Hello there. Prospective xD buyer here but I have a question about the air conditioning.

Since the engine only has 125hp, does running the a/c cause a big power loss when the compressor is engaged? It's too cold here to be able to tell anything about it since the compressor never really kicks in good.

I've been impressed with the car so far, other than a lack of a center console and I REALLY want fog lights. I've already read about the DIY fogs so I'll probably add those.

Any other complaints about the xD? I realize it's new but I've seen fewer complaints here than in most other car forums I've read.

Thanks for any help or advice.

CoryB
Probably xD owner by next week...

 

all cars lose power when the air conditioner is on, because it requires additional power from the engine to operate, but i'm pretty sure that with toyotas, when you hit full throttle, it disengages the a/c to get full engine power to the wheels.

now i'm not an xd owner, but when i saw it, i was kinda annoyed by how the seats fold flat, but the seatbelt for the center back seat stays in the middle cargo area. seems kinda dumb to me.

 

It's 128 horsepower to be exact, I think, but that is in a 2600 lb car. I don't think you have anything to worry about, it's a little quicker than most cars in its class already actually. 0-60 in 8.5 seconds or so is better than almost any other economy car on the market and it was actually considered pretty damn quick 20-30 years ago. My 105 hp xB had acceptable acceleration with the A/C on and a full load of passengers.

Unless you are a pedal mashing speed demon I think you will be more than OK.

 

Hah during summer and the fires in SoCal I had to run the A/C 24/7 and I really didn't notice a difference with accelerating much at all. I know what its like with a sluggish car, my 1999 Corolla was a pain with A/C on and trying to speed up on the freeway lol.

My only complaints is the lack of a center console, which supposedly a part is coming out before summer, and the fact of the fog light issue. Other than that.. its a sweet little car

 

This seatbelt disconnects and goes up into the ceiling so you don't have it going through the middle of the cago area. I just got my xD yesterday and had to disconnect it right away as I found it very annoying while driving.

 

I have owned several cars, and the engagement of the A/C is not noticable at all on my xD. Reason being (I think) is that the xD A/C compressor does not have the typical A/C clutch so there isn't this instant on/off effect many people feel in other cars.

The xD compressor actually has an electronic solenoid inside the A/C compressor that closes a valve to start the compression, and even so, it is gradual. The compressor is continuously driven by the engine belt when the A/C is off or on. Only when the valve closes inside will the compressor start to place a load on the engine. I have noticed no degregation of power with the A/C on at all. It's pretty cool.