Overview
Acura’s smallest and most affordable offering, the Integra resurrects a celebrated nameplate from the brand’s past and affixes it to what is essentially a very nice Honda Civic hatchback. The Integra shares its basic structure with the Honda but gets unique powertrain and suspension tuning, as well as a raft of upscale features. Its 200-hp turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder is shared with the Civic Si, as is the six-speed manual transmission. Buyers not interested in a clutch pedal get a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) instead, which isn't offered in the Civic Si at all.
Edmunds spotlight: Upside-down pricing
Opposite from the pricing of nearly every other vehicle to offer a manual transmission, the stick is the more expensive option in the Integra — and it’s a lot more expensive. But Acura isn’t exploiting its enthusiast drivers. Opting for the manual also nets buyers the A-Spec and Technology packages, which include features from an adaptive suspension and larger wheels to a larger touchscreen and premium audio system. Accounting for the cost of these two packages, the manual is technically a no-cost option.
Competitors to consider
Its positioning at the bottom of the Acura lineup appears to line the Integra up against cars like the Audi A3, BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe and Mercedes-Benz CLA, which it undercuts significantly in price. But the Integra’s size is closer to that of the A4, 3 Series and C-Class, extending the value play. But the cost question cuts both ways, as the Integra struggles to justify its premium against the mechanically similar and more fun-to-drive Honda Civic Si. The 320-hp Integra Type S, which we review separately, is vastly more expensive than the base Integra but gives the compact hatchback a much-needed dose of personality.