This is my first summer with my IS350. I live in Tucson, AZ where the temps are now over a 100 degrees. I was scared that being such a small car that the ac would have problems trying to cool. I'm here to tell you boys and girls that the IS has no problems. I froze my butt off yesterday and it was 101 degrees. The fan blows hard and cold. That along with the ventilated seats made it very nice. I came from a 2005 Acura TL which was a bigger car and the AC blew half as hard and not nearly as cold. So for any of you that are on the fence about getting this car this should be a consideration.

 

Yep, the AC works wonderful in the 250 too!

 

so how is your mobile igloo?

 

It works FAST, too. When I leave work in the afternoon of a warm, sunny day, the car is cool by the time I get out of the parking lot. I figured it was pretty standard for a luxury car like this, but maybe the IS is spoiling us, heh.

I hope it stays that way. AC problems seriously blow... especially in TX.

 

I am in Nevada and lived in AZ for many years. I am really happy with the IS AC...my Audi(s) could never keep up.

 

Amen! The AC on this car works very well... up in Canada too!

 

Ya I figured since its a small car with a big engine in a little compartment, that it would leave less room for the AC equipment. That engine bay is almost sealed and there is a lot of heat in there. I don't know how they did it but WAY TO GO LEXUS!!!

 

Pretty sure it's the same AC unit.

 

I set mine at 77 in the 90+ degree Texas heat these days, and I'm freezing my tail off.

The seat coolers make it feel a bit colder, and are worth every dollar.

 

IMO the ac on this car is ok, I don't think it's as good as what everybody here makes it out to be, If I leave me car sitting in the sun for a few hours in Phoenix it takes it awhile before the interior starts to cool down to an acceptable level, the ac on my 93 Explorer would make the one on the IS look weak and the Explorer has twice the area to cool.

 

I live in Phoenix and I agree the A/C works well but I have to have mine on full blast before I can feel it.

 

lol cspec, I really doubt you need AC in Canada! Toyota/Lexus has always worked well for our 50C. deg. summer.

 

I live in south fla, I think the AC is okay. LIke someone said earlier, I had to have it full blast before I can feel it. I think having a black car has something to do with it. My previous car was a white acura and the AC didn't have to work that hard to get cool.

 

Well the AC in my Starfire Pearl/Cashmere IS 350 kicks butt compared to the black/black German car with 20% tint I used to drive.
If it's been sitting in the sun all day while you were working, when you come out to it at 5PM use the unlock button on the remote to open the windows and sunroof. That really helps a lot, and you'll be cool in a few minutes.
I still think I'm going to go with some tint however, gets pretty dang warm down here in Georgia.

 

A/C units do not work well in dry heat. They work best when there is moisture in the air to condense. In any case, you likely need a bigger unit in Arizona, as the one on this car wouldn't be sufficient.