's generally a lazy, laid back affair replete with numb steering, mushy braking, and a soft suspension. The HHR's porky weight makes the 172-horsepower, 2.4-liter engine (available on LT models) a better choice than the 149-horsepower 2.2-liter, though gas mileage and noise levels aren't great either way. A third option is the seriously fast 260-horsepower turbo engine in the high-performance HHR SS.

Overall, the HHR is a solid small wagon, and one of the roomiest as well. But unless you find the styling irresistible, don't forget to check out more economical and reliable competitors like the Mazda 3 and Toyota Matrix, and the vastly more fun-to-drive Ford Focus.