2006 Chevrolet HHR

Nobody looking at Chevy's new HHR (for Heritage High Roof) miniwagon will be surprised to learn that Bryan Nesbitt, creator of the Chrysler PT Cruiser, had a hand in its design. So faithful is this reinterpretation that we half expected the executives unveiling it to congratulate themselves on saving shareholders millions of dollars in innovation expenses by simply copying a good design (proving they'd learned a thing or two doing business in China).

It's all here: movable rear package shelf with bag hooks on the bottom, flat-folding rear and front-passenger seats, ball-shifter knob, power window switches in the center console, and general proportioning, look, and feel of the interior and exterior. There's sufficient deviation to prevent lawsuits (the PT Cruiser doesn't have runningboards)--but this doesn't necessarily improve the Chevy. Despite riding on virtually the same wheelbase as the PT and stretching 5.7 inches longer, mostly in the rear overhang, maximum cargo space is close to the PT's 64.2 cubic feet. That's probably because the HHR's rear seats don't come out, and its rear deck is higher.

Power will come from one of two Ecotec 16-valve four-cylinders, pumping 2.2 or 2.4 liters. The base engine rates 145 horses and 150 pound-feet (five and 15 down from the PT's base 2.4), while the uplevel plant is good for 170 and 170--10 horses and 40 pound-feet shy of the PT's turbo. Transmissions include a five-speed manual and four-speed automatic. The HHR is built on GM's new front-drive Delta platform (Chevy Cobalt, Saturn Ion), on 16- or 17-inch wheels and tires, with an optional sport suspension package. Expect decent ride and handling, which may help to compensate for other shortcomings.

HHRs will be served in LS or LT models, with the latter subdivided into two trim packages. We can't imagine HHRs bringing much of a premium over PT Cruisers, so expect base prices in the $14,000 to $18,000 range. The HHR is four years late to a party starting to break up in Chrysler showrooms, so don't pay over sticker for one.