Max AC - Multi-stage compressor?

In my previous Tacomas, pressing the "Max AC" button caused the recirculation feature to engage. Recirc on Max was mandatory, you could not run "Max" and de-select recirc to get outside source air.

It is different in the 2016 Tacoma....sure it initially defaults to recirc, but you can then select outside air and still run on max.

Here is my question:
I noticed that the "regular" AC (whether outside air or recirc) is not very impressive, but the Max setting is much colder....even on the outside air setting. So, do newer vehicles (Tacomas) have a multi-stage compressor or something that runs only a portion of the entire compressor capacity to save fuel if you only want "regular AC?" I would be surprised and impressed if this is true, but is sure seems that colder air comes out under Max. The regular setting can hardly keep up on a hot day, regardless of source air, and it feels like additional cooling capacity comes online under Max.

 

Max AC means the outside air intake it shutoff. Therefore, you're just recirculating the cool air.

That's how max AC always works.

 

Thanks for not reading my post.

 

The recirc helps cool it off faster,
And theres 2 ac settings as far as i know.
One is turn the knobs to low position get kinda coldish air. Then hit the ac and get really cold air.

 

Regular a.c. cycles the compressor on and off in short periods of time. Max a.c. keeps the compressor running until the thermostat kicks off.
My .02

 

To answer your question, no the compressor only has one stage and it's either on or off, unlike a high efficiency on your home hvac system that can run at different stages if i understend your question correctly, and last time I checked, so i could be wrong!

Cheers!