chicagotribune.com's view

Would a Honda Accord coupe by any other name, ride and handle as sweet? Sure, when you give the Accord coupe a new hood and deck lid, refine the suspension and sell it through the luxury Acura division as the CL coupe.

And that’s what the CL is, a dolled-up Accord built in the U.S. at Honda’s East Liberty, Ohio, plant alongside the Accord to offset the ill effects of currency exchange rates between the yen and dollar.

Thankfully, however, the CL represents more than simple badge engineering. The CL rides a little smoother and handles a little crisper than the Accord coupe.

Where the CL falls short–or perhaps we should say where it temporarily disappoints–is in engine choices. The only powerplant is the 2.2-liter, 145-h.p., 16-valve 4-cylinder. A more muscular 3-liter, 190-h.p.-plus, 24-valve V-6 arrives this fall.

The 2.2 in the car we tested is quiet, but you need to have some patience in getting up to highway speed. There’s not a lot of low-end torque. The 2.2 is designed with mileage in mind, as evidenced by the 23-m.p.g. city/30-m.p.g. highway rating with automatic transmission. With the standard 5-speed manual the rating is 25/32.

Those who want quicker response when pulling out to pass or getting to the end of the merger lane will be advised to wait for the V-6 this fall.

The coupe is pleasantly quiet and surprisingly roomy, even in the back seat–provided you can maneuver past the seat belt in the way of a graceful entrance or exit. It’s a grabber.

On the plus side, dual air bags and ABS are standard. On the minus side, other than the belt barrier to the back, whoever designed the power sunroof opening must have done so after sunset or he would have realized the opening is so far forward that it’s nearly impossible to avoid glare.

One other gripe: Designers who created the CLX concept car that made the auto show rounds in 1995 as a peek of what to expect from the CL were able to salvage the clever Avanti-like deck lid, but caved in to conservative pressure and came up with a front end that looks more like the Acura TL. Too bad.

Base price is $22,910. It will cost another $800 for automatic transmission and $800 for leather seats.

>> 1997 Acura CL Wheelbase: 106.9 inches Length: 190.2 inches Engine: 2.2-liter, 145 h.p., 16-valve, 4-cylinder (5-speed manual transmission standard, 4-speed automatic optional); 3-liter, 190-h.p. plus, 24-valve, V-6 coming this fall (4-speed automatic only) EPA mileage: 25 m.p.g. city/32 m.p.g. highway with manual; 23/30 with automatic. Base price: $22,910. Price as tested: $24,510. Includes$800 for automatic and $800 for premium package that includes leather seats and driver’s seat-back map pocket. Add $495 for freight. Pluses: Du al air bags and ABS standard. Roomy interior for acoupe. Wide supportive seats. Firm but not harsh ride. Quiet operation. Distinctive deck lid treatment. Minuses: Getting past the seatbelt maze to get in/out of rear seat. Sunroof too far forward to prevent glare in cabin. The 2.2-liter is underpowered. With the h.p. and mileage rating of the V-6 vs. the 4-cylinder, we’d wait for the added performance. >>