It's been a long time since Acura produced the Integra, a hatchback dating back to the brand's debut year of 1986. The early Integras gained a loyal following of drivers seeking performance on a budget. It's understandable that the new 2023 Acura Integra has a lot of hype surrounding it. A small four-door hatchback that's based on the latest-generation Honda Civic, the new Integra is an entry-level model in the Acura lineup that promises a bit of driving fun, some mild luxury and some nameplate cachet. Does it deliver? Sort of.
The new Integra uses the same turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that you'll find under the hood of the Honda Civic Si. Like the Si, the Integra produces 200 horsepower and 192 lb-ft of torque. Unlike the Civic Si, however, the Integra comes standard with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) as standard. On the top trim level, the Integra is available with a six-speed manual as a no-cost option. Inside, the Integra's interior is nearly identical to the current Civic's. There are some more upscale material choices, but the steering wheel, climate controls and infotainment screen are all identical to those in the Civic.
On one hand, there are worse cars than the Civic to be based on. But ultimately the Integra doesn't distinguish itself enough from the Honda yet it costs several thousand dollars more. If the new Integra had a more powerful engine or some other performance advantage, that price might be easier to stomach. As it is, we're more inclined to recommend you take a look at the Audi A3 or other sporty hatchbacks that include the Mazda 3 and Volkswagen Golf GTI. Check out our test team's Expert Rating below for our full evaluation of the new Integra.
The 2023 Acura Integra is a four-door hatchback that is available in three trim levels: Base, A-Spec and A-Spec with Technology package. It's powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine (200 horsepower, 192 lb-ft of torque) that is paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that drives the front wheels. A six-speed manual transmission is optional on the top trim only. Feature highlights for each trim include:
The Integra is based on the Civic Si and, in this sibling rivalry, the Civic Si is the clear winner. Both have identical engines and a manual transmission is available too. The top-trim Integra has adaptive dampers that aren't offered on the Civic, but otherwise the Honda delivers a lot of the same Acura goodness at a much lower price.
The Mazda is a remarkably fun-to-drive hatchback that delivers more power from its stout turbocharged engine. Despite costing several thousand dollars less than the Integra, the Mazda has a very refined interior with materials that are much nicer than you’d expect from the class. On top of that, you can also get it with all-wheel drive.
The Audi A3 sedan compares favorably to the Integra. The A3 may not have a manual transmission option like the Integra, but it's still fun to drive. It's also quicker (it's a second quicker to 60 mph) and comes standard with all-wheel drive, something Acura doesn't offer at all. The downside is the price — the A3's starting price is in line with the top Integra model.
The Integra has been around as long as Acura itself. Since the brand launched in 1986, the Integra nameplate has graced four generations of two- and four-door hatchbacks, as well as the occasional four-door sedan. No matter what year of Integra history you choose from, you were always assured to get a small, lightweight and sporty front-wheel-drive car.
The new Integra uses the same turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that you'll find under the hood of the Honda Civic Si. Like the Si, the Integra produces 200 horsepower and 192 lb-ft of torque. Unlike the Civic Si, however, the Integra comes standard with an automatic continuously variable transmission (CVT) as standard. On the top trim level, the Integra is available with a six-speed manual as a no-cost option. According to Acura, manuals currently account for 65% of Integra orders, a rarity in a world that's switching almost exclusively to automatic transmissions.
During our test of the Integra, we spent some time in a CVT-equipped test car, but it wasn't as fun as the Integra with the manual. The CVT provides some simulated shifts, and paddle shifters are mounted to the steering wheel to make you feel like you're part of the action, but it doesn't light the same fire.
Our test vehicle was a top-trim A-Spec with Technology package Integra. That means it was equipped with 12-way power-adjustable front seats with power-adjustable lumbar support and adaptive suspension dampers. The seats, trimmed with microsuede and unique stitching, are excellent. Even after several hours behind the wheel, there was no fatigue. The seats are easy to set up for any driving position thanks to an impressive range of adjustability.
The Integra's interior is nearly identical to the current Civic's, with the biggest change coming in the form of the Acura's standard 10.2-inch digital instrument panel. Little touches, including a digital caricature of the Integra and unique graphics, make the IP unique to Acura. The rest of the interior changes amount to some more upscale material choices, unique seats, and an upholstery color choice of red, black or white.
The Integra comes standard with a 7-inch infotainment display and an eight-speaker audio system. Every Integra also includes safety systems such as blind-spot monitoring, forward collision mitigation, adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assist technology. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, but you'll have to connect your phone via USB cable to use these features. Blind-spot monitoring is a bit aggressive when providing warnings, but adaptive cruise control keeps a reasonable following distance and there weren't any false emergency-braking alarms during our drive.
Thanks to its hatchback design, the Integra outpaces almost all of its rivals in terms of cargo space. In the back, it offers 24.3 cubic feet of cargo space. For comparison, the Civic hatchback has slightly more at 24.5 cubes. The Mazda 3 hatchback has 20 cubes to work with, but rival entry-level luxury sedans such as the Audi A3 and the Mercedes-Benz A 220 offer less than half that, with just 10.9 and 8.6 cubes, respectively.
While we weren't able to test the EPA figures during our First Drive of the Integra, the numbers are respectable at first glance. The Integra gets an estimated 33 mpg combined (30 city/37 highway). A-Spec models are a bit lower; the A-Spec trim with the CVT gets 32 mpg combined (29 city/36 highway), while the manual A-Spec comes in at 30 mpg combined (26 city/36 highway). These numbers are about average for the class, but note that several all-wheel-drive rivals fall below 30 mpg combined.
Edmunds saysThe new Integra is not the iconic, high-revving two-door coupe that still lives on in collective memory, but we knew that long before we got behind the wheel. It's a practical, entry-level luxury hatchback that offers a bit of fun if you're willing to shell out the cash for a premium model. It's fun to drive, it has lots of space for your stuff in the trunk, and the interior is excellent. Luxury European rivals offer a slightly more premium experience but with a higher price tag, while the Integra easily outclasses mainstream rivals like the Mazda 3. So, if you properly set your expectations for the Integra, you won't likely be disappointed.
Historically, the Integra has been Acura's small, lightweight front-wheel-drive sport coupe. But the last time an Integra was sold in the United States was 2006, and a lot has changed since then. The market has swung heavily in favor of SUVs and away from sports cars like the Integra, and electrification isn't just on the horizon, it's already here.
So after a 16-year hiatus, the Integra will finally make its return for 2023. But we don't expect it to be a carbon copy of the sport coupe that was so loved by so many. Instead the Integra will likely be a sports car for a new generation of buyers. It will also serve as Acura's new halo model, a role that was once occupied by the NSX supercar. Wait, an entry-level halo car? In short, yes.
Acura has said the new Integra will preview certain design elements that will carry forward to other Acura models in the future. But with the Integra still so far away, what we don't know is what the Integra will be based on, what will lie under the hood, whether it will offer front- or all-wheel drive (or both), or if it will even be a coupe. There are some solid guesses we can pull from Acura's (and Honda's) current lineup, however.
Since the Integra has historically been based on the Civic, it’s more than likely the new Integra will follow that blueprint. That’s good news, because the current Civic is much better to drive than it needs to be. Having solid bones to work with is key, and the Civic's platform is an excellent starting point. It's also worth noting that the 11th-generation Civic's platform is based on the 10th-gen car's architecture, a platform that once featured a coupe. With no 11th-generation Civic coupe coming, it's entirely possible that the Integra will be the car that slots into this gap.
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2023 Acura Integra:
The least-expensive 2023 Acura Integra is the 2023 Acura Integra 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $31,300.
Other versions include:
