Test drove a 2.4, and this week dealer bringing in one with a 2.2 . Any idea which one is the best?

 

Welcome to the forum.
The question is, best for what? Reliability,fuel mileage,horsepower, or something else.
I have the SS with the 2.0, so I'll let someone else give their opinion.

 

I had the 2.2 in my cobalt(same platform), and the 2.4 in my first HHR. the engines are both "bulletproof" if maintained properly. they are almost identical partswise too... I liked the 2.4 better because it had a little more get up and go. the 2.2 will get you the best mileage but it is a slug if your looking for performance at all. its all about what you are looking for. If your hauling stuff all the time, the 2.4 would haul it easier... also the 2lt comes with the 2.4(usually) and comes with all the bells and whistles from the factory. the 2.2 or ls is less luxurious from the factory. anyhow:
I got no lower than 27-28mpgs with my cobalt(06 auto) and usually averaged over 30 with combined city/highway driving. My first HHR was a little less but still good and was averaging 27 or so combined.

I got 29 mpgs with the SS in one 70 mile trip which was 95% highway. but if I dont "drive it like I stole it" I get maybe 25 or 26 combined

 

As far as "better", they are basically the same. All Ecotec's are. You will get the same reliaiblity from either of them.

 

2.4

 

If you are buying an automatic, you want the 2.4 for sure. That's what I went for with my last HHR since it has a little more oomph to make up for the extra drive-train bits. It ran great the whole time I had it.

 

I'm well satisfied with the 2.2 in my 2007. It does have a five speed manual, though, which probably provides quite a boost in performance. Mileage is great, high twenties in the city, mid 30's for pure highway.

 

I have three HHR's 06 LS 2.2 auto,07 LS 2.2 5 speed, 07 2LT 2.4 auto they are all the same to my wife, daughter and myself. All in high 20s in town low to mid 30s highway. Myself driving the wife's on daughters they B---- when I take there car you made my mileage go down. Well I had to test it to make sure it was safe to drive !

 

2.0 is best. Screw the 2.2 and 2.4 :)

 

to the forum Joe, and good luck with your hunt!

As to which engine is best, that's a loaded question as you've no doubt seen. Like oneton above, I've got two of the 2.2's and a 2.4 in the fleet. Functionally they are pretty darn close, the 2.4 has a wee bit more grunt, but the 2.2's are, in my opinion, sweeter with more willingness to rev and a crisper response.

Of course the top of the heap is the 2.0 Turbo, but it comes with a higher price tag, and occasionally bouts of temperamentality.

The important thing is to find the best HHR your budget allows, with the equipment you want on it, and the engine deal will shake itself out.