I use the air cond manually ie turn on the A/C, set the coolest temperature and regulate the fan speed myself. Works well in 40+C temperatures in Mildura even after sitting in the sun all day.

I find it's better than the 4 cylinder Japanese cars I've had in the past and the Octavia doesn't warm up when you're idling at the lights. But on the flip side its not as good as the Pajero we once had - now that was a fridge.