The 2002 CL is available in two versions, both of which are very well equipped. In fact, only one option is available: Acura's $2,000 DVD-based Global Positioning Satellite navigation system.
3.2 CL ($28,030) comes with all the features buyers expect in a more expensive luxury car. Standard equipment includes antilock brakes, traction control, front and side airbags, auto-on Xenon high-intensity discharge headlights, remote keyless entry, heated outside mirrors, leather seating with eight-way power for the driver and four-way power for the front passenger, wood trim, automatic climate controls, Bose audio with a six-disc CD changer in the dash, an adjustable steering column and a power moonroof. CL Type-S ($30,380) comes with more horsepower, a suspension tuned for more responsive handling, and an electronic stability program.

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Both models are powered by Honda's 3.2-liter V6. The standard CL makes 225 horsepower, which is a lot of power for this class. The Type S, thanks a number of subtle engine tweaks, makes an even more impressive 260 horsepower. New equipment for the 2002 model year includes "diffuser" side mirrors, thicker moonroof glass to reduce wind noise and three new exterior colors.

A coupe is supposed to look sexy, or at least a bit racy compared to the typical sedan. The CL may not be avant-garde in its styling, but it's clean and attractive. Sexy? We'll let the buyer decide. The CL shares mechanical components with Acura's mid-size TL near-luxury sedan, but none of the TL's body panels. The coupe is lower, with a longer hood and shorter rear deck than the sedan. Measured by finish quality, the 3.2 CL is a gem. Panels and seams on our test car matched flawlessly, and the paint had a deep luster.
The CL follows Acura's proven chassis layout: front-wheel drive with wishbone-type fully independent strut suspension and disc brakes at all four wheels. Structural enhancements inside the CL's body shell are designed to reduce noise, vibration and harshness. There's a fiberglass liner under the hood, asphalt sheeting in strategic areas around the cabin and electrically controlled hydraulic engine mounts that vary dampening rates at different engine speeds. Even the new glass in the moonroof contributes to a quieter interior. Acura's engineers claim the 3.2 CL is quieter than the Volvo C70, Mercedes-Benz CLK.

Type-S gets larger 17-inch aluminum wheels with Michelin all-season tires. Its springs and shock absorbers are stiffer than the standard CL's. Acura's Vehicle Stability Assist system, exclusive to the Type-S, automatically applies the brake at one corner to tighten the trajectory of either the front or rear end in skid-inducing driving conditions.

Both CLs feature a five-speed automatic transmission with a sequential shift slot that allows a driver to manually click through the gears. A manual trans-mission will be available on 2003 models. Every CL comes with features that aren't always expected below the $40,000 barrier. Both front seats feature seat-position memory; the mirrors are linked to this system as well. All CLs have heated front seats, a sunroof, Xenon headlamps and a six-disc, no-magazine in-dash CD changer.