The 2026 Acura Integra Type S is the shot of adrenaline that the brand has needed for so long. It's a gorgeous hot hatch that strikes a wonderful balance between sport compact and entry-level luxury. Think of it as a more mature, refined take on the Honda Civic Type R.Read full review
Acura's 2026 Integra is its entry-level model is one of the most affordable ways to get behind the wheel of a luxury car, but don't expect too much in terms of luxury. The Integra instead provides a fun driving experience and plenty of practicality thanks to spacious seating and the large cargo area under its hatchback. It also offers a six-speed manual transmission, a rare option in the luxury world. The 320-horsepower Type S model is a performance powerhouse that's mechanically similar to the Honda Civic Type R. Although its 2026 updates aren't extensive, they make the Integra a more enticing option.
Edmunds Expert Rating
edmunds TESTED
Driven, tested, rated by automotive expert Clint Simone
Good
6.9
out of 10
We drove the 2026 Acura Integra on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.
Driving experience
8.1/10
How does it drive? The Integra Type S isn't about blazing speed. Its slowish 0-60 sprint of 5.7 seconds is the result of it being difficult to launch off the line. Unless you get it absolutely right, you're either bogging the engine or spinning the front tires. Rivals with automatic transmissions like the VW Golf R and Audi S3 will leave it for dead off the line.
In every other performance respect, the Type S shines. It posted a short 60-0 mph stopping distance of 105 feet and a very grippy 1.04 g when circling our skidpad. The front-wheel-drive layout is a rarity in this segment, but it's somehow not a hindrance for the Type S. It's still agile through the corners with insane grip levels and direct steering feedback. The manual certainly helps, but the Type S generally feels more raw and connected to the road than any of its German rivals. It's also surprisingly comfortable, especially when compared to the mechanically related Honda Civic Type R.
The number of driving aids is minimal, but that's partly because some can't inherently work with a manual transmission. Adaptive cruise control does, however, which isn't always the case (you can't pair ACC with a manual in a Porsche 911, for example).
Comfort
7.5/10
View interior photos
How comfortable is it? Much of the Integra's interior is borrowed from the Honda Civic, which, for the purposes of this rating section, is mostly a good thing. The shared physical controls are within an easy reach and make sense. Backseat headroom is a little less than the Civic's, but its cabin space is similarly very good for a compact sedan and even better when compared to the small luxury sedans with which it competes. Rear legroom in particular is very good, for adults and child seats.
In terms of the driving position, it doesn't get much better than this despite offering only the typical eight-way adjustment range. It feels very upright even though you're sitting low in the car with easy access to the gear shift and center controls. The steering wheel tilts and telescopes to perfection.
In-cabin tech
5/10
How’s the tech? The Integra's 9-inch infotainment screen is undersized compared to what you'll find in most other rivals and an obvious reminder of the car's Civic roots. And in our testing, we also found that the 16-speaker ELS sound system lacked the power and rich sound of the systems in Acura's TLX and MDX. Wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration is included, but our test car's wireless phone charging pad did a better job of heating our phone than charging it.
Storage & cargo
8.6/10
How’s storage and cargo? The Acura Integra's hatchback cargo area is not only more voluminous than those of its various sedan competitors (as well as the Volkswagen Golf R), it's far more versatile as well. This is a serious added bonus for a small performance car. The seats fold down in a 60/40 split, and the cargo area itself is deep and wide.
In the cabin, there are plenty of cubbies and bins, highlighted by the center console between the front seats, which has storage space both ahead of the shifter and behind it as well as underneath the armrest. The generous rear legroom also lends itself to car seat installation — we clipped a rear-facing seat into the rear center position with no impact to front passengers in terms of seat positioning.
Value
6.3/10
Is it a good value? The Integra Type S has a basic interior for a luxury car. If you just test-drove an Audi S3, for example, the Integra will likely feel low-rent. Everything is screwed together well, but there's an awful lot of Honda Civic parts inside. They're great for a Civic but less so when compared to an Audi or Mercedes.
Otherwise, the Integra Type S is priced fairly. An Audi S3 starts a few thousand cheaper but can end up a lot more expensive when well equipped. On the flip side, the BMW M340i is more expensive but also comes with a good bit more power than the Acura.
Acura offers a four-year/50,000-mile warranty and two years of scheduled maintenance with roadside assistance. This is good for a luxury car.
MPG
5/10
How’s the fuel economy? The Acura Integra Type S gets an EPA-estimated 24 mpg combined. That is already a decent figure for a performance car, and we managed to get an impressive 28 mpg on our real-world test route. The only downside is the requirement for premium fuel, but that is par for the course in this segment.
X factor
10/10
Luxury performance cars tend to follow a specific recipe, and the Integra Type S defies it in the best ways possible. The manual-only, connected driving experience and sleek standout styling make this car a true enthusiast machine. For buyers who find the Civic Type R just a bit too extreme, the softer-riding and less aggressively styled Integra Type S will definitely hit the spot.
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2026 Acura Integra Type S pricing in Des Moines, IA
Buying Tips for the 2026 Acura Integra for October
The 2026 Acura Integra is one of those rare new cars where the numbers line up in your favor, with about $2,100 off MSRP based on recent transaction prices and plenty of new inventory on the ground.
You can save about $2,100 on a new Integra. There are no general customer rebates, so that discount is the real total savings. The Base trim is the stronger value play at roughly 6% off MSRP, while the Type S is seeing only about $800 off.
Acura has about 2,161 new Integras listed nationally, so supply is plentiful. That gives you more room to shop dealers against each other, though the much smaller Type S supply means less flexibility if that’s the one you want.
Financing is a real highlight here, with promotional APR as low as 2.99% for 48 or 60 months for qualified buyers. That is far below typical market rates, so taking the special APR could save you thousands over the life of the loan.
New Integras are taking about 36 days to sell, which is slower than the 29-day market average for new vehicles. That softer pace should help your negotiating position, and a lease around $437 a month with about $3,532 due at signing gives you a useful benchmark.
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2026 Acura Integra trim level differences
The 2026 Acura Integra is a four-door hatchback that is available in four trim levels: Base, A-Spec, A-Spec with Technology package and Type S. The Base and A-Spec versions are powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter 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 A-Spec with the Technology package. The performance-focused Type S swaps out that powertrain for a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (320 hp, 310 lb-ft) and a standard six-speed manual transmission. An automatic isn't offered on the Type S. Compare the 2026 Acura Integra trim levels in-depth.
Trim we recommend
Get the Integra in its A-Spec with Technology package configuration. It's less expensive than rival luxury sedans and comes with every available option outside of the Type S' performance upgrades. It's also the only model that offers the six-speed manual transmission besides the Type S.
Competitors to consider
The Acura Integra is about the size of compact luxury sedans like the BMW 3 Series, Audi A5 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. But because it's not as refined as and is less powerful than those rivals, the Integra is significantly more affordable. It's priced closer to the smaller Audi A3 and BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe sedans but still undercuts their pricing by a sizable amount. If you don't need the Acura badge, consider the Honda Civic Si. It costs a few grand less and has the same engine, but it's only available with the six-speed manual. The Type S goes up against other luxury compact performance models like the Audi S3 and BMW M240i. For a full rundown on the Integra, check out our test team's Expert Rating below.
Edmunds spotlight: The 2026 Integra's updates
The majority of the Integra's updates come in the form of standard tech. A 9-inch center touchscreen, a wireless smartphone charger, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity used to be optional but are now standard on all 2026 models. That's great if you're aiming for the base model. A new color-matched grille is exclusive to the new Double Apex Blue Pearl and Performance Red Pearl colors and is optional on the new Urban Gray Pearl and Platinum White Pearl. All other colors have a more traditional gloss black grille. The A-Spec model receives a new exterior styling kit, along with new 18-inch wheels. Upgraded interior ambient lighting is also new for the A-Spec. The Integra's 200-hp engine remains unchanged.
Overall, owner sentiment is mixed. Owners love the Integra’s fun driving feel, good looks, roomy inside, and strong phone and sound features. Some owners say it rides rough, feels cheap in places, and has annoying rattles or other quality problems. A few owners also had seat comfort and connection issues with their phones.
This summary is AI-generated from the text of owner reviews
2026 Acura Integra Type S 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
Best manual transmission car on the market besides a Porsche gt3 . This vehicle punches well above its weight limit. Maybe it doesn’t have the straight line speed as some of its competitors, but take this car around one corner and you’ll know it’s something special. Anybody who gives this car a bad review does not belong behind the steering wheel.
Who Makes the Best Entry-Level Sport Sedan? Lexus vs. Acura
Which entry-level luxury sport sedan dominates on the track? We pit the new 2026 Acura Integra Type S against the Lexus IS 350 F Sport to see which one delivers true performance.
The Edmunds experts tested the 2026 Integra both on the road and at the track, giving it a 6.9 out of 10. What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the Integra has 24.3 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Acura Integra. Learn more
What's new in the 2026 Acura Integra?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2026 Acura Integra:
Standard 9-inch center touchscreen with wireless smartphone connectivity
New colors and optional body-color grille
Body kit for A-Spec models
Part of the fifth Integra generation introduced for 2023
To determine whether the Acura Integra is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the Integra. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the Integra's average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2026 Acura Integra a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2026 Acura Integra is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2026 Integra and gave it a 6.9 out of 10. Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2026 Integra is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2026 Acura Integra?
The least-expensive 2026 Acura Integra is the 2026 Acura Integra Type S 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $53,900.
Other versions include:
Type S 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M) which starts at $53,900
If you're interested in the Acura Integra, the next question is, which Integra model is right for you? Integra variants include Type S 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M). For a full list of Integra models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more