2026 Acura Integra

Acura tapped into a deep well of '90s nostalgia when it resurrected the Integra nameplate in 2023. Wearing that celebrated badge today is a premium compact four-door hatchback based on the Honda Civic. The new Integra shares its basic underpinnings with the Civic, but it comes standard with the Civic Si's 200-horsepower turbocharged 1.5-liter for a base engine. If you want the most potent Integra, you can upgrade to the Type S; it's a lot more expensive, but with the 320-hp turbo 2.0-liter from the Civic Type R underhood, it's also much more fun to drive. To set it apart from its more mainstream sibling, the Integra comes equipped with more features and an upscale interior. You can also outfit the base model with an automatic transmission, which isn't offered for the Civic Si. For 2026, the Integra will be refreshed with tweaks to its interior and exterior styling, but Acura hasn't detailed the extent of the changes yet.

Edmunds spotlight: Plan on packages

The 2026 Acura Integra is at its best with a six-speed shifter and a left pedal, but the manual transmission is only available with one trim, which Acura calls the A-Spec with Technology package. That options bundle tacks an extra $5,000 onto the base price but does add some other features you'll appreciate. The adaptive suspension, for example, grants the Integra a smoother, more compliant ride. You also get an upgraded 9-inch touchscreen, a premium audio system and larger 18-inch wheels.

Competitors to consider

As Acura's smallest and most affordable car, the Integra squares off against other entry-level subcompact luxury cars, such as the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, Audi A3, and Mercedes-Benz CLA. However, being based on the compact Civic, the Integra is larger than those models and also a fair bit cheaper. And even though it wears an Acura badge and has a more upscale interior than its Honda twin, the Integra will inevitably be cross-shopped with the Civic hatchback on which it's based. In those cases, buyers might have a hard time justifying the Acura's price premium.

Equipped with the optional six-speed manual, the 2026 Acura Integra is loads of fun. But then again, so is the mechanically similar Honda Civic Si, which costs thousands less. The Integra is a fine sport compact, but it doesn't differentiate itself enough from the Civic and also isn't well matched against its entry-luxe rivals.