I am in the process of getting an HHR and had my mind all set on an SS because I have a V-8 truck now and wanted to keep some of the power I now have and still get better mileage. My question is this. I know the 2.2 has about 149 HP and the 2.4 is 172, but for those that have driven them both, is there a huge difference in performance? I have only driven the 2.0 Turbo SS and was VERY impressed so I was curious what everyone thought of the smaller engines in the HHR's.

Thanks in advance.

 

So why not get the SS and have power AND good mileage? Yours is a great question, though, having just gotten the 2.2 for my wife I wonder if the 2.4 would have been better but then I/we would have had to buy other stuff to get that 2.4.

 

What type of V8 truck do you have now. Check th 0-60 and 1320 times and compare 2.2, 2.4, 2.0T. You know what I picked. Also would you get a manual or auto. I would STRONGLY suggest the manual. You will get better control of your fuel mileage (if you care about that) and more power (i know you care about that). Drive the SS like a 2.2, and you will get the same mileage, drive it like a vette an you will get a lot of tickets.

 

I've driven both. In day to day "on the street" driving, you will probalby not notice much difference. Where I notice it is in freeway driving, which I have to do every day. At freeway speeds, accelerating is just plain better. You do have to use premium in the 2.4 to get the most out of it. We jumped from 24.7 mpg to 26.7 by using premium, which for me is about $100 per year cheaper at the prices we're paying today. My average mileage is a mix of city and freeway, and I drive it pretty hard to. I haven't been able to get a read on "straight freeway" yet. We're taking a short trip next week and I'll check it then.

So for me, the 2.4 is the better choice. What we really wanted was the other features of the 2LT, so we ended up with the 2.4, but I'm sure we would have been happy with the 2.2.

 

Cleveland, When you are done messing with the V-8 trucks I have a couple V-10s waiting for you in s.e. Michigan. Doc, That was excellent info comparing the 2.2 with the 2.4. Does GM require higher octane for the 2.4 or did you just find it works better or both?

 

I drove a 2.4 and then a 2.2 and did not feel any big diference. Sence they had a new 08 LT with the options the wife wanted I bought it...Have had no problem passing slower trafic on my way to Columbus, peppy enough for me, but the new exhaust and cold air kit will mmake it a little better.

 

I test drove all 3 when i was shopping around.

2.2 - It was ok, but a bit sluggish. Took it on the expressway and it took me a little while to get up to speed and all that. Just seemed like i was stuck in mud if you know what i mean.

2.4 - I liked it a lot better. I noticed a hugh difference in acceleration, highway merging, passing, all that. Like it doesn't feel like an underpowered engine. We also have an aveo, and the 2.2 reminded me of that, like putting the pedal to the floor just to get on the highway. Premium is not required for this at all. Some people report better mileage with it, but others report no change, or not enough of a change to justify 20 to 30 cents more a gallon.

SS - I LOVED the SS. Love punching the gas and just flying with it, had to up to 80 on the back country roads in no time. My wife liked it a lot to and she doesn;'t normally go fast but had it flying around town. HOWEVER, we didn't get the SS because the price would have been like 3 grand more, plus the insurance on it would have increased by like 20%. Add that in with the fact that the SS says use premium right on the fuel door. That was the deal breaker. Dropping 3 grand more, plus 20% more in insurance, plus premium, plus slightly (yeah i know very slight) lower mileage. It just wasn't going to do it for me. loved it's ride and i love the speed, but the cost wasn't going to happen.

 

oh and plus, if you add the 2LT package instead of just upgrading the engine, it pretty much covered most of the options we wanted. If we added all of the options we wanted, it would have came our to cost more.

So along with getting the 2.4L engine, you get the premium sound package, chrome package, 4 wheel ABS (the deal locker for me), exhaust tip and i can't remember what else. But if we added that all to a 2.2L it costs more and would be so hard to find exactly like i wanted.

 

Both of these posts describe the differences very well.

 

thanks, that was a great comparison..

You mentioned your insurance will go up... I checked the SS and the 2LT and the insurance was exactly the same..

It doesn't look like an SS is in my plans now. The dealer just called and all 3 SS's that I wanted him to check are SOLD.

Oh well, 2LT loaded it will be..

JK