Against 419 other V6 cars rated 2001–2003, the CL beats their 18.8 mpg average by 2.2 mpg, about $214 a year. Averaged over the years each was sold, the most economical engine since 1997, the 2.2L 4-cyl (1997), does 24 mpg and the thirstiest, the 3L 6-cyl (1997–1999), 20: $320 a year apart.
Every Acura CL engine, compared
Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.2L 4-cyl | 22 / 28 | 1997–1997 | $1,600 | |
| 2.3L 4-cyl | 21 / 29 | 1998–1999 | $1,600 | |
| 3.2L 6-cyl | 17 / 27 | 2001–2003 | $1,855 | |
| 3L 6-cyl | 17.3 / 26 | 1997–1999 | $1,920 |
What that actually costs
Against its rivals in the same model years, the Nissan Sentra gets 27.3 mpg, the Mitsubishi Eclipse 22.2 mpg and the Mazda RX-8 18 mpg, next to 21 mpg for the 2003 CL.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile (2003) | $0.152 |
| Fuel per year | $1,829 |
| Fuel over five years | $9,145 |
| Against other V6 cars, 2001–2003 | −$214 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,139 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The 2003 Acura CL gives up 10 mpg in town: 27 on the highway against 17 in the city, $837 a year if every mile were city driving.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City (2003) | 17 mpg | $2,259 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 27 mpg | $1,422 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +10 mpg (59%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the CL changed over the years
The CL peaked in 1999 at 22 mpg (19 city, 27.5 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2001 at 20 — 2 mpg apart, or $175 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2003 car does 21.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 17 / 27 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 2002 | 17 / 27 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 2001 | 17 / 27 | 1 | $1,920 | |
| 1999 | 19 / 27.5 | 2 | $1,745 | |
| 1998 | 19 / 27.5 | 2 | $1,745 | |
| 1997 | 20 / 27 | 2 | $1,745 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
- Fuel profile built from your actual mileage and local prices
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- Insurance and fuel folded into 5-year cost to own
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How we count
This page rests on 9 EPA ratings of the Acura CL — 4 engines across 1997–2003. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $3,139. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the 2003 Acura CL get?
21 mpg combined, 17 city and 27 highway, per EPA. Across every year since 1997 the CL has averaged 21.6 mpg.
Is the 2003 CL more efficient than the 2002?
About the same: 21 against 21 mpg combined.
Which CL year has the best gas mileage?
The 1999, at 22 mpg combined (19 city, 27.5 highway).
Does the CL get better gas mileage than the Nissan Sentra?
No: 21 mpg for the 2003 CL against 27.3 for the 2004 Nissan Sentra, about $422 a year more to run.
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