Bob&Pat

Hi everyone,

Drove a 2.4 L HHR 2LT with the sport suspension on Friday and Monday I drove a 2.2 L HHR 1LT with the touring suspension, and drove another 2.4 L HHR 2LT with the sport suspension and for us the touring suspension gives us the ride we prefer with the all seasons factory standard 16” wheels and tires.

What surprised me was that I thought we wanted the 2.4 L with more horsepower, however we found the 2.2 L with less horsepower was more responsive and peppier. Maybe a better description is as I depressed the gas pedal of the 2.4 I felt a hesitation before acceleration, kind of like it was bogging down a little. I did not feel that same hesitation in the 2.2. Pat said she felt the same thing about the 2.4 as a driver and a passenger.

It has been suggested that maybe the 2.4's, with the stiffer suspension, gives the impression of not being as responsive. Also suggested that the dealer may have put 87 octane instead of the recommended preium. Not sure what it was but we are happy with the 2.2 L engine.

Tuesday, we ordered 2008 LT 1LT Touring suspension, with the standard 2.2 L engine, Sandstone Metallic, Cashmere Leather Seating Surfaces, Sunroof, Running boards, and the 4-speed automatic Transmission. We will save $580 with the 2.2 L.

We have and really like our Sunfire and it works very well as a “toad” and tows four wheels down very well behind our motorhome. Our Sunfire has the 2.2 L engine and is very responsive and is a peppy little car. The reason we are trading is that Pat really-really likes the Chevy HHR ever since the first time she saw it in 2006, so we are ordering a new 2008 HHR.

Has any one else experienced that the 2.4 is less responsive than the 2.2 L??

Bob

SandyBeach

Welcome to the board and to the HHR family. Sounds like you'll be as happy with your purchase as many of us are. You ordered almost the exact same car as mine. I do have roof racks, the premium stereo with XM radio, and it's an '06. I had few choices available but the color is really growing on me. You can't tell when it's dirty!

Lone Ranger

I have a 2.2L that runs pretty strong. While the 2.4 does have more torque and horsepower, the gear ratio is a little taller so the power is spread out more.

courthousedeb

I'm very pleased with my 2.2L and experienced what you are talking about when I test drove the HHR. First one I drove was a 2.4L automatic and it was great...but when I drove the 2.2L 5 speed, I knew that's what I wanted. It also helped that it was the color I wanted too which is Sunburst Orange.

JESSE

I love my 2.4. Especially since I got that HP tune! No lag, great response.

an08HHR

Welcome Pat and Bob, (I always put the lady's name first) You have actually helped me answer my questions also on which one to buy. I had decided to wait until Spring to buy an 08 but I wasn't sure what engine I wanted. Did figure the touring suspension was the way to go for me and after reading about all I could on both engines, 0 to 60 about the same, GM really recommends 91Octane on the 2.4 and the 2.2 is rated 2mpg better on the Highway, I have decided after your post to save $650 (2.4 MSRP) and go also with the 2.2. Hope you ordered it with fog light. Factory fogs really make a huge difference when driving at night or in snowy weather. I'm in that Ohio snow belt which I'm sure you know about. Fell in love with the HHR before they were made and have been waiting ever since. Was told many years ago to never buy the first yr of a new model, let them get some of the bugs out and get one a yr or 2 later.

hhrcrafty

The 2.2 has really improved over the last couple of years. When I bought my HHR, the Gen I Ecotec was the 2.2 engine and the Gen II was the 2.4. I found that the noise factor and power band were better with the 2.4 at the time, so that's what I looked for. The new 2.2 in the 2007.5 and 2008 cars uses the Gen II block and shares almost everything but the VVT and displacement with the 2.4 and is a much improved mill for noise, vibration, and harshness.

The gearing is slightly different with the 2.4 and that may be why you're thinking the 2.2 is quicker off the line or more responsive.

Bob&Pat

Thanks everyone for your posts.

We did not order the Fog Lights ($115.00msrp) we have the Fog Lights on the 2005 Sunfire we are selling or trading in if it does not sell first.
We also have the Fog Lights on our GMC Yukon XL and we never use the Fog Lights on either one of them.

The new HHR will take several weeks. Pat really-really likes the Chevy HHR and it is growing on me.

The Sandstone Metallic will go very well the our motorhome colors.

solman98

Everything I have read or seen state the 2.2 and the 2.4 share the same block. That has been the same each year. Electronics/tuning changed to increase HP. Block itself did not change. Gearing for the auto is the same with each motor. Same as with the 5speed. They use the same tranny (SS 5 speed not included).

Transmissions

Type:
F23 5-speed manual / Hydra-Matic 4T45-E 4-speed automatic

Gear ratios: (:1):

First:
3.58 / 2.95

Second:
2.02 / 1.62

Third:
1.35 / 1.00

Fourth:
0.98 / 0.68

Fifth:
0.69
–

Reverse:
3.31 / 2.14

Final drive ratio:
4.17:1 / 3.91:1

The 2.2's peak HP comes in at 5600 rpm verses the 2.4 6200 rpm. The tq rating for the 2.2 also comes in sooner at 150@4000 verses 162@5000. That can explain the differance you felt. This also shows why the preformance numbers for the 2.2 5speed and 2.4 auto are extremely close.

Unless you can find me any referance to show differance.....

hhrcrafty

The block DID change in 2007 on the 2.2. They went to the reinforced Gen II block used on the LE5 and LNF, along with COP ignition and a new PCM. I don't have a source you can look up online, but that is what I know from some "other" sources.

There are also some different components in the transmission between the two engines.