Vehicles with the Coldest A/C Systems?
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OMG. I was going to type the same thing. 1989 Jetta Wolfsburg edition (made in Germany). Hands down #1 ac of all time. Like twice the size needed. You could hang meat in there.
- 2017 Tacoma is very good
- 2015 Prius C is meh
- two previous Mopars were crap
My friends 1988 Ford ranger and his 2000ish (last year of previous ranger). You could make snow.
FWIW: one third of the reason I will probably never buy another Mopar is because of the crap HVAC. Both in terms of effectiveness and lack of even a hint of reliability. Multiple Experiences and $$$$’s in repairs soo bad would rule the whole brand out. Thats saying something.
Ac can only blow so cold before the evap starts to freeze up. Part of the reason I bought my 87 f250 is because those systems work well. Even retrofitted to r134a.
Propflux01
$100 Site Donor 2025
Other than the late 70's/early 80's Chevy pickups, my 2014 Elantra was an Icebox. You could hang meat in it!
I usually drive around window down arm out.
It's Summer; enjoy it.
I'll be freezing soon enough come November.
Wimpy North Americans - ripe for the picking, LOL !
It's Summer; enjoy it.
I'll be freezing soon enough come November.
Wimpy North Americans - ripe for the picking, LOL !
BrendanC
$100 site donor 2024
GMT800 trucks with electric fans. my truck will turn into a meat locker. have to turn it off or turn the heat up.
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Right now, it's 84F, dew point 73F, and real feel 93F. I see lots of cars driving around with windows down, new ones.
Honestly? We're all humans. I find it hard to believe that with a 73F dew point, people are comfortable, aren't drenched, and like driving this way, better than with AC on.
As far as being wimpy, I had no AC in anything other than work, until summer 1998. I have no idea how come it was OK all those years, but today, I can't do without
I think the only cars I have had that weren't great with A/C was a '91 Camaro and an '05 Sentra SpecV. The Camaro was 10 years old when I got it so I don't know if it was lacking in some of its original abilities or just normal for it. The Sentra was passable, but it never felt capable of freezing me out of the car and I purchased it new. It was driven in Phoenix the whole time I had it. The GTO I had after that was much stronger.
Every vehicle I've had as my daily since the SpecV was a V8 until my GTI. I wonder if they actually have more powerful compressors. Of those the 2017 F150 was an absolute freezer box on full blast. The GTI's is excellent though too. I'd say the next closest to that one I've had is the Tesla, but I think the bonus there is not needing additional engine speed to run a compressor, it has it's own electric motor to supply the A/C compressor.
Every vehicle I've had as my daily since the SpecV was a V8 until my GTI. I wonder if they actually have more powerful compressors. Of those the 2017 F150 was an absolute freezer box on full blast. The GTI's is excellent though too. I'd say the next closest to that one I've had is the Tesla, but I think the bonus there is not needing additional engine speed to run a compressor, it has it's own electric motor to supply the A/C compressor.
Wife's newish Subaru HVAC will do odd things if not on Auto and you don't set a desired temp. Seems 65F works better than LOW with AC on manual mode.
My little Ford works well enough. If the compressor didn't make a happy start and it's not cooling after 5 mins when I initially turn it on, I'll shut it off for a couple mins and try again while running the engine above 3000 rpm buy selecting a lower gear than D or O.D. Once it gets going and chilling, I put the trans in Drive and Eco (which is normal "slug" mode for the ford 6 speed). Dont knw why its flakey sometimes - seen this on multiple r134a systems
If it's humid, I select Recirc with no outside air - or MAX AC - just as your House system works.
Once its going I set it be a comfortable low 70's in the cabin. I see no need or want to freeze my shins and cheeks then step out into 90degF swelter.
Enjoy the Summer (unless you are in the southwest - where it would better be stated to endure the Summer
My little Ford works well enough. If the compressor didn't make a happy start and it's not cooling after 5 mins when I initially turn it on, I'll shut it off for a couple mins and try again while running the engine above 3000 rpm buy selecting a lower gear than D or O.D. Once it gets going and chilling, I put the trans in Drive and Eco (which is normal "slug" mode for the ford 6 speed). Dont knw why its flakey sometimes - seen this on multiple r134a systems
If it's humid, I select Recirc with no outside air - or MAX AC - just as your House system works.
Once its going I set it be a comfortable low 70's in the cabin. I see no need or want to freeze my shins and cheeks then step out into 90degF swelter.
Enjoy the Summer (unless you are in the southwest - where it would better be stated to endure the Summer
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btw one thing I don't like about new cars, is that when recirc is pressed, AC automatically on. Since my other 2 cars have freezing cold AC, I occasionally turn AC off, hit recirc, and fan on low to use the residual coolness in the evap. I can't stand the idea of blending in heat, seems wasteful. Imagine using both AC and the furnace at home, to get the correct temp...
Muy 2005 Taurus is good and cold and has never been touched.Definitely not a 2018 Subaru Forester
My 2001 Taurus was a refrigerator. We were in Alabama one year and it was 90s and 100% humidity and we were shivering in the car. Then we stopped and got out and couldn't breathe it was such a change.
That would blow barely above freezing nomatter the temperature!
Seems that a lot of Ford products of that era have great AC.
My 98 ranger will blow cold air basically as soon as you turn on the system. Is really nice but i think the small cab helps. Coldest ac ive felt was a rental ford focus latest generation. Ive driven quite a few ford focuses but this one was a one off. Ac was so cold i was getting headaches but i couldn’t turn it off because i was mesmerized by how cold it was.
My previous 2013 bug TDi was quite impressive. In fact, everything about that little car was good. Wish I never turned it in on the diesel gate offer. I’ve lived in the desert for most of my life, and I had three black cars so that made it nearly impossible to keep things in check.
In 2016, I was swing testing the RAM, Duramax, and Power Stroke. Specifically testing the AC during August here in Lizard Spit, Arizona. I almost settled on the RAM until the salesman berated me for testing the AC. I’ll never forget his words; “ You’re the first person in my 20-years of selling cars that cared so much about the AC”. I was so put off by his arrogance, that I definitely didn’t want to buy the RAM which I was just about ready to sign.
In 2016, I was swing testing the RAM, Duramax, and Power Stroke. Specifically testing the AC during August here in Lizard Spit, Arizona. I almost settled on the RAM until the salesman berated me for testing the AC. I’ll never forget his words; “ You’re the first person in my 20-years of selling cars that cared so much about the AC”. I was so put off by his arrogance, that I definitely didn’t want to buy the RAM which I was just about ready to sign.
There is a lot more to an effective A/C system than just the outlet vent temperature. While that is an objective metric, other factors such as maximum air velocity, air flow volumetric output, heat transference capacity, etc. come into play as to the subjective perception of a great A/C system. For example, I posted a message on a BITOG thread about a 2006 Honda Odyssey where I had repaired an A/C system in May '24. After evacuation and a proper recharge, the middle vent dash outlet air temperature was 36 degrees F! However, due to a modest blower capacity, large cabin volume and massive greenhouse surface, the dual A/C system feels merely adequate in 90 degrees F temperatures.
Here is a photo of the 36 degrees F air coming out of the 2006 Odyssey referenced above.
I was going to mention mid-seventies GM cars and you beat me to it.
A lot of folks in this thread seem to favor more recent Ford products and I will say that our '97 Aerostar did an excellent job of cooling the voluminous interior even without a rear system. It also worked without any attention for the thirteen years we had the thing.
I’ve had the opposite experience… everything from my little Caliber to my truck have fantastic HVAC systems. The Durango’s AC compressor seized up on me at about 95k miles, but otherwise would freeze you out.
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