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• Performance of an AAC system was investigated for different types of compressors and refrigerants. • The COP of the R1234yf system with VCC and FCC is about 13.6% and 20.1% lower than the R134a one, respectively. • The exergy destroyed in the system with VCC is 1.7%... 52.7% lower than that with FCC. • The exergy destroyed in the evaporator and condenser for R1234yf is less than that for R134a. In this study, the performance of R1234yf as an alternative to R134a has been experimentally investigated in an experimental automobile air conditioning (AAC) system with variable (VCC) and fixed (FCC) capacity compressors. The AAC system was equipped with original components and instruments for mechanical measurements. The experiments were conducted for both types of compressors and refrigerants at various compressor speeds, air temperatures entering the evaporator and condenser and air speeds passing over them. The performance parameters of the AAC system have been evaluated by performing energy and exergy analysis based on the experimental data, and the results were presented in the form of comparative graphics. The experimental results show that the VCC compressor limits the refrigerant flow rate when the capacity control system is activated due to the decrease in the evaporator and condenser air inlet temperatures and the increase in the compressor speed. It was found that the coefficients of performance (COPs) of the R1234yf AAC system with VCC and FCC were approximately 13.6% and 20.1% lower than those of the R134a system with VCC and FCC, respectively. For both refrigerants, in the AAC system with VCC, the total exergy destruction rate per unit cooling capacity was 18.2% − 47.5% lower compared to the system with FCC. The R1234yf AAC system experiences lower exergy destruction in the evaporator and condenser compared to the R134a system, while it practices higher exergy destruction in the compressor and expansion device in comparison to the R134a system [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]