The Chevrolet HHR does 24.8 mpg combined (21.5 city, 30.2 highway), which works out to about $1,548 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.7 mpg.
Every Chevrolet HHR engine, compared
The Chevrolet HHR was rated in a single specification, so its gas mileage does not vary by version — only by model year. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.2L 4-cyl | 21.5 / 30.2 | 2006–2011 | $1,548 |
What that actually costs
The Chevrolet HHR burns a gallon every 24.8 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 484 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.129 |
| Fuel per year | $1,548 |
| Fuel over five years | $7,740 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | +$54 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,517 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Chevrolet HHR gives up 8.7 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 30.2 out there against 21.5 in town, a 40% drop worth $514 a year. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 21.5 mpg | $1,786 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 30.2 mpg | $1,272 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +8.7 mpg (40%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the HHR changed over the years
The HHR peaked in 2011 at 26 mpg (22 city, 31 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2007 at 23 — 3 mpg apart, or $193 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2011 car does 26. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 22 / 31 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2010 | 22 / 32 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2009 | 22 / 32 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2008 | 22 / 30 | 1 | $1,536 | |
| 2007 | 20 / 28 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2006 | 21 / 28 | 1 | $1,670 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 6 EPA ratings of the Chevrolet HHR — 1 engine across 2006–2011. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $2,517. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Chevrolet HHR get?
24.8 mpg combined on average — 21.5 in the city and 30.2 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2006–2011.
How much does a Chevrolet HHR cost in fuel per year?
About $1,548 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $7,740 over five years, or 0.129 dollars a mile.
Which HHR engine is the most economical?
The 2.2L 4-cyl at 24.8 mpg.
Is the HHR good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.7 mpg, computed across 4765 ratings.
Are these real-world HHR figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Chevrolet HHR is $2,517 against the $1,548 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the city and highway figures is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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