I don't follow Consumer Reports as bible but many buyers do.
The CL is not listed in any of the detailed areas of the current car issue. It is only listed in the main car listings (It is FIRST however), and one other place. There isn't even really that many areas for sporty coupes in this size.

They do not recommend the CL, but do recommend all the other Acura models, it's obvious on the first page of cars. The Solara gets recommended, and is marked as considerably more reliable.
Reliability on the CL gets an average.

They don't give any details on why it is rated less than the other Acuras and Toyotas, I can only assume they are going off the rattle comments and transmission probs. The 02 rating is actually a little lower than the 01! No details are mentioned or indicated specifically. The CL is basically ignored. Too bad.

 

Ah well...2001 first year model....thats what we get...we have more road noise than the 02 and 03 models cuz of those gargantuan mirrors we have...

 

I can't tell you just how PLEASED I am with my CLS ! 57K and going strong......However the tranny issue didn't help.....

 

CR hates coupes or anything that sacrifices any functionality for form no matter how trivial. They'll complain about the length of the doors, and how hard it is to get to the back seat. They prefer Camry's and Accord sedans.