Car Buyer Labs

Car Buying Advice, Tips, and Reviews

An orange 2022 Chevy Corvette Z06 is shown parked in an empty lot.

The Best Chevy Features and Models to Beat the Heat

If you live somewhere with high temperatures in the summer, then you know how important it is to have a vehicle with features that can help you beat the heat. Whether you’re stuck in rush hour traffic, running errands, or enjoying a road trip with friends, you don’t want a stuffy cabin to get in the way of your good time. Having a vehicle that keeps you cool can make all of the difference in the summer. Chevrolet makes several vehicles and offers a variety of features across their lineup that can keep you and your passengers comfortable in the heat.

There are many reasons you might want to keep your vehicle and passengers cool. Nobody wants to grab a piping-hot steering wheel when it’s time to drive, but if you’re in a rush, you might not have time to wait for it to cool down. If you’re transporting perishables, like popsicles for your kid’s sports team or a full load of groceries, you don’t want a warm vehicle to ruin your food and beverages. On those days you have a full car of friends or family, you know how quickly a pack of sweaty passengers leads to a, let’s just say, “odorous” vehicle. That’s no fun for anyone. Here are Chevy models and features that will help you do just that at your local Chevy dealer.

An orange 2023 Chevy Camaro SS is shown parked in a warehouse near a Houston Chevy dealer.

The Best Chevy Features To Keep You Cool

Beyond air conditioning, which is standard equipment for just about every car these days, there are some features that you can add to your Chevy to keep yourself and your passengers cool. These can be added either as stand-alone features or through a package, giving you the option to customize almost any model to make it cooler inside.

A Rear Sunshade Package

If you want to do your rear seat passengers a favor, you can add a rear sunshade package to your vehicle. This is great for parents of young children who take naps on long car rides. Even when the AC is blasting, it can still be difficult for rear seat passengers to feel comfortable when the sun’s rays are hitting them directly. Plus, having the sun shine into your vehicle can mean the AC has to work harder to keep the interior cool. In the same way keeping the curtains closed in your home helps your thermostat be more efficient, keeping the sunshades down in your vehicle can mean the AC doesn’t work as hard.

Remote Start with Climate Control

When temperatures really begin to rise, your car can simply be too uncomfortable to get into. In fact, if you have a leather or leatherette interior, the upholstery can be so hot that it can burn your skin. Instead of racing to find a towel or t-shirt to sit on to protect your legs, get a vehicle with a remote start function. Most vehicles equipped with this also offer remote climate control. That means that you can pre-cool your vehicle, before you even get into it. So when you’re wrapping up lunch or those swim lessons, just grab your keyfob and remote start your engine and your AC. Your vehicle will recall your preferred temperature setting, and the cabin should be nice and cool by the time you return to your car. Even without remote climate control, you can still manually turn your AC up to full blast when you turn your car off, and then it will be preset for maximum cooling when you start it remotely.

A Rear Power Sliding Window

Sometimes nothing beats a natural breeze. A cross breeze can be especially refreshing, and thanks to the available power sliding rear window in some Silverados, you can enjoy it. With the back window open along with all of the other windows, you’ll have a breeze running through the vehicle in nearly every direction. Plus, if you have a four-legged friend riding in the backseat, they’ll love sticking their head out the back window and feeling the wind on their face.

Ventilated Front Seats

Many vehicles today have heated front seats, but only a select few have ventilated front seats. The Chevy Bolt EUV has standard ventilated front seats, which send refreshing cool air down the backs of you and your front seat passenger. With the ventilated seats and the AC on, you’ll enjoy cold air on your front and your back. This feature can prevent those uncomfortable summer moments of having to peel your sweaty back off of a leather seat. It’s also nice to arrive at your destination without a big sweat stain on your clothing.

An orange and a red 2023 Chevy Corvette Z06 are shown parked on pavement.

The Best Chevy Vehicles For Staying Cool

You can’t discuss great summer vehicles for beating the heat in without discussing convertibles. With the top down and when you’re traveling at high speeds, you won’t even notice the heat. You’ll just have fresh air blowing through your hair, and people in regular hardtop vehicles will be jealous.

The Camaro

If you love a classic, a Camaro convertible is always a good time. With impressive acceleration, the 2023 model will have you reaching those gusty high speeds in no time. It’s a timeless muscle car that’s ideal for summer cruising. Plus, on higher trims of some newer Camaros, you can get standard ventilated driver and front passenger seats. With the top down and the ventilation on, you’ll feel extra cool on hot summer days.

The Corvette

The Corvette Convertible is another stunning and classic option from Chevy for those who want a top-down experience. The 2023 model has sharp lines and heart-stopping acceleration. If you’re looking for a striking sports vehicle, the Corvette is a great option. Even if you don’t want a full convertible, the hard top coupe has a roof panel that’s removable to let fresh air in.

The Equinox

As a compact SUV, the Equinox has impressive fuel economy. If you want to get away to beachfront or lakeside locations to cool down, you’ll love the gas mileage of the Equinox for your road trips. There’s one more thing that makes it ready for summer: its towing capacity. The 2023 model can tow up to 1,500 pounds, which makes it ready to tow a small boat out to a lake. If a big part of your summer plans involves days on the water, the Equinox can help you tow your vessel of choice there.

A red 2024 Chevy Equinox RS is shown parked on a driveway near a family.

The Right Cooling Features Make Summer Time Better

When you’re shopping for a vehicle, it’s tempting to go for the most basic of trims or skip the add-ons. It can be a way to save a buck or two the day you drive off the lot. However, when you’re sitting in traffic on a summer day and your sweaty back is sticking to your seat, you’ll wish you’d paid a little extra for those ventilated seats. Summer heat can be severe in some areas, and being too hot can range from just plain uncomfortable to even dangerous for your and your passengers. Great cooling features are the one thing you shouldn’t skip if you live somewhere with extreme heat.

Ask yourself what your main heat concerns are when selecting your features or model. If turning your cabin into an icey haven and keeping the outside air out is your priority, features like sunshades and ventilated seats are essential. However, if you’re more interested in letting in some fresh air or a cool breeze, a convertible model or rear sliding window might be for you.