With Los Angeles in the throes of a heat wave, I reluctantly signed out our long term 2008 Hyundai Veracruz for the weekend. The crossover's air conditioning woes have been well documented in this blog, and the last thing I wanted was weaksuck A/C when the mercury is cresting the century mark. If I did, I would have signed up for the Ferrari 308, which is better looking and more fun to drive than the Hyundai.
But I was assured the Veracruz's air conditioning was no longer a problem, so I took the chance...
I had no need to worry. The Hyundai was perfect during the three days of super hot temps. The A/C worked so well it was freezing my kids out. "Daddy, we're cold," they said through shivering teeth. And this was only the way home from the Huntington Beach Dog Beach where we had been cooking in the sun for a couple of hours. Even my pooch, camped out in the cargo area, was kept comfy by the Hyundai's many rear A/C ducts mouted in its headliner.
Still, we couldn't spend the entire weekend in the cool confines of the Hyundai, so it also served as the go get vehicle for a home air conditioner. Photographic evidence of which is included. Love that power tailgate.
Coolio.
Scott Oldham, Inside Line Editor in Chief @ 8,150 miles
jpr18 says:
02:01 PM, 04/28/08
heatwave?!?!
It's 30 degrees and snowing here in Chicago...it was in the 70's a few days ago. The heat and A/C on the 2007 X5 works great!
tlcruz says:
02:35 PM, 04/28/08
Mannnnn, I do not envy the hot weather in Los Angeles right now. Of course, I'd be happy with a medium here since it's currently pouring rain here!!!
And I love DOG BEACH!!!!! It's definitely the place to be during the summer with the family and dogs!
tmanz says:
03:22 PM, 04/28/08
let us know how the room A/C works. I've always been tempted to get one for the garage, but doubt a portable one could handle it.
misterfusion says:
04:40 PM, 04/28/08
Ditto on the room A/C review -- I've been considering one, but don't know if I could make it work with my apt's crank-style windows.
Back on topic, I'm happy to report that my Aura XE's A/C did a fine job during this heatwave, even when carrying 3 passengers in city driving. So, I don't agree with the earlier post that suggested this car's A/C was somewhat weak.
7driver says:
09:41 PM, 04/28/08
Portable room A/C's generally tell you not to put the unit on its side like that because of the refrigerant or pump or somesuch. I suppose there's not much of an alternative in the Veracruz, though.
730 says:
11:39 PM, 04/28/08
oop there is the saturn comment again
tmanz says:
09:18 PM, 05/ 5/08
so, any update on how well the portable ac works?