Best/Worst A/C Performance in a car?

[Nick1994]

What’s some of your guys’ experience with some cars as to the best A/C and the worst? And by worst, I mean in a car that it should have properly functioning A/C, it just sucks.

For me the best is my 2018 Genesis G80, though that’s when it is working properly. Having trouble with it off and on recently. But when it does work, it blows great and gets ice cold.

The worst had to be years ago my grandma had a 2011 Honda CR-V, it would cut out with higher RPMs but in general could not keep up with our extreme climate here in Phoenix.

An honorable mention to my previous 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee. I had it recharged by weight at my mechanic, it worked properly but it just didn’t move enough air to be a top performer.

 

[eljefino]

1999 XJ Cherokee, not even with tinted windows. Blew like a freezer.

 

[andrew_j]

2015 Pilot has strong AC front middle back.

The best was my 1988 Jetta. It was a freezing even with temps above 125F.

 

[macarose]

Here's a surprise. 1994 Toyota Camry.

The A/C was absolutely arctic and perfect. I have probably experienced better ones over the years, but the Camry I owned from new to 2006-ish was an amazing vehicle.

When I was working five to seven auctions a week, I would sweat a lot. Atlanta is hellishly hot from late spring to the early fall and the humidity just makes it worse.

That Camry was the one vehicle where I could feel normal after taking off my sweated clothes, wiping off the excess sweat, putting on new clothes and driving off to the next sale.

Bought dozens of similar gen models since then as an auctioneer and car dealer. When the A/C is maintained correctly they are absolutely fantastic.

 

[Nick1994]

Here's a surprise. 1994 Toyota Camry.

The A/C was absolutely arctic and perfect. I have probably experienced better ones over the years, but the Camry I owned from new to 2006-ish was an amazing vehicle.

When I was working five to seven auctions a week, I would sweat a lot. Atlanta is hellishly hot from late spring to the early fall and the humidity just makes it worse.

That Camry was the one vehicle where I could feel normal after taking off my sweated clothes, wiping off the excess sweat, putting on new clothes and driving off to the next sale.

Bought dozens of similar gen models since then as an auctioneer and car dealer. When the A/C is maintained correctly they are absolutely fantastic.

I can’t believe I forgot about my Camry! 2000 Camry 2.2L, my brother owns it now. It’s been sitting since November, I went out and moved it a month or two ago and the A/C still blows ice cold. Blows like a wind storm too. Never touched the A/C system and I bought it 10 years ago. 258k miles.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

I had a 2018 Forester that went back to the dealer 7 times under warranty for the AC failing. Even when it worked, it wasn't great.

1999 XJ Cherokee, not even with tinted windows. Blew like a freezer.

A long time ago when mine had AC in it, I was rock crawling in PA and it was 95 degrees out. My friend and I were DYING inside. Then I remembered about 5 hours in that it had ice cold AC. It was quite nice after that! When it had AC, it was nice. Unfortunately the AC compressor failed and I never put it back on.

 

[mclasser]

Best: Old 2002 Infiniti I35 and current 2018 Elantra. The variable displacement compressors might have something to do with this. No muggy lapses of a cycling clutch system.

Good: Current 2025 Lyriq. Cranking the A/C does noticeably sap battery charge, though.

Average: Hondas -- old 2002 Accord & current 2013 Pilot

Bad: Haven't experienced any truly terrible ones yet.

 

[Chris142]

Best I have seen is a 1992 ish town car. Things will freeze you out even after being retrofitted to r 134a.

Runner up for worst is my 02 jeep. It's never been good ... Black top with no insulation absolutely bakes the interior and the big windows don't help. Now with over 200 k on it I'm sure the evaporator is partially plugged externally with dirt and whatever else so it's volume suffers.

Absolutely the worst is a motorhome on a workhorse chassis. They don't work when new. Workhorse used the wrong style of condenser and nothing short of replacing that will help

 

[dishdude]

I hate to speak in generalizations, but the Asian vehicles I've driven seem to have the weakest A/C, American cars seem to be the coldest. Even the modest Envista rental I am driving now will freeze me out (which should probably be considered Asian lol).

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

330 (E46) followed by early 2000's Mercedes C-class coupes were the worst.

My 89 Jeep Wagoneer was the best.

 

[Nick1994]

Best I have seen is a 1992 ish town car. Things will freeze you out even after being retrofitted to r 134a.

Runner up for worst is my 02 jeep. It's never been good ... Black top with no insulation absolutely bakes the interior and the big windows don't help. Now with over 200 k on it I'm sure the evaporator is partially plugged externally with dirt and whatever else so it's volume suffers.

Absolutely the worst is a motorhome on a workhorse chassis. They don't work when new. Workhorse used the wrong style of condenser and nothing short of replacing that will help

My ‘96 Jeep is decent. When it sits in the sun all day and the dash is molten hot lava, it takes a long time to cool. Plus radiant heat through the rest of it makes you feel warm.

I park in a garage at work, so leaving work in it is pretty nice.

 

[JimPghPA]

My 1985 Olds Delta 88 Royale coupe blew ice cubes. The windshield would get condensation outside and I had to use the wipers to clear it. The keys would get sooooooo cold that they would get condensation on them when I got out of the car and let them dangle.

Man, the R12 system in that thing really put it out big time.

 

[Chris142]

My ‘96 Jeep is decent. When it sits in the sun all day and the dash is molten hot lava, it takes a long time to cool. Plus radiant heat through the rest of it makes you feel warm.

I park in a garage at work, so leaving work in it is pretty nice.

Mine has to sit directly in the sun in the alley behind my work. It's common to see 160F inside when I leave if I leave the windows cracked a little. 180F if I forget and leave them up.

 

[pbm]

I've owned a good number of cars. The best A/C system I remember in a car bought new was my brother's new 1988 VW Jetta...you could hang meat in that car (it did have other issues). I think the worst performing A/C was in my (bought new) 1988 Mazda 626 with a manual transmission. It was OK but not great...but I still bought a few more new Mazda's over the years because they are very good vehicles....generally speaking.

 

[97prizm]

What’s some of your guys’ experience with some cars as to the best A/C and the worst? And by worst, I mean in a car that it should have properly functioning A/C, it just sucks.

For me the best is my 2018 Genesis G80, though that’s when it is working properly. Having trouble with it off and on recently. But when it does work, it blows great and gets ice cold.

The worst had to be years ago my grandma had a 2011 Honda CR-V, it would cut out with higher RPMs but in general could not keep up with our extreme climate here in Phoenix.

An honorable mention to my previous 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee. I had it recharged by weight at my mechanic, it worked properly but it just didn’t move enough air to be a top performer.

My friend had an early ford ranger an 88 I think then later a 2000 Ford Ranger and it was so cold I think you could make snow with it. My parents purchased a Subaru Impreza and they say it's cool but not ice cold. I'd taken it to another dealership after the first one tried twice to no avail. My friends step dad had the Non-Turbo Nissan 300zx and he said the A/C wasn't really up to the task of the heat in the American southwest. According to him Nissan didn't do much testing in extreme weather conditions. It sounds like coastal Japan where it was built doesn't get too terribly hot.

 

[clinebarger]

I hate to speak in generalizations, but the Asian vehicles I've driven seem to have the weakest A/C, American cars seem to be the coldest. Even the modest Envista rental I am driving now will freeze me out (which should probably be considered Asian lol).

I agree, Though the Lexus LS & later Avalon's do okay. My wife's Honda Odyssey is barely adequate above 95° with a new compressor, condenser, OE expansion valves & proper charge.

My 2019 Yukon XL has the best AC performance of a vehicle I've owed. My 2001 Camaro does really, really well for it being black with T-tops & no window tint.
GMT800 trucks do well with electric fans.....10th & 11th gen F150's are also good.

 

[JohnB5656]

1972 Mercedes 250C. York compressor. Other drivers would notice frost/vapor coming out of the dash vents. Ice would form on the plastic air discharge vanes. Believe on this model Mercedes AC systems were dealer installed.

 

[clinebarger]

My friend had an early ford ranger an 88 I think then later a 2000 Ford Ranger and it was so cold I think you could make snow with it. My parents purchased a Subaru Impreza and they say it's cool but not ice cold. I'd taken it to another dealership after the first one tried twice to no avail. My friends step dad had the Non-Turbo Nissan 300zx and he said the A/C wasn't really up to the task of the heat in the American southwest. According to him Nissan didn't do much testing in extreme weather conditions. It sounds like coastal Japan where it was built doesn't get too terribly hot.

When I worked as a GM tech....We would get Geo/Chevrolet Trackers in with AC performance complaints & there was noting to be done as the system was simply inadequate. I remember the later Geo/Chevrolet Prizm had all GM/Harrison AC hardware instead of Toyota/Denso & they performed much better than their Toyota Corolla counterparts.

Fords in general not only cool well....But last beyond 200,000 miles in most cases. GM Harrison H series compressors were good for around 10 years/100,000 before leaking.

 

[4WD]

I agree, Though the Lexus LS & later Avalon's do okay. My wife's Honda Odyssey is barely adequate above 95° with a new compressor, condenser, OE expansion valves & proper charge.

My 2019 Yukon XL has the best AC performance of a vehicle I've owed. My 2001 Camaro does really, really well for it being black with T-tops & no window tint.
GMT800 trucks do well with electric fans.....10th & 11th gen F150's are also good.

I’m seeing the same owning two Tahoes, a Lexus, and a Jeep …

 

[wwillson]

2002 Chevy Suburban, that thing blew the coldest air I've ever seen.