2023 Acura Integra

　　

2023 Acura Integra Review

byMark TakahashiCorrespondent

　　Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the zzdcar YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.

　　, rating written byMark TakahashiDirector of Content Strategy

　　Josh Sadlier has worked in the automotive industry since 2008. He has written or edited thousands of expert car reviews and road-tested hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Josh is director of content strategy at zzdcar and has also contributed to Autotrader and Automobile. Under his stewardship, zzdcar' own 1989 Yugo GVL won first place at the Concours d'Lemons, taking home a jar of borscht, a can of beets, a cutting board and a pint of VIP vodka.

　　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.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 Acura Integra 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$143/mo  for Integra Base

　　Integra Base

　　4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT) - $31,300 MSRP4dr Hatchback w/A-Spec Package (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT) - $33,300 MSRP4dr Hatchback w/A-Spec and Technology Packages (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT) (Most Popular) - $36,300 MSRP4dr Hatchback w/A-Spec and Technology Packages (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 6M) - $36,300 MSRP

　　vs

　　$165/mo

　　Avg. Midsize 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 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.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Average

　　7.4

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.5/10

　　How does the Integra drive? We clocked the manual-shift Integra at 7.8 seconds to 60 mph, a disappointing result for an entry-level luxury car. It's also roughly half-second behind the Civic Si, which weighs a hundred pounds less and uses the exact same powertrain. The time would be quicker if second gear didn't top out at about 55 mph, requiring a second shift, but we're talking fractions of a second. In the real world, the Integra's engine feels eager enough once you get past the notable turbo lag.

　　If you stay on it till redline, you'll even hear faint echoes of Honda's rev-happy engines of yore, though this one has the midrange torque that those classic non-turbo engines lacked. It could definitely use more power, though; we're surprised Acura didn't turn up the wick in order to separate the Integra from the Civic Si (or simply to help the Integra to keep up).

　　In our emergency braking test, the Integra needed an adequate 119 feet to stop from 60 mph, pipping a 2022 Audi A3 by 2 feet. Both cars had all-season tires. The Integra, unlike the Civic Si, cannot be equipped with summer tires from the factory, so you'll need to shell out at the local tire shop if you want to unlock better stops.

　　Same goes for the handling — you can feel the inherent goodness in the Integra's chassis during spirited driving, but a quality set of summers would take it to another level. Although the Integra offers the adaptive suspension dampers that the Civic Si gave up for this generation, the difference between modes is subtle unless you're really pushing it. We observed that the car was ultimately less capable on the skidpad in Normal versus Sport, with subjectively more body roll. But in everyday driving you'd be hard-pressed to feel which mode you're in.

　　

Comfort

7.0/10

　　How comfortable is the Integra? The adaptive suspension dampers are not standard on every Integra; you have to go with the A-Spec with Technology package to get them, which naturally inflates the price. Having said that, our A-Spec with Tech test car definitely had a more compliant ride than the non-adaptive Civic Si regardless of suspension mode. It's still on the firm side for a luxury sedan, but it's within range for a car at this price point. The Integra is also quieter inside than the Honda, but that is faint praise indeed. By luxury standards, there's simply too much road noise in this car for comfort.

　　A small but significant selling point for the Acura vis-à-vis the Honda is the former's power-adjustable driver lumbar support, but you must again spring for the A-Spec with Technology package to get it. A further slight to buyers of the lower trim levels is the manual — yes, manual — front passenger seat, which is upgraded to rudimentary four-way power if you decide to go all-in. Seat comfort is decent in general but nothing special, and there is no available upgrade to sport seats. The Integra's A/C didn't wow us either, taking a bit more time than expected to cool down the cabin on an unseasonably hot day (and lacking rear vents to boot).

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below