This thread is about 2006 vs 2010 HHR differences. I summarized the year-to-year changes above. 2009 and 2010 are essentially the same, and the lighting and safety features on those cars make them different from the earlier ones. I personally don't see this as enough to justify the high cost of trading up from my 2007 2LT. The originator says he wants the "2010 version" of the 2LT he has, implying that he doesn't want the SS which was not available then. Unless he actually wants an SS after all, or money is no object, I would recommend he stay with the older car.

I don't really want to get into the dome light thing here. I participated in the dome light turnaround thread. My comment there was that I want to leave the original light alone, since I still want light when I have the rear hatch open. That's why I am augmenting the sunroof control instead. My only remaining question has to do with the location of the TWO rear dome lights on 2009+ vs the one rear light in 2006-08, and whether it would be desirable, or even feasible, to add yet another light and mimic the 3 dome lights of the later car.

 

"Yea, but those are the laminated chrome w/plastic underneath...I'll stick to my Hi-Polished mags..."

I am doing an on-the-road test to see how those plastic laminated wheels hold up in the real world on my '09 2LT. So far so good. That is, until I get the money to buy the MoonEyes Salt Flats wheels, then all bets are off.

One other thing that changed in '09-'10 was that the rear springs got stiffer and "bouncier" on the FE3 2LT suspension. If you buy an '09-'10, plan on getting some Cobalt SS rear springs. They ride and handle much better than the stock springs. Look much better too in regards to stance.

 

There is one change between the 2006 and 2007 years.
The Daytime Running Lights went from Amber/Part of the running lights, to a Headlight kind of light in the bucket with the headlights. That is the only way I can think of telling the two apart.

 

Just one thing about the stereo upgrades over the years. The usb is nice, the Ipod thing is nice, Fact is...is you have an 06 like I do, and like it...keep it. Alpine headunit, 120 gig Ipod= $400..new car, way more than that. If you own an 06, you have the original!!
Todd (Uma)

 

If I had lots of music I would by a portable hard drive.. I mean you could by a TB of space and never listen to the same song twice for months if not years.. You could wire it in from the back and no one would know that its there..

 

Thanks for all the comments. This will be our second HHR. Our 2006 has 43K miles on it and no issues to date. We are selling our 2009 Toyota Matrix to our daughter so I was wondering what changes to expect. I do see the power window buttons have moved to the armrest. That is a welcome change. I am looking forward to participating on this forum and learning more about my 2010 2LT and possible accessories and little unknown surprises that all new vehicles seem to have.

 

How does the bluetooth work? Do you somehow connect your cell phone to it? Is that difficult?

 

Works with the majority of new phones and it takes only a few minutes to pair the phone to the bluetooth. Check your phone in the tools option. If it says bluetooth you are good to go. Not all HHR models have it so you have to look at the sticker.

 

Allex, I just brought home my new 2010 HHR 1LT and cannot get the usb port to read my flash drive. What brand are you using? My files are MPEG-4. Is that a problem? Do they need to be MP3 or WMA? I have a 4GB SanDisk that it is not reading. Any help would be appreciated. Other than that I love my new HHR -- now with 58 miles :)

 

Tuscon I looked here
https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/general-hhr-4/online-owners-manual-3074/
And while only up to 09 manual are listed. The details re the usb are there. Unfortunately copy /past didn't play nice with the PDF