Midsize SUV AC torture test: Kia Seltos to Tata Sierra

We’re in the midst of a brutal summer, with temperatures soaring well past the 40deg mark across much of the country. It is the wrong time of year to be out in the sun, but also the perfect time for our AC torture test. We’ve assembled five midsize SUVs and the objective is simple: to find out which ones can keep their cool when the going gets hot.

In preparation for the test, each car is parked under direct sunlight for two hours with its engine switched off and windows rolled up. Sunroof shades are kept closed, but rear window shades are rolled away. The cars are rigged with sophisticated test equipment, which captures reams of data, provided by Zen Microsystems. Five thermocouple sensors read ambient temperature, cabin temperature, vent temperature (it captures how cold the air is), front-seat temperature (measured near the driver’s ear) and rear-seat temperature (measured at the rear centre armrest).

Getting into the cars for the actual test was like stepping into a furnace. Repeatedly. To simulate a worst-case scenario, the windows were kept shut for the duration of the test. Climate control was set to recirculation mode, maximum blower speed and the lowest possible temperature. Front vents were directed at the driver’s face, while rear vents were aimed at the rear-seat centre occupant.

Temperature readings were recorded after one minute of idling, and then after five, 10 and 15 minutes of driving over a fixed route at 50-60kph. A final reading was taken after another minute of idling. Note that the midsize SUVs were tested with peak ambient temperatures of 42.2 deg C.

Kia Seltos

The Seltos delivered a strong showing, recording a substantial drop in cabin temperature over the first minute of idling. Cooling performance remained impressive thereafter, with the cabin settling at a comfortable temperature within the first five minutes of driving. Interestingly, rear temperatures were marginally lower than those recorded up front. Temperatures did rise at idle, increasing by as much as 4 deg C at the rear from drive-time lows.

Mahindra BE 6

A high 54 deg C starting temperature at the driver’s seat could be attributed to the rad-looking BE 6's expansive windscreen and glass roof. A meek blower doesn’t help initial cooling, but the driver temperature does drop dramatically within the first 5 minutes of the drive and stays at a comfortable level thereafter. Rear seat temperatures were the highest of this set of SUVs, though. The peculiar rear AC vents that don’t allow occupants to direct airflow are partly to blame.

Renault Duster

The Duster recorded the smallest temperature drop in the first minute of the test, but cooling performance picked up on the move. In fact, driving speed has a noticeable bearing on the Duster’s cooling performance, reflected in AC vent temperature that rises as the vehicle slows down. Temperatures rose by as much as 4 deg C from the lowest readings recorded during the driving phase to the final reading taken with the vehicle at idle.

Tata Sierra

The Sierra makes a strong start, recording an impressive temperature drop in the first minute of the test. Good blower strength and spread contribute to its strong initial cooling performance. The temperature drop eases on the move, though, meaning the Sierra cedes ground to the other SUVs. Front and rear temperatures are at a comfortable level but far from class-best standards.

VW Taigun

The Taigun (also representing the Skoda Kushaq) delivered a dramatic turnaround from last year’s performance, helped by the move to a new variable-geometry AC compressor. Despite recording the highest starting temperature up front (a BE 6-matching 54 deg C), the VW posted a massive 13.3 deg C temperature drop in the first minute and continued cooling effectively thereafter. Vent temperature dropped to a best of test 8 deg C, and the cabin became chilly. Even with a temperature rise at end idle, the Taigun finished with the coldest readings overall.