The HHR is an interesting little vehicle. Compact and versatile, it’s available as a standard four-door, as a panel wagon without side glass, as a fleet rental car and now as a Super Sport, or SS, turbocharged 2.0 liter “tuner.” I’ve had the opportunity to drive them all. Because I enjoyed zipping around town and country in each of the first three versions, I couldn’t wait to get into the SS model. What a disappointment.

The basic HHR isn’t that stylish to begin with. Its rounded corners and bulging nose give it a dumpy, retro appearance right out of the 1950s. “It looks like a beer keg!” is the comment I got from my twenty-something daughters. But the HHR’s size and shape fairly scream “tune me!” And it’s plenty zippy even when equipped with the base, non-turbo Ecotec 2.2 liter (or optional 2.4L) engine.

I was really sold on the HHR after driving the panel version, a modern take on the iconic Chevy Suburban “pie wagons” of yesteryear. Put some big slicks on the back, flames on the mural-worthy side panels and nerf bars front and back, and you’ve got a pocket cruiser ready to take on the boulevard.

So what’s not to like about the SS Turbo? It’s blazing fast, to be sure, but the base model has no problem rocketing around corners or passing at highway speeds. The extra cost (and potential complications) of a turbocharger is really unnecessary. I also grew to resent the SS model’s IP (car-speak for instrument panel) setup with its tiny tachometer set into a larger speedo, which I found more distracting than helpful. Better to install an aftermarket tach on the dash top where it can be more easily seen when you’re busy throwing shifts.

And that 5-speed shifter was downright difficult to throw at all—too tight, too notchy, too out of position to be comfortable for drivers of any size (I checked by having other drivers test it out). Part of the problem is the seats Chevy puts into this “special” model. They offer little real support or holding power for drivers trying to stay centered in a vehicle capable of 3-G turns and power launches off the line,

So I’m disappointed that Chevy took a step in the right direction with its homely but lovable little HHR, but stopped short of producing a true “super sport” tuner with classic potential. The base model is certainly worth its entry price of $17,370. I would recommend buying this car, but save your money, skip the SS, add your own tach and nerf bars and maybe throw on a few flames, and go have some real fun with this rolling beer keg of a car.

Here's a rundown of the equipment:

Models: Seven HHR iterations to choose from, including LT, LS, SS, and Panel LT and LS.

Engine: 2.2 liter or 2.4 liter DOHC standard, except on SS model with 2.0 liter turbocharged direct-injection DOHC.

Wheels: 16 or 17-inch standard, depending on model, with 18-inch forged aluminum on SS.

NHTSA Safety Ratings: Five-star frontal, four-star rollover (not rated for side-impact crashes).

EPA Fuel Estimates: 21 city / 29 highway / 22 combined average.

--Michael Morris