LIKES
- Good looks
- Good price
- Good standard features
- No infotainment touchpad
- 6-speed manual option
DISLIKES
- Bring on the Type S
- CVT
- Adequate turbo-4
BUYING TIP
- To get the best goodies—adaptive dampers and a manual transmission—you have to opt for the top model, but thankfully it’s not too expensive.
.What kind of vehicle is the 2023 Acura Integra? What does it compare to?
Dusting off a nameplate last used in the early 2000s, Acura resurrects the Integra as a five-door hatchback. It shares many mechanicals with the Honda Civic Si, but rivals range from the Volkswagen GTI to the BMW 2-Series Gran Coupe.
Is the 2023 Acura Integra a good car?
The Integra marks a return to form for Acura’s compact car after the underwhelming ILX sedan. It’s now fun to drive, and reasonably quick, and more spacious. It earns a TCC Rating of 6.8 out of 10.
What's new for the 2023 Acura Integra?
First launched in 1986, the Integra phased into the RSX for the 2002 model year, before the RSX was shelved in 2006. Even though Acura still uses similar three-letter naming conventions across the lineup (TLX, RDX, MDX, NSX), the Integra stands on its own historic name.
Inside, the Integra refuses to adopt the brand’s trackpad infotainment interface, opting for an easier-to-use touchscreen instead. Right call. It starts out at a small 7.0 inches and a 9.0-inch version is available. The screen sits on an attractive layered dash and teams with a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster and an available 5.3-inch head-up display. A longer wheelbase and the switch to a hatchback body style both improve interior space over the ILX. Cargo room almost doubles, and the rear seat adds leg room versus its predecessor, but this still isn’t a comfortable back seat.
For now, before the hopeful addition of a Type S variant, the Integra uses the same 1.5-liter turbo-4 that powers the Civic Si. It makes 200 hp and 192 lb-ft of torque, and pairs with a CVT with paddle shifters as standard. A 6-speed manual is available and it comes with a helical limited-slip differential for more grip in and out of turns. Three drive modes add some variability to throttle response and steering heft, and the Integra shares components of the Civic’s independent suspension, with MacPherson struts up front and a multi-link setup in back. Unlike the redesigned Civic, the Integra comes with adaptive dampers on the A-Spec with Technology Package grade.
Acura equips the Integra with several driver-assist features, including standard automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitors, adaptive cruise control, and active lane control. It hasn’t been crash tested yet, but the related 2022 Honda Civic aced crash tests from the NHTSA and the IIHS.
How much does the 2023 Acura Integra cost?
The base model starts at $31,895, including a $1,095 destination fee. Standard features include 17-inch wheels, a sunroof, synthetic leather upholstery, heated front seats, a power driver seat, and a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster and 7.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Integra ranges up to $36,895 for the A-Spec with Technology Package model, which marks the only way to get the manual transmission and adaptive dampers. Let’s hope we get the Type S as well.
Where is the 2023 Acura Integra made?
In Marysville, Ohio, alongside the Acura TLX.
Styling
Acura is honing in on good styling, and the family look works well on the compact hatchback Integra.
Is the Acura Integra a good-looking car?
The Integra’s look definitely runs in the family, with the brand’s five-sided grille up front and familiar creases along the body. The rear end pays homage to the RSX and previous Integras, but the hatch’s gradual slope gives the car a fastback look rather than the pure hatchback styling of the past. We rate it a 6 here, adding a point for its overall exterior design.
Dubbed a liftback, the five-door hatchback is shaped like a sedan with a distinctive rounded end, like a smaller take on the Kia Stinger and any number of cars from Audi. Like the Acura TLX, the Integra sports a longish dash-to-axle ratio with a low cowl and a long hood that dips low into its crest-shaped grille. The front end is busy with creases and cuts, and the running lights sport a distinct kink in the corners that Acura calls “Chicane.” The grille flows outward into the LED headlights before wrapping around the body to the short deck lid and LED taillights.
The interior merges Acura’s stylish layered dash and snazzy 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster with aluminum mesh vents that work so well in the Civic, underscored by climate control dials. Acura’s touchpad infotainment interface isn’t welcome here, as a touchscreen is used instead. That’s more than welcome. The look is subdued in Ebony, but Graystone, Orchid, and especially Red add contrast and visual vibrancy.
Performance
The Integra has a connected, substantial feel on the road that teams with agile moves to earn a 7 here.
Is the Acura Integra AWD?
No, like it has been since 1986, it has only front-wheel drive.
How fast is the Acura Integra?
The other choice is a CVT with seven simulated gear ratios. The transmission slurs during its stepped gear changes when pushed, though a Sport mode for the transmission makes the slurs seem three drinks in rather than five. In normal commuting, however, the CVT fades into the background and will neither annoy nor delight drivers.
The feel behind the wheel is the Integra’s greatest strength, especially in the A-Spec with Technology Package model with its adaptive dampers. Acura gets the balance between ride quality and agility right. The Integra feels planted, so much so that it seems heavier than its sub-3,100-lb curb weight would suggest. The adaptive dampers smooth out bumps, even in their Sport setting while contributing to the car’s agility.
While it’s fun to toss the Integra around on a twisty road, even with the lighter, less-connected feel of base cars without those dampers, the Integra isn’t a performance car. The 235/40R18 tires have only decent grip in spirited cornering, and the brakes are too small for long periods of canyon carving or track driving.
Comfort & Quality
The switch to a hatchback body style is a boon for the Integra’s interior space.
The Integra’s cabin benefits from comfortable front seats and a spacious rear cargo area, but the rear seat is compromised despite plenty of leg room. We rate it a 6 here.
Acura outfits the ILX with nicely bolstered seats with standard 8-way power adjustments for the driver. The A-Spec adds 4-way lumbar adjustments for better back support, and basic 4-way power passenger seat adjustments. The front row has good room in all dimensions for larger or smaller drivers.
The rear seat boasts a generous 37.4 inches of leg room, but the seat bottoms sit too low to provide the thigh support needed for long trip comfort. The Integra seats five, but the Integra isn’t wide enough for three adults tol fit in the back comfortably.
Interior materials fit the class. Soft-touch surfaces cover the armrests, door panels, and dash, but nothing here goes the extra mile to indicate pure luxury.
Safety
Acura outfits the Integra with plenty of safety features and expects top crash-test ratings.
How safe is the 2023 Integra?
That’s yet to be determined, but we don’t doubt it will get top safety ratings. In the meantime, it comes with lots of safety features. They include automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alerts, adaptive cruise control, active lane control, road-departure mitigation, traffic sign recognition, and traffic jam assist that can control the steering, brakes, and throttle in some low-speed situations.
Features
The 2023 Acura Integra is a good entry-luxury value outfitted with the right features.
Every Integra comes with a healthy set of features and represents a good value for a premium car. Add in an easy-to-use infotainment system and a good warranty, and the Integra scores a 9 here.
Acura offers the Integra in base, A-Spec, and A-Spec with Technology Package models. The $31,895 base model comes standard with synthetic leather upholstery, an 8-way power-adjustable driver seat, heated front seats, a 7.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster, an 8-speaker audio system, and 17-inch alloy wheels.
The $33,895 A-Spec model adds 18-inch wheels, LED fog lights, and an A-Spec Appearance Package with matte and gloss-black exterior trim, including a rear spoiler, and stainless steel pedals and contrast stitching inside.
The best driving car is the $36,895 Integra A-Spec with Technology Package. The A-Spec bits include a 6-speed manual with a front limited-slip differential as a no-cost alternative to the CVT, and a sport-tuned suspension with adaptive dampers. The technology features consist of a 9.0-inch touchscreen, wireless smartphone charging, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, built-in Amazon Alexa commands, a head-up display, and an ELS Studio audio system with 16 speakers and 530 watts of power. It also gets synthetic suede seat inserts, a 12-way power driver seat with memory, a 4-way power passenger seat, remote starting with the CVT, ambient lighting, and front and rear parking sensors.
How much is a fully loaded Acura Integra?
It’s the same price as the A-Spec with Technology Package model. Acura offers no options but does have a full range of dealer-installed accessories for the Integra.
Acura Integra infotainment
Rejoice, for the Integra has a touchscreen rather than Acura’s somewhat frustrating trackpad infotainment interface. The base screen is small and even the 9.0-inch screen feels like it’s on the small side these days. Both screens are set close to the driver and are simple to control. We like it so far, but we’ve only used Apple CarPlay. We’ll add more impressions after we get to live with the Integra for a longer period.
Fuel Economy
The Acura Integra goes easy on gas while still offering good power.
Is the Acura Integra good on gas?
The Integra gets just one engine with a choice of a CVT or manual transmission. We rate it a 6 here for the 30 mpg city, 37 highway, 33 combined EPA rating for the CVT.
CVT fuel economy drops slightly to 29/36/32 mpg in the A-Spec model. Opt for the manual and the ratings fall to 26/36/30 mpg.
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