In the past 20 years, I've predominantly owned European cars, Volkswagens in particular. The other being my two current vehicles-a 1994 Isuzu Trooper and a 2004 STi. When running the "recirculate" on the HVAC on the VWs, I never could smell the outside air whether in a tunnel, the ocean breeze, or the smell of fireworks driving around New Years. But with the Isuzu and the STi, there is the faint odor of the "outside" air. Is this an inherent Japanese car trait or is there something wrong with my ventilation system. Apologies if I am not posting in the right forum, but just wanted to see what you guyz thought. Mahalos.

 

I noticed that too.

Maybe the air doesn't seal as well with our cars because of how the doors are done (glass being the top of the door.

Maybe some air is seeping in.