Acura CL 0–60 Times
The Acura CL 0–60 times and quarter-mile times below are from 7 verified production tests sourced from reputable automotive resources such as Car and Driver, Motor Trend and MotorWeek and more. A further 1 modified or prototype run is listed by year but kept out of every record and average, per our methodology.
The fastest tested production Acura CL is the 2003 Acura CL 3.2CL Type-S Coupe, which went from 0 to 60 mph in 5.90 seconds, reaching the ¼ mile in 14.60 seconds at 98.0 mph, according to Car and Driver.
The slowest tested production Acura CL is the 1997 Acura CL 2.2CL Premium Coupe, which took 9.60 seconds to reach 60 mph, running the ¼ mile in 17.40 seconds at 81.0 mph, according to MotorWeek.
Across the 7 verified production tests of the Acura CL, the average 0–60 mph time is 7.26 seconds. The average quarter-mile time is 15.56 seconds at 91.06 mph.
Separately, 1 modified or prototype run is on record for the Acura CL, led by the 2003 Acura CL Comptech Supercharged 3.2CL Type-S Coupe at 5.70 seconds. These are not stock configurations and are excluded from the figures above.
Fastest 0–60 5.90sec 2003 3.2CL Type-S Coupe · stock
Average 0–60 7.26sec Across 7 production runs
Fastest Modified 5.70sec 2003 Comptech Supercharged 3.2CL Type-S Coupe · modified
Avg ¼ Mile 15.56sec @ 91.1 mph trap
Slowest 0–60 9.60sec 1997 2.2CL Premium
Across 7 verified production runs, the Acura CL ranges from 5.90 to 9.60 seconds 0–60, with a 7.26-second average. 1 modified or prototype run is recorded separately and excluded from this range.
The Acura CL is ranked in these lists
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Acura CL Performance Overview
Acura’s CL occupied the brand’s two-door coupe performance slot from 1997 to 2003, and across 8 verified tests it traces a short, clear progression from modest VTEC coupe to quicker V6 grand-tourer. The YA1 first generation (1997–1999) used naturally aspirated gasoline four- and six-cylinder power, ranging from the 145-hp F22B1 to the 200-hp J30A1. Early results were measured rather than quick: the 1997 2.2CL Premium Coupe needed 8.9 seconds to reach 60 mph, while the slowest test in the dataset, a 1997 2.2CL Premium Coupe, ran 0-60 in 9.6 seconds. By 1999, the 3.0CL Coupe cut that to 7.3 seconds.
The YA4 second generation (2001–2003) shifted the CL decisively toward stronger straight-line performance with the 260-hp J32A2 V6 in naturally aspirated Type-S form, later extending to a 310-hp supercharged variant. A 2001 3.2CL Type-S Coupe recorded 6.4 seconds to 60 mph, and the 2003 3.2CL Type-S w/Nav Coupe reached 60 in 6.0 seconds. The peak came with the 2003 Comptech Supercharged 3.2CL Type-S Coupe at 5.7 seconds to 60 and 14.2 seconds in the quarter-mile at 104 mph, which remains the model’s quickest verified result and where the CL stands today in the data.
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Acura CL 0–60 Times by Generation: YA1 to YA4
2 generations| Generation | Years | Avg 0–60 | Fastest 0–60 | Production Tests | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YA4 | 2001–2003 | 6.25s | 5.90s — 2003 3.2CL Type-S Coupe | 4 | The YA4 generation (2001–2003) averaged 6.25 seconds to 60 mph across 4 production tests, led by the 2003 3.2CL Type-S Coupe at 5.90 seconds. Output ranged from 260 to 310 hp across 3.2L Supercharger V6, 3.2L V6 configurations. A further 1 result from 1 modified vehicle is recorded but excluded from the average. |
| YA1 | 1997–1999 | 8.60s | 7.30s — 1999 3.0CL Coupe | 3 | The YA1 generation (1997–1999) averaged 8.60 seconds to 60 mph across 3 production tests, led by the 1999 3.0CL Coupe at 7.30 seconds. Output ranged from 145 to 200 hp across 2.2L I-4, 3.0L V6 configurations. |
YA4 2001–2003
Avg 0–60 6.25s
Fastest 5.90s
Tests 4
2003 3.2CL Type-S Coupe
The YA4 generation (2001–2003) averaged 6.25 seconds to 60 mph across 4 production tests, led by the 2003 3.2CL Type-S Coupe at 5.90 seconds. Output ranged from 260 to 310 hp across 3.2L Supercharger V6, 3.2L V6 configurations. A further 1 result from 1 modified vehicle is recorded but excluded from the average.
YA1 1997–1999
Avg 0–60 8.60s
Fastest 7.30s
Tests 3
1999 3.0CL Coupe
The YA1 generation (1997–1999) averaged 8.60 seconds to 60 mph across 3 production tests, led by the 1999 3.0CL Coupe at 7.30 seconds. Output ranged from 145 to 200 hp across 2.2L I-4, 3.0L V6 configurations.
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Acura CL 0–60 Times by Year and Trim
7 production tests + 1 modified · 4 years ▾
2003 Acura CL
2 production runs + 1 modified Avg 0–60 5.90 sec
Avg ¼ Mile 14.55 sec
Production Tests 2+1 mod
#01
2003 Acura CL 3.2CL Type-S Coupe
5.90sec 0–60
14.60s ¼ mi @ 98.0 mph
▾
- 0–60 mph
- 5.90 sec
- ¼ Mile ET
- 14.60 sec
- Trap Speed
- 98.0 mph
- Engine
- 3.2L V6
- Drivetrain
- FWD
- Transmission
- 6M
- Horsepower
- 260 hp
- Torque
- 232 lb-ft
- Curb Weight
- 3,495 lbs
- Power-to-Weight
- 13.4 lbs/hp
- MPG EPA
- 17 C / 26 H / 22 Obs
- Production Vehicle
- Body Type
- Coupe
- Powertrain
- Gasoline
- Test Source
- Car and Driver
- Overall Rank
- #1 of 7 production runs
#02
2003 Acura CL 3.2CL Type-S w/Nav Coupe
5.90sec 0–60
14.50s ¼ mi @ 96.0 mph
▾
- 0–60 mph
- 5.90 sec
- ¼ Mile ET
- 14.50 sec
- Trap Speed
- 96.0 mph
- Engine
- 3.2L V6
- Drivetrain
- FWD
- Transmission
- 6M
- Horsepower
- 260 hp
- Torque
- 232 lb-ft
- Curb Weight
- 3,488 lbs
- Power-to-Weight
- 13.4 lbs/hp
- MPG EPA
- 17 C / 26 H
- Production Vehicle
- Body Type
- Coupe
- Powertrain
- Gasoline
- Test Source
- MotorWeek
- Overall Rank
- #2 of 7 production runs
MOD
2003 Acura CL Comptech Supercharged 3.2CL Type-S Coupe
5.70sec 0–60
14.20s ¼ mi @ 104.0 mph
▾
- 0–60 mph
- 5.70 sec
- ¼ Mile ET
- 14.20 sec
- Trap Speed
- 104.0 mph
- Engine
- 3.2L Supercharger V6
- Drivetrain
- FWD
- Transmission
- 6M
- Horsepower
- 310 hp
- Torque
- 250 lb-ft
- Curb Weight
- 3,475 lbs
- Power-to-Weight
- 11.2 lbs/hp
- Production Vehicle
- Body Type
- Coupe
- Powertrain
- Gasoline
- Test Source
- Car and Driver
- Tuner
- Comptech
- Overall Rank
- Unranked — modified or prototype
How we verify Acura CL performance data
Records and averages on this page cover verified production runs only; modified and prototype results are listed by year but never folded into them. We include only independently published road-test results from automotive publications. Manufacturer-claimed 0–60 times are excluded unless clearly labeled. When multiple publications test the same Acura CL trim, each run is listed separately — weather, tires, surface, rollout, and instrumentation all affect results.
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Acura CL 0–60 and quarter-mile distribution
0–60 vs ¼ mile · lower-left is fasterEach dot is a verified production test run
0–60 → ¼ mile →
Fastest Recorded run Slowest
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Acura CL performance FAQs
10 questions For 2003 Acura CL models, the stock 3.2CL Type-S Coupe and 3.2CL Type-S w/Nav Coupe both reach 60 mph in 5.9 seconds. The quickest 2003 CL on record is the heavily modified Comptech Supercharged 3.2CL Type-S Coupe at 5.7 seconds.
The fastest Acura CL on record is the 2003 Comptech Supercharged 3.2CL Type-S Coupe, which runs 0-60 in 5.7 seconds and the quarter-mile in 14.2 seconds at 104 mph. That car is heavily modified, so it is not the quickest stock CL.
The fastest stock Acura CL on record is the 2003 3.2CL Type-S Coupe at 5.9 seconds from 0-60 mph. The 2003 3.2CL Type-S w/Nav Coupe matches that 5.9-second time, making the Type-S the quickest production-spec CL configuration tested.
The Acura 3.2CL Type-S Coupe posts a best 0-60 time of 5.9 seconds in stock form. Across three Type-S Coupe tests, the average 0-60 time is 6.37 seconds. For 2003, both the standard Type-S and the w/Nav version recorded 5.9-second runs.
The YA4 second-generation Acura CL, sold from 2001 to 2003, averages 0-60 in 6.14 seconds across five tests. The quickest YA4 is the 2003 Comptech Supercharged 3.2CL Type-S Coupe at 5.7 seconds, while the fastest stock YA4 reaches 60 mph in 5.9 seconds.
The fastest YA4 Acura CL is the 2003 Comptech Supercharged 3.2CL Type-S Coupe with a 5.7-second 0-60 time. If you only want a stock YA4, the 2003 3.2CL Type-S Coupe and 3.2CL Type-S w/Nav Coupe both do 0-60 in 5.9 seconds.
The YA1 first-generation Acura CL, covering 1997 to 1999, averages 0-60 in 8.6 seconds across three tests. The quickest YA1 is the 1999 3.0CL Coupe at 7.3 seconds, while the slowest CL overall is also from this generation: the 1997 2.2CL Premium Coupe at 9.6 seconds.
In 0-60 testing, the 2003 Acura 3.2CL Type-S Coupe and 3.2CL Type-S w/Nav Coupe are tied at 5.9 seconds. Their quarter-mile results are also close: 14.6 seconds at 98 mph for the Type-S Coupe and 14.5 seconds at 96 mph for the w/Nav model.
The quickest recorded Acura 3.0CL is the 1999 3.0CL Coupe, which reaches 60 mph in 7.3 seconds. That places it well ahead of the slowest CL results from the 2.2CL Premium Coupe, but still behind the later 3.2CL Type-S models that cut the 0-60 time to 5.9 seconds.
Across all eight Acura CL tests, the average quarter-mile time is 15.39 seconds at 92.7 mph. The quickest quarter-mile on record is 14.2 seconds at 104 mph from the heavily modified 2003 Comptech Supercharged 3.2CL Type-S Coupe. The fastest stock result is 14.5 seconds at 96 mph.
Sources
Car and Driver
Motor Trend
MotorWeek
0–60 and quarter-mile times vary with driver, weather, tire temperature, and wear. We collect every verified run we can find — so you see the range of what an Acura CL can do, not a single marketing claim.
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Other Acura 0–60 times
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