2012 & 2013 Chevrolet Wagon Reviews & Ratings

American GM brand Chevrolet hasn't always been known for its wagon models. In fact, the sporty Chevrolet coupe "muscle" cars, subcompact wonders, and powerful Chevy pickups usually are the go-to models for Chevy lovers. Although models like the 1955 Chevy Beauville wagon and the Chevrolet Nomad wagon (produced off and on from 1955 to 1972) showed the company could build a great wagon, none of them really stuck around for too long compared to some of Chevy's other vehicles. In 2006,... (full review continues below)

American GM brand Chevrolet hasn't always been known for its wagon models. In fact, the sporty Chevrolet coupe "muscle" cars, subcompact wonders, and powerful Chevy pickups usually are the go-to models for Chevy lovers. Although models like the 1955 Chevy Beauville wagon and the Chevrolet Nomad wagon (produced off and on from 1955 to 1972) showed the company could build a great wagon, none of them really stuck around for too long compared to some of Chevy's other vehicles. In 2006, the Chevrolet HHR (Heritage High Roof), which is retro-styled much like Chrysler's PT Cruiser, was introduced as a return to the wagon and to a vehicle inspired by Chevrolet's beloved 1949 Chevy Suburban. Since the PT Cruiser's run is now over, the HHR and the HHR Panel Wagon fill in the gaps for consumers looking for small, practical vehicles with a distinctive look. Both of these vehicles were last produced in 2011.

The 2011 HHR wagon has a starting price of $18,720 and comes in three trims, LS,1LT, and 2LT as well as the separate Panel LS model (which comes in LS only and has a starting MSRP of $19,590). For the 2011 year, the SS trim was dropped, but the wagon, in general, remained unchanged. Its comfortable ride, impressive fuel economy, and surprisingly roomy interior are still very much intact. Specifically, the HHR offers 57.7 cubic feet of storage space and twenty-four different configurations and fuel economy numbers of 22 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway. That being said, it does face some pretty stiff competition from vehicles such as the Honda Fit, Mazda 3 five-door, the Scion xB, and the Nissan Cube. (The first of which could be called more refined as the last of which are less expensive than the HHR wagon). The 2011 HHR Panel wagon, for its part, competes with such vehicles as the Ford Transit Connect.

The 2011 Chevy HHR comes in its traditional four-or five-passenger wagon hatchback or the two-seat Panel model. The Panel wagon was designed with business owners in mind. Its 40-amp power compartment, windowless rear quarter panels and rear cargo doors, as well as compartments in the floor for storage are handy accessories for busy people on-the-go. Both of the HHR models come with such standard features as sixteen-inch steel wheels, cruise control, air-conditioning, keyless entry, fully-powered accessories a flat-folding front passenger seat, OnStar, and a 6-speaker MP3/CD audio system with Satellite radio and an audio jack. The standard HHR also contains a 60/50 split-folding rear seat as standard.

To ramp up the 2011 HHR, drivers can choose the 1LT package, which gets them body-colored mirrors, a power-adjustable driver's seat, and sixteen-inch alloy wheels. The 2LT trim adds a sport-tuned suspension, a bigger 4-cylinder engine, foglights, Bluetooth capability, seventeen-inch alloy wheels, a 7-speaker audio system from Pioneer (including a subwoofer), a leather-covered steering wheel featuring audio controls. There are a few options available for both LS models, but the LT models have many more, including leather, heated seating, remote ignition, a sunroof, USB and iPod connectivity, and a rearview camera.