Acura 3.2CL MPG by year — every rating on record
The Acura 3.2CL has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 3 model years, from 2001 to 2003. Across those years its best rated version returned 21 mpg (2002) and its thirstiest returned 20 mpg (2001). The EPA record holds 4 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Compact Cars.
Year-by-year EPA ratings
| Model year | Configurations | Best combined | Worst combined | Class rank that year | Drivetrains | Fuel | EPA class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 1 | 20 mpg | 20 mpg | #46 of 62 (26th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars |
| 2002 | 1 | 21 mpg | 21 mpg | #38 of 64 (41th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars |
| 2003 | 2 | 21 mpg | 20 mpg | #38 of 64 (41th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars |
Where it has stood in its class
Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The Acura 3.2CL placed highest in 2002 at #38 of 64, and lowest in 2001 at #46 of 62. It spent 0 of its 3 ranked years in the top half of its class.
Every configuration on record
All 4 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.
| Year | Configuration | Engine detail | City | Highway | Combined | Gallons/yr | Barrels/yr | EPA fuel cost/yr | CO2 g/mi | GHG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 3.2L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Premium | VTEC | 17 | 26 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,900 | 444.35 | n/a |
| 2003 | 3.2L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (S5) Premium | VTEC | 17 | 27 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $3,700 | 423.1904761904762 | n/a |
| 2002 | 3.2L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (S5) Premium | SOHC-VTEC | 17 | 27 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $3,700 | 423.1904761904762 | n/a |
| 2001 | 3.2L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (S5) Premium | SOHC-VTEC | 17 | 27 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,900 | 444.35 | n/a |
How the rating has moved between model years
Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 1 of 1 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.
| Change | Best combined | Delta | Gallons a year at the newer rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 → 2002 | 20 → 21 mpg | +1 mpg | 548 gal |
What 3.2CL fuel costs over a year
At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2003 Acura 3.2CL burns 548 to 575 gallons depending on configuration. Below is what that costs at three pump prices, and how much more the thirstiest configuration costs than the most efficient one.
| Pump price | Most efficient | Thirstiest | Spread |
|---|---|---|---|
| $3.00/gal | $1,643 | $1,725 | $82 |
| $3.50/gal | $1,917 | $2,013 | $96 |
| $4.00/gal | $2,190 | $2,300 | $110 |
EPA’s own estimate for the 2003 model year is $3,700 to $3,900 a year in fuel, or $8,250 more than the average new vehicle over five years.
How it compares with other Compact Cars
Across the 498 nameplates EPA classifies as Compact Cars, the median best combined rating is 26 mpg. At 21 mpg the Acura 3.2CL is 5 mpg below the median, which is worth about $369 a year at $3.50 a gallon.
- All Compact Cars rankings — every nameplate in the class, best to worst.
Other Acura nameplates
Every Acura model compared → — all nameplates ranked by best combined rating, with what each one costs a year.