What is the cost of cool?

How much are you willing to pay—both in terms of money and utility—for something that is arguably cooler than what’s being offered on a competitive basis?

For years, Apple products have been far cooler than those from other, competing companies.  If you were looking at a Mac and then happened to spot an ad for a Windows machine, you probably felt a sudden pain in your pocketbook.  But if you were dedicated to cool, that discomfort quickly subsides.  What’s more, although the Mac cost more, it provided a payback in the form of a superior user experience, so where there is the matter of money, there is also that utility.

The HHR Panel is no Mac.  It is, exterior-wise, very cool.  It is 1930s-gangster-meets-milktruck chic.  Or something like that.  Whatever it is, it isn’t what you ordinarily see.  The expansive panels on the sides where the windows used to be cry out for some serious aftermarket graphics.  But even unadorned, the vehicle has a presence that the windowed versions lack.  Very cool.

But there is the question of the money.  And the utility.  The model as Driven has an MSRP of $18,005.  That gives you a vehicle with a 175-hp 2.4-liter DOHC, speed-sensitive electric steering, eight-way power driver’s seat, and some other fundamental amenities.  Know well, however, that behind the two front seats there is a vast array of plastic.  There is no second row of seats.  But the vehicle as actually Driven had $5,549 worth of added options.  Like a four-speed automatic transmission.  Leather.  Upgraded audio.  A bright-chrome package.  That bright-chrome package, albeit an option, is something that should be on the list of each and every person who is at all interested in this vehicle.  It is a must.  And there are various other things, like a large cargo mat and color-keyed running boards.  All-in, the vehicle came to $24,144 (including $590 for destination).  A non-trivial number.

So let’s move to the utility.  In terms of drivability, there is a considerable compromise.  Those cool side panels form, in effect, 67-inch B-pillars.  You want to talk about blind spots?  Combine that with high window sills and consequently comparably small side windows and a window way in the back (it seems way back there, although the total length of the vehicle is 176.2 in.), and backing up or pulling out of a parking space becomes an exercise in nerve control.  So let’s figure who might find this to be the ride to have.  Given the cool factor, say a band.  One problem,  If the band has a drummer and the drummer has a full kit, then the bass would have to stay at home.  Maneuvering the tom-tom would be tricky: yes, there is the back hatch, but if the amps are back there, then the other access is via the rear side doors, that are hinged like ordinary doors.  Not great for accessibility.

Still, if you’re looking for cool, none of that really matters, because this is the ticket.  You could buy a Chevy Express full-size work van for about the same—it starts at $23,080--but while it has gobs of cargo room compared with the 62.7 cu. ft. of the HHR Panel—it just isn’t as cool.  And that, sometimes, counts.