2010 Chevrolet HHR

The Chevrolet HHR is based on GM’s front-wheel drive Delta platform, which underpins a score of vehicles including the Chevrolet Cobalt, and the former Saturn Ion, Saturn Astra and Pontiac G5. Inside, there is seating for five and a flexible cargo management system that includes flat-folding rear and front passenger seatbacks, various storage bins, and a height-adjustable cargo panel. An LT Panel version is also offered and intended for use as a city delivery vehicle.
In its first year of sale, the HHR came powered in its base form by a 143 horsepower 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine, with a 2.4-liter version available on higher trim levels that rates in 172 horsepower. For 2007 output from the engines were bumped up to 149 horsepower and 175 horsepower, respectively. New features for 2008 added to the HHR's safety, including stability control, a tire pressure monitoring and OnStar. A new SS performance with a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine was added to the lineup for 2009. This particular model came with a 260 horsepower and 260 pound-feet output rating and thanks to driver-selectable performance features, such as the no-lift shift, the HHR SS achieved 0-60 mph performance in 6.3 seconds and covered the quarter-mile in 14.8 seconds at 98.5 mph. Variable valve timing was also added to the base 2.2-liter mill, and this saw output increase to 155 horsepower, up from 149 horses the previous year.
There were no major changes introduced for the 2010 Chevrolet HHR. The most efficient model is the 2.2-liter manual, which returns 22 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway. The SS model is surprisingly efficient, returning 21 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway.

2011 Ford Flex

The 2011 Ford Flex has angled its way into a rare phenomenon. Sales are increasing as it enters its third model year and as more SUV and wagon shoppers realize the square-jawed crossover is one of the best-riding, quickest vehicles available.
If the Flex’s collection of rectangles took you a while to warm to, you’re forgiven. It honestly doesn’t look like anything else on the showroom floor, save for a passing resemblance to a Range Rover. The cues are concept-car pure outside, with a rich-looking cabin standard on even the base $29,000 Flex. Borrowing from the MINI playbook, Ford lets you choose the roof color, mirror finishes, bigger wheels, and even a houndstooth-plaid interior. It’s as American as an old Ford Fairline, but Chanel-smart.

It’s just as pleasant to drive, a step up from the GM crossovers (Enclave, Acadia, Traverse) and even the winning Acura MDX. The Flex has a superior ride; a turbocharged V-6 engine whistles out more than 350 horsepower; and optional all-wheel drive has your back when winter’s at its worst. It’s possibly more comfortable than your living-room furniture, too, with soft but supportive front- and second-row buckets and a third-row seat that even adults will find
roomy.
The Flex is among the safest vehicles you can buy—and once it’s loaded with the new Titanium package, it’s every bit as luxurious as a Lincoln MKT, which shares all its running gear. It outpaces even the Range Rover with e-gear like real-time traffic and movie times, an in-car refrigerator, and second-row footrests for your most important passengers. It may sticker at an oxygen-free $55,000, but the Flex Platinum is missing only exotica like night vision and in-car satellite TV in its quest to out-feature every family car on the road.
Performance:The base Flex gives you a taste of handling goodness; the turbo V-6 version tosses in all that horsepower and a tight, composed feel.
Safety:The IIHS and NHTSA agree: The 2011 Ford Flex is among the safest vehicles on the road.