2005 Chevrolet SSR Reviews, Pricing & Specs
Overview
The SSR retro pickup truck makes nostalgic hot rodders sigh. The lack of sales probably has the same effect on Chevrolet executives. The...
The SSR retro pickup truck makes nostalgic hot rodders sigh. The lack of sales probably has the same effect on Chevrolet executives. The Super Sport Roadster harkens back to the 50s bubble-fendered pickup trucks in form and to 60s muscle cars in name and performance.
This model year, Chevrolet added more "nostalgia" by swapping engines with a Corvette sourced, slightly detuned, 390-hp, LS2 6-liter V8. The Corvette Tremec six-speed manual becomes an option with a new four-speed automatic as standard issue. This blasts the 4,760-pound pickup to a 5.3 second 0-60 time. The SSR's underpinnings are SUV (TrailBlazer/Envoy) based. To add more "sport," Bilstein sport shocks and heavy-duty sway bars were ordered up. For 2005, a new steering system corrects the numbness of the initial offering. Along with modern traction control, the SSR does better than its 60s muscle car counterparts once the corners appear.
As for the "R" in SSR, the retractable hardtop sure attracts attention. Push the embossed SSR button, the roof lifts up, splits in two, and settles down into a nook behind the cab with the tonneau cover closing over it. However, the SSR reinforces that drop-top nostalgia with excessive top up wind noise and good old body shake and cowl shudder.
Under those blue skies lays an interior that reviewers unanimously criticized for lack of storage space. The leather bucket seats provide support with good legroom, but the windshield top ended up directly in the face of a 5'11" test driver.
With overall mileage from 12 to 18-mpg, lack of cockpit storage space, and a rather high price tag for a two-seat pickup truck, how practical is the SSR? One reviewer pointed out that as fun road trip roadster with a hardtop, the SSR with its 23.7 cubic-feet of carpeted bed space capped by a hard tonneau cover offered more space than any two seater out there. Another suggested adding a little more and getting a Corvette!
What owners say
"Owners of the 2005 Chevrolet SSR generally find it to be a fun, head-turning vehicle with impressive power and unique style. They particularly like the acceleration, performance, and the convertible hardtop feature. However, many also express concerns about its build quality, interior materials, and gas mileage, noting it's not the best option for those on a budget."
SSRs are very unique. The 2005 and 2006 models are the most desirable as they have the 395 HP LS2 Corvette engine. This is a 7,116 original miles car and it is near perfect.
August 5, 2021A true head turner! Get compliments all the time. They are still a bit pricey but worth every dime. Very good on gas, I was surprised to get near 20 mpg. A Great car!
November 22, 2021So much fun to drive!!! Also, it’s great watching people’s heads snap around while they are trying to figure out what the heck it is that you’re driving...and that 6.0 L rumble!
April 19, 2021What owners say
SSRs are very unique. The 2005 and 2006 models are the most desirable as they have the 395 HP LS2 Corvette engine. This is a 7,116 original miles car and it is near perfect.
August 5, 2021A true head turner! Get compliments all the time. They are still a bit pricey but worth every dime. Very good on gas, I was surprised to get near 20 mpg. A Great car!
November 22, 2021So much fun to drive!!! Also, it’s great watching people’s heads snap around while they are trying to figure out what the heck it is that you’re driving...and that 6.0 L rumble!
April 19, 2021Had one for two years. Love driving it out of town with the top down, widows up and AC running. Drove perfectly, excellent acceleration with great performance.
July 19, 2023The SSR is a true modern hot-rod. It is a whopping 6.0 liter V8 complete with navigation, and aluminum accents standard, you also get dual titanium exhaust out of the showroom. but there is a down side, how does 4500 pounds sound like?, yes though the truck puts out 450 horsepower, it weighs as much as a fully loaded workvan. With the option of traction control you can drift and slide in parking lots, or hang it all out on winding back country roads. This is a cool truck because Chevrolet only made 4000 a year for 3 years, making it a collectors item.
November 26, 2009This 2005 SSR with the 6 Speed manual transmision is a blast to drive. The convertible top drops with only a touch of the button. The top drops into its own storage hidden between the seats and the cargo area. the top does not take up any room in the cargo area at all. Modern day muscle car
July 9, 2014Acceleration=0-60 in 5.8 sec with 400hp. Braking & handling are very good. Build quality was not too good - several problems with doors, rattles, wind noise (probably due to retractable hardtop). People stop on the street to look at it. If you are worried about gas mileage, an SSR is not for you. Car is definitely fun to own & drive!
June 19, 2009This is a wonderful vehicle with pretty of appeal and power. A true head turner.
January 25, 2022The first time I saw this car at the North American International Autoshow I thought "what an ugly car"... Years later I still feel the same way, when it's curb-side and the top is up. Top down on the road... it has to be one of the best cars I have driven even (Lotus, Ferarri, Corvette, Jeep, VW, Audi, BMW, Benz...) from say Kansas City to Detroit. This particular color always turns additional heads that the car alone doesn't (very few). I don't like the cheap plastic-y feel that Chevy did with the interior. I do like the sound system however. The trunk area is spacious but not huge. All in all I really do like this car. It's a great ride through the country or along a river during the warm months. The exhaust notes are particularly enjoyable late at night on winding roads.
January 5, 2010The SSR has always been interesting and a unique niche model. I test drove a 2005 with an automatic and only 28K miles. It was reasonably quick, and the electronic hardtop convertible will always be a trick feature, but in general the economy car roots show through. As a body on frame, the truck underpinnings did not do well over bumpy roads. I could tell it would tend to wear out its welcome a few months down the road.
June 27, 2023Trims & specs
Base MSRP $43,180 | Seating 2 |
Engine 6.0L 395 hp V8 | Cargo Capacity N/A |
Combined MPG 16 | Drivetrain RWD |
