What is the Acura CL based on?
The Acura CL was a luxury coupe produced by Honda's premium brand Acura from 1996 to 2003. It was based on the Honda Accord platform, sharing many of its mechanical components and underpinnings with the popular midsize sedan.
Origins and Design
The Acura CL was introduced in 1996 as a replacement for the Acura Legend coupe. It was designed to offer a more affordable luxury coupe option compared to the larger and more expensive Legend. The CL shared its front-wheel-drive architecture, engines, and transmissions with the contemporary Honda Accord, but featured unique exterior and interior styling to differentiate it as a premium Acura model.
The first-generation Acura CL (1996-1999) was available in two trim levels: the base 2.2CL and the more powerful 3.0CL. The 2.2CL was powered by a 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine, while the 3.0CL used a 3.0-liter V6 engine. Both models came standard with a four-speed automatic transmission.
Second-Generation Improvements
The second-generation Acura CL (1999-2003) received a more substantial redesign, with updated styling, more powerful engines, and additional features. The 2.3CL model used a 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine, while the 3.2CL had a 3.2-liter V6. Both were available with a five-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission.
The second-generation CL also offered more luxury amenities, such as leather upholstery, a Bose audio system, and available features like a navigation system and xenon headlights. These upgrades helped position the CL as a more direct competitor to other luxury coupes in its segment, such as the Acura TL, BMW 3 Series, and Lexus ES.
Discontinuation and Legacy
The Acura CL was discontinued after the 2003 model year, as Acura shifted its focus to sedans and SUVs. While the CL was never a high-volume seller, it played an important role in Acura's lineup, offering a more affordable and compact luxury coupe option for buyers. The CL's shared platform with the Honda Accord allowed Acura to leverage existing engineering and manufacturing resources, making the CL a cost-effective addition to the brand's lineup.
Today, the Acura CL is remembered as an important part of the brand's history, bridging the gap between the larger and more expensive Legend coupe and the more mainstream Accord. Its combination of luxury features, sporty driving dynamics, and Accord-based underpinnings made it a unique offering in the premium coupe segment during its production run.
What is the Acura RSX based off of?
Acura RSX was the successor to the Acura Integra from the early to mid-2000s. In most markets, the RSX was known as the fourth-generation Honda Integra (DC5). Similar to what Toyota has been doing with its old nameplates, Honda also started reviving some of its iconic models from the last.
Does Acura CL have VTEC?
The CL, however, was never produced as a 2000 model and instead in March 2000 the completely redesigned Acura CL was released as a 2001 model featuring a 3.2 L SOHC VTEC J-series V6.
What is the Acura RLX based on?
The Honda Legend, upon which the RLX was based, was initially continued on in other markets, including Japan.
Which Acura is built on the Accord platform?
The TSX spanned two generations, both derived from the corresponding Japanese/European versions of the Honda Accord, which were more compact and sporting-oriented than their larger North American counterpart. The latter Accord platform was also used for the Acura TL, which slotted above the TSX in Acura's lineup.
What does CL mean in Acura?
The Acura CL is a model of automobile manufactured by Honda's Acura brand from 1997–1999, and from 2001–2003. The CL is often thought to have been a replacement for the Acura Legend coupe.
Is the TLX the same as an Accord?
The Acura TLX is 194.6 inches long, 75.2 inches wide, and 56.4 inches tall. The 2024 Honda Accord, on the other hand, is 195.7 inches long, 73.3 inches wide, and 57.1 inches tall. The 2024 Acura TLX, however, has much stronger engine options and a superior lineup of standard features.
How many miles do Acura CL last?
MotorAsk.com – “Acuras can last anywhere from 250,000 to 300,000 miles with proper maintenance. According to Acura owners, some of the brand's vehicles can even last 400,000 miles or more in ideal conditions and with a responsible owner…
What is Acura TL based on?
The second-generation TL (now called 3.2 TL) was derived from the US-market Honda Accord platform. It was available with a newly designed 3.2 L 225 hp (168 kW) SOHC VTEC J32 V6 mated to a four-speed electronic automatic transmission with SportShift.
Why was RLX discontinued?
Acura has announced it is discontinuing its top-end sedan after the 2020 model year. Why? you ask. One reason could be that the RLX, which starts at $55,925, found only 179 buyers in the first quarter of this year.
What is the Acura TLX based on?
Based on the design of the Type S concept introduced in 2019, the second generation TLX launched digitally on May 28, 2020, production began on August 28, with sales following on September 28.
