E36 328i has to be the worst I have owned. It was cold out of the vent but could never cool the car off if it got above 90s. I had it checked multiple times. It was just bad.
Best/Worst A/C Performance in a car?
- Thread starter Nick1994
- Start date
SammyChevelleTypeS3
$50 site donor 2023
Best = Honda
In between = Ford
Worse = General Motors
In between = Ford
Worse = General Motors
Nick1994
$100 site donor 2024
I have a family member that’s had a 2005 Tahoe for 20 years, it too is fantastic.
edyvw
$50 site donor 2025
BMW’s had AC designed for Bavaria. With E65 and later models it got dramatically better. In my E90 it works really good. That Max button (I think BMW introduced that in 1978 after that 7 series AC debacle ) really works well and it is convenient.
I always found American vehicles to have generally really well executed AC when it comes to performance.
I know it's a lot smaller of a car, but my M2's AC is really cold, even with no tint. My GX460, even recharged and with tint, is okay but doesn't freeze me out like the BMW. American cars, especially trucks/SUVs seem to be some of the best- I remember F-150 and Expeditions of the early 2000's that were like meat lockers.
the worst was Hyundai i10. can't keep up with hot and humid weather. Got to hear quite a bit of complaining about those back in the day.
the others I've had were all fine, I've toned down the MG A/C strategy as it's a bit much. In the engineering menu you can select how agressive it is, put it on the mildest setting for now.
the others I've had were all fine, I've toned down the MG A/C strategy as it's a bit much. In the engineering menu you can select how agressive it is, put it on the mildest setting for now.
From my ever-changing list of daily drivers the top 5 in AC performance are:
- 2000 Kia Sephia
- 2008 Infiniti EX35
- 1995 Honda Odyssey
- 2009 Honda Pilot
- 2001 Lexus IS300
Worst 5:
- 1993 Ford Ranger
- 1990 GMC Sierra
- 1978 Chevy Van
- 1995 Chevrolet Tahoe
- 2008 Pontiac Vibe
- 2000 Kia Sephia
- 2008 Infiniti EX35
- 1995 Honda Odyssey
- 2009 Honda Pilot
- 2001 Lexus IS300
Worst 5:
- 1993 Ford Ranger
- 1990 GMC Sierra
- 1978 Chevy Van
- 1995 Chevrolet Tahoe
- 2008 Pontiac Vibe
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Both the 335i and LS430 are 18.5 and 19.5 years old respectively, and both are freezing when using the AC over a 1 hour commute. Measured temps are around 43F out the vents when "freezing."
The 13 year old Buick Enclave, which I attempted to recharge myself, was not that cold. Doing the same test, it blew anywhere from 54F to 60F. There were times when it was hot and humid and I saw no condensation by the rear right wheel (when new there would be a huge puddle--I have observed this with other similar cars like the Acadia/Traverse). At the end of its life the AC still worked, but did not have that freezing effect on the driver.
The 13 year old Buick Enclave, which I attempted to recharge myself, was not that cold. Doing the same test, it blew anywhere from 54F to 60F. There were times when it was hot and humid and I saw no condensation by the rear right wheel (when new there would be a huge puddle--I have observed this with other similar cars like the Acadia/Traverse). At the end of its life the AC still worked, but did not have that freezing effect on the driver.
Our 2012 Mazda5 and our 2014 Mazda CX5 have the best AC and have never been serviced. Our 05 Yukon with dual AC has been the worst
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Seems like from this thread alone, GM Tahoe is mostly negative, but some say positive. Hopefully in a month I’ll observe how a 2025 behaves. Be curious how the rear AC lines are run and which side the rear evap is located. On the Enclave lines are easily damaged by a flatbed’s chains. Also easy to get scraped if too close to a parking island.
The best was my dad's old 1965 Oldsmobile ninety eight. It would get so cold you could scrape frost off the air conditioner vent outlets. It was the Fridgader type not sure if I spelled it correctly. The worst is my 2012 Honda Civic which works ok but when it's really hot it's just good enough. It shuts off to save gasoline but all in all it still works ok so no huge complaint necessary.
Current gen. Mazda CX-5, not enough BTU (joules). only tolerable (to me) in my summer in my 4-season climate.
If I lived in the southwest, Texas, southeast, I'd sit in the dealer's lot and test the A/C in a hot car before considering a test drive.
If I lived in the southwest, Texas, southeast, I'd sit in the dealer's lot and test the A/C in a hot car before considering a test drive.
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VW GTI A/C cane be adjusted to hot climate setting. We can make igloos in passenger seat.
My 2007 Grand Cherokee is cold, too.
The most troublesome was a 1990 Ford Aerostar. Ford didn’t use clamps on the house fittings but pressed on. After awhile they leaked. But when it worked it was cool inside.
My 2007 Grand Cherokee is cold, too.
The most troublesome was a 1990 Ford Aerostar. Ford didn’t use clamps on the house fittings but pressed on. After awhile they leaked. But when it worked it was cool inside.
I'm puzzled by the thermodynamics of how it's possible to cool air below freezing without icing up the evaporate and blocking all airflow.
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I also found it interesting that car AC typically blows low 40F's. If a home did that I would expect icing up and serious condensation from the ductwork....
BrendanC
$100 site donor 2024
2002 silverado 2500HD 6.0L with electric fans off of a 2013 escalade (700w motors vs 500w) will blow 38 degrees out of the vents on high in the middle of houston summers. it get uncomfortably cold on low after a while and requires blending in some heat.
all original AC components minus the low side pressure port. refilled based on eyeballing weight of cans
2005 Honda accord 2.4L EX-L model has the “auto” setting. will blow 40° directly after start up in houston summer and holds the cabin very comfortable for my drives. only thing that has been replaced is a reman ac compressor. car has ~410k miles
2003 honda accord 2.4L 200k miles, brand new ac compressor, expansion valve, drier and evaporator and new electric fans. charged to the exact same amount as my 05 and it just sucks. ac compressor will cycle when it’s on full blast and end up blowing hot air at you. i cannot figure out what it does. (i have watched pressures with gauges and it’s not a pressure safety cut out, it is random).
all original AC components minus the low side pressure port. refilled based on eyeballing weight of cans
2005 Honda accord 2.4L EX-L model has the “auto” setting. will blow 40° directly after start up in houston summer and holds the cabin very comfortable for my drives. only thing that has been replaced is a reman ac compressor. car has ~410k miles
2003 honda accord 2.4L 200k miles, brand new ac compressor, expansion valve, drier and evaporator and new electric fans. charged to the exact same amount as my 05 and it just sucks. ac compressor will cycle when it’s on full blast and end up blowing hot air at you. i cannot figure out what it does. (i have watched pressures with gauges and it’s not a pressure safety cut out, it is random).
I I heard a BMW engineer say that Americans build a car around the A/C first. Everything else comes second.
Every GM I've owned had cold and durable AC. I owned a 1992 Subaru Legacy for a while, that AC worked fine but you had to choose AC or driving. That little motor really struggled to move the car and power the AC simultaneously.
