2001 Acura CL Review
2001 Acura CL Review
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Used CL for sale
Appraise This CarAcura CL types
- Coupe
- 3.2 Type-S
See Edmunds pricing data
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Subdued yet elegant styling, powerful V6 engines, lavish standard features list, comfortable cabin, impressive handling.
Cons
- Interior trimmings lack refinement, rough ride from Type S suspension, front-wheel drive, no manual transmission.
What’s new
Acura's CL undergoes a major makeover to gain headway in the luxury coupe market. New from the ground up, the CL receives upgraded 3.2-liter V6 engines making up to 260 horsepower, a five-speed automatic transmission with sequential SportShift, and a full load of standard equipment for a bargain-basement price. A new sport-tuned Type S is worth the extra money if you value performance over ride comfort.
Edmunds says
If you are looking for a luxury coupe for about $30,000, you'll be hard pressed to find anything better.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2001 Acura CL 3.2 2dr Coupe (3.2L 6cyl 5A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.31 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$251/mo for CL 3.2
CL 3.2
vs
$176/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
Vehicle overview
Acura's target market for the 3.2CL is aging baby boomers that are experiencing life without children for the first time in decades. No longer needing that silly SUV or monstrous minivan, these empty nesters are supposed to rediscover the joys of coupe life?preferably in a CL.
Well, there are worse places to go for a midlife crisis. Acura's CL offers spirited performance and competent handling in a package that effectively marries the two with a comfortable, well-appointed cabin. Two models are available: the standard CL or, for those who crave a sportier ride with additional power, the performance-oriented Type S.
Though it will never threaten an NSX in terms of absolute handling nor a Bentley Continental R with regard to lavish trimmings, the stoutly bodied CL may surprise drivers who think that automatic climate control and canyon carving are mutually exclusive.
Highway manners are excellent, with a comfortable ride that provides plenty of feedback. Standard 16-inch wheels and antilock brakes provide sure footing when pushed to the limit, and the variable-assist rack-and-pinion steering is communicative without making low-speed parking maneuvers difficult. A smooth, torquey 3.2-liter, 225-horsepower V6 in standard CLs (or a 260-horsepower version in the Type S model) makes for lively acceleration. The front wheels are driven through a five-speed SportShift automanual transmission.
The extra investment required to purchase the Type S is worth the cost in drivetrain dividends, which include a dual-stage induction system, low-restriction dual exhaust, larger throttle body, increased compression ratio, special cylinder heads, firmer springs, increased shock damping and handsome 17-inch wheels. Type S also gets a Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) system to keep the car pointed in the direction you want to go. Be warned, however, that the stiffly sprung Type S suffers from a somewhat harsh ride on most urban streets.
Unlike American personal coupes that are often overweight and overtly flashy, or austere German sport coupes, which are often Spartan to the point of monasticism, the CL's interior effectively blends ergonomic simplicity with the look, if not the feel, of rich appointments. Up front, occupants will find comfortable and supportive leather-faced seats, as well as plenty of legroom. Side-impact airbags are standard. Acura calls the CL a 2+2, so it should come as no surprise that backseat passengers will feel a bit pinched if they are over average height.
Standard niceties include an in-dash six-disc CD changer hooked to an Acura/Bose audio system, heated front seats, remote keyless entry, and a power moonroof. The only option on either model is a DVD-based navigation system containing complete mapping of the 48 contiguous states.
As the first Acura designed, engineered, and manufactured almost entirely in the United States, the CL certainly doesn't feel "American." From its high-end accouterments to its sporty road manners, the CL takes personal luxury to a level not commonly found on vehicles in this price range.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2001 Acura CL.
5 star(75%)
4 star(21%)
3 star(2%)
2 star(0%)
1 star(2%)
122 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.5 out of 5 stars
2001 Acura Cl 3.2 Type-S Coupe -- Excellent
jrswifty, 05/06/2014
2001 Acura CL 3.2 Type-S 2dr Coupe (3.2L 6cyl 5A)
I loved my 2001 Acura so much that I figured I'd share my great experience. I drove my car for three years running it up to 180000km. This car never let me down and started every single time - even in the -40 Canadian winters. I never had any problems with the transmission or any other part of the car. The Acura Cl Type-S is truly a joy to drive, lots of power for all sorts of fun. … Handled excellent in the winter and on gravel roads. Unfortunately I was hit in an intersection writing my vehicle off. That being said, the car kept me safe and the necessary airbags deployed when and where they were needed. I now drive an Infiniti and it is not at all comparable to my great Cl.
4.5 out of 5 stars
For My Money-Unbeatable
Paul, 09/02/2008
2001 Acura CL 3.2 2dr Coupe (3.2L 6cyl 5A)
Acura may not have won over the hardcore luxury sports car owners, but this car is amazing for the price. You're given a standard 3.2 liter with 225 horsepower and I get about 24 mpg average. On the highway it can reach 30 mpg. The car is already loaded (no options): 6 disc CD changer, heated seats, dual power seats, TCS, 4 wheel ABS disc brakes, auto-manual 5 speed trans., auto climate … control, power sunroof. All this for under $33k. The 225 horsepower engine delivers a brilliant tone and is pretty quick. The styling is a large improvement from the older model as well. The interior is so easy to navigate too. The seats are comfortable and leather clad.
5 out of 5 stars
NOW...Read This!! The 3.2CL-S is AWESOME
Acura4Ashlee, 11/05/2003
2001 Acura CL 3.2 Type-S 2dr Coupe (3.2L 6cyl 5A)
After wreaking my '99 Prelude in April
I didn't know what to buy! After doing
a little research, I found a blue '01
CL-S at a Chevy dealership...(yep,
Chevy)...and for a great price too!!
The car only had 8800 miles on it. The
test drive was awesome. I fell in love
with the car as soon as I sat in it!
The dealership said some guy traded it
in for a Corvette (feel sorry … for
him). All I can say is that I'm glad
that he did! I'm not crazy about
Corvettes....but my Acura.....now
that's a different story!!
4.63 out of 5 stars
My 2001 Acura CL-S
smileyhollow, 01/24/2012
2001 Acura CL 3.2 Type-S 2dr Coupe (3.2L 6cyl 5A)
In 2000, I bought a 2001 Acura CL-S brand new and I love it.
It has 49,000 miles and the only things I have ever had done to it is have the oil changed and the scheduled maintenance.
The
only thing bad I have to say about this car is that it didn't hold it's value as I thought it would. Even though I have 4 people standing in line to buy it, I am keeping it and maybe sell it later.
It is … a blast to drive and now that there are not many on the road, it gets the looks.
I think it is a beautiful and a fun car. So if you ever see a shiny, bright red 2001 CL-S in perfect condition passing you,
wave, it will probably be me.
2001 CL Highlights
Coupe
3.2
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $27,980 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 20 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $251/month |
Seating | 4 seats |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the CL include:
- Stability Control
Related Used 2001 Acura CL info
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