The Acura CL does 21.6 mpg combined (18.6 city, 27.2 highway), which works out to about $1,778 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 2.2L 4-cyl does 24 mpg while 3L 6-cyl does 20 — a difference of $320 a year. Against other V6 cars it sits above the average of 19.9 mpg.
Every Acura CL engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Acura CL ranges from 24 down to 20 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $320 a year across 4 versions of the same car. Picking the right one often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. 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
The Acura CL burns a gallon every 21.6 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 556 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.148 |
| Fuel per year | $1,778 |
| Fuel over five years | $8,890 |
| Against other V6 cars | −$152 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,139 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Acura CL gives up 8.6 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 27.2 out there against 18.6 in town, a 46% drop worth $653 a year. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 18.6 mpg | $2,065 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 27.2 mpg | $1,412 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +8.6 mpg (46%) | 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. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| 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.
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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 Acura CL get?
21.6 mpg combined on average — 18.6 in the city and 27.2 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1997–2003.
How much does a Acura CL cost in fuel per year?
About $1,778 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $8,890 over five years, or 0.148 dollars a mile.
Which CL engine is the most economical?
The 2.2L 4-cyl at 24 mpg, against 20 for the 3L 6-cyl — a difference of about $320 a year.
Is the CL good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other V6 cars it sits above the average of 19.9 mpg, computed across 4940 ratings.
Are these real-world CL figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Acura CL is $3,139 against the $1,778 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 24 and 20 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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