Do European Cars Have AC? (We Checked)

The air conditioning system is a common feature in most modern cars, and many European vehicles also come with functioning ACs as standard equipment.

However, because most European countries don’t feel the need to cool off with an air conditioner, some of their vehicles do not have AC as standard.

If you are wondering whether all European cars have AC, you’ll discover all there is to know about European cars and Air conditioner in this article.

Before we move into the details, check some European cars that do not have AC and those that do below.

European Cars Without AC

Here are 6 European cars that do not have AC.

• Fiat Panda (early models)
• Citroen 2CV
• Renault Twingo (early models)
• Volkswagen Beetle (older models)
• Mini Cooper (older models)
• Peugeot 205 (older models)

In spite of the less preference that most Europeans give to air conditioners due to their cool climate, you’ll only find old European cars with no AC, except for some few entry-level new models.

European Cars With AC

The following European car brands offer AC in their vehicles:

• Audi
• BMW
• Mercedes-Benz
• Volkswagen
• Porsche
• Volvo
• Fiat
• Alfa Romeo
• Peugeot
• Citroen
• Renault
• Seat
• Skoda

Note that almost all modern European cars come equipped with an AC as standard. However, it is possible that some of the oldest models of these vehicles have no AC.

Also, some entry-level or smaller car models may not have AC as standard equipment. Instead, they may offer it as an optional feature.

Do European Rental Cars Come with AC?

Most European rental cars come equipped with an air conditioner. This is mainly because car AC has become a standard worldwide since the development of the global automobile market.

Besides, modern cars now come with an improved climate control system that is useful in both hot and cold temperature. So, even if the Europeans will rarely make use of the air conditioner, they will definitely need the climate control system to manage their cold weather.

Mind you, the availability of AC in a rental car largely depends on the car rental company. In a bid to cut cost, some of them may opt for entry-level vehicles that may not feature an AC. Even if this is less likely, it is a possibility.

So, you may need to confirm the availability of an air conditioner in a rental car before booking. This is especially important if AC will be most useful for your trip.

You might also want to check if rental cars in European are automatic.

Does AC Cost More When Renting Cars in Europe?

Even when the use of AC in Europe is less common, many European cars feature an air conditioning system. It is unarguable that cars with AC costs more than the ones without the cooling device. So, the inclusion of an AC will definitely make a rental car costlier.

Moreover, rental cars are mostly used by immigrants who could be non-European. That is why most rental cars in Europe are equipped with AC or the dual climate control system, which makes them cost more.

For example, AutoEurope quotes the price range of renting a car in Germany for 3 days to be around $255 to $455, depending on the size and model of the vehicle.

This could be cheaper if you go for low-grade vehicles that have no AC. But, those kinds of deals may be rare to find.

Make sure to also check if rental cars are generally reliable.

How Effective Is the AC in European Cars?

Before now, European cars tend to have less effective air conditioner. This is quite understandable, as the climate in most European countries is usually cold. So, mild AC will mostly work for many Europeans.

However, due to the disparity in the world temperature and the consideration of the international market, European car makers have redeveloped the AC system such that drivers can control the temperature as needed.

So, the effectiveness of air conditioning (AC) in European cars varies depending on the make and model of the vehicle, as well as the year it was manufactured.

The truth is most new European cars are designed to handle a wide range of climates. That is why they feature modernized climate control systems that can keep passengers cool and comfortable regardless of the outside temperature.

Mind you, one of the key factors that can impact the effectiveness of AC in European cars is the size of the vehicle. Smaller cars, such as those popular in cities, may have smaller AC systems that are not as powerful as those found in larger vehicles.

Additionally, the age of the car can also play a role in the effectiveness of the air conditioner, as older electronic may not be as efficient as newer ones.

Overall, European cars are generally known for having reliable and effective climate control systems that are effective in hot and humid conditions.

You might want to read about why cars won’t accelerate when AC is on.

Final Thoughts

According to the Washington post, only 3% of homes in Germany and less than 5% of homes in France have an air conditioning system. This is because most European countries have more of humid climate conditions than hot ones.

In Germany, for instance, they only use AC for a few weeks in the summer. So, the need for air conditioning in vehicles may be unnecessary in such regions.

However, the emergence of the dual climate control system has redefined the use of AC in cars. Modern vehicles now offer separate control for both hot and humid climate, and this is common in most European vehicles as well.

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