After nearly two decades in the dark, the Acura Integra is officially back for the 2023 model year. Acura reincarnated the Integra moniker with the yellow-colored pre-production prototype in late 2021 and it got a lot of criticism, primarily for the way it looked. The new Integra, which replaces the old Acura ILX, has always had a close connection with the Honda Civic, folks weren't thrilled with how the upscale Japanese brand resurrected the legendary name for the modern-day. Many viewed the new Integra as simply a product designed to meet Honda's financial targets rather than a car created out of a desire to build a quality yet approachable sport compact. However, a closer look at the spec sheet reveals that the Integra is a fantastic package for the money.
2023 Acura Integra Performance and Capability
Acura Integra Available trims:
- Integra (Base Model)
- A-Spec
- A-Spec with Technology
The 2023 Acura Integra is based on the Honda Civic and both cars share the same platform. This is a good thing because it should provide a superb blend of comfort and sportiness. Now, if the listed power statistics sound familiar, it's because the Integra features the same 1.5-liter VTEC Turbo in-line four-cylinder engine as the Civic Si and it produces the same 200 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque.}
Power goes to the front wheels via a standard CVT. But go for the Technology Package, limited to the higher A-Spec trim, and you’ll get a six-speed manual transmission with rev-matching. This package also comes with a limited-slip differential (LSD), which is another reason why you should avoid the regular CVT altogether.
The addition of further capabilities to the Integra's three-mode Integrated Dynamics System (IDS), specifically an Individual mode that modifies the steering, gearbox, and throttle response, is part of this package.
Compared to the Civic, Acura has revised the chassis and steering on the Integra to provide sharper handling. Because of its variable-ratio steering and more powerful brakes, you can expect the same level of handling prowess as the Civic Si.
In terms of suspension, the Acura Integra should provide a good combination of ride and handling thanks to its MacPherson strut front suspension and multi-link rear suspension.
The Technology Package also includes the Adaptive Damper System (ADS), which allows the suspension to continuously adapt the ride and handling characteristics based on the drive mode selected.
Because the Acura Integra uses the same powerplant as the Civic Si, expect similar gas mileage to that of the Honda. For comparison, the Civic Si, which only comes with a manual transmission, gets 28 MPG city, 38 MPG highway, and 32 MPG combined.
Unsurprisingly, the CVT will be the most fuel-efficient option, but folks who like to go through the cogs themselves will be happy to trade in a few MPGs for even more smiles with the A-optional Spec's six-speed manual.
Exterior
Okay, let's address the elephant in the room here. Pitchforks were up and public expectations were not met when the 2023 Acura Integra made its debut as a yellow-painted pre-production prototype last year.
Sure, Acura could have done a lot more to make the Integra stand out, especially when compared to the brand's fantastic TLX, but even for an entry-level luxury compact, the Integra is still a solid effort.
The front end is sleek and attractive, with Acura's prominent "Pentagon grille". The 'Jewel Eye' LED headlights and tail lights with the brand's characteristic 'Chicane' LED daytime running lights complement the rest of the bodywork.
It also features a sleek side profile owing to its clean lines and sloping roof, giving it a fastback rear. Hiding under that fastback is a more practical hatchback as opposed to a Civic that gets a traditional trunk. All Integra's comes with a dual exhaust system as standard.
Also, there is no regular chrome for all the badging. Instead, you’ve also got INTEGRA stamped on the front and rear bumper, which is a throwback to the third-generation Integra from the 90s.
The base model comes with 17-inch rims, but A-Spec and up will allow you to add 19-inch rims along with all-season tires. If you want your Integra to stand out, you can choose from a range of optional styling packages.
The Sport Black Plus Styling Package ($3,168) or the Carbon-fiber Styling package ($2,649), adds contrasting rocker panels, gloss black trim pieces, and mirror caps along with a spoiler and more aggressive rear diffuser setup.
Overall, the Integra certainly looks a lot better without the strange body graphics seen on the pre-production prototype, and there are enough creases on the hood and sheet metal to make the Acura look interesting. Having said that, they could have been a little more daring with the design, to further improve its appeal.
Interior Quality and Technology
Because the Acura Integra retains the very same basic structure as the Civic, you’ll find a spacious and functional cabin for this premium compact sedan. Now that's not exactly a bad thing, considering the Civic's interior was one of Wards 10 Best Interiors last year.
Both cars share the same door handles and switchgear, but the remainder of the panels, such as the dash and most of the doors, are unique to the Integra. There are enough soft-touch materials on the dashboard and doors to convince you that you're sitting in something special.
The Integra is pretty well equipped right from the base model. Features like Ambient LED Cabin lighting, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with paddle shifters, automatic dimming rear view mirrors, push-button start, and heated front seats come as standard. A heated steering wheel ($475) is available as an optional extra.
While the A-Spec comes standard with an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, the optional Technology Pack gets you a 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat as well as a four-way power-adjustable front passenger's seat.
The interior color is determined by the exterior color chosen. The Platinum White Pearl and Liquid Carbon Metallic exterior paints come standard with a Red interior, while the Apex Blue Pearl hue comes with an Orchid interior.
Finally, choosing the Majestic Black Pearl color will result in an Ebony interior. All trims come with synthetic leather, but if you select the A-Spec with the Technology Package, you get Microsuede inlays on the seats and doors.
As for the tech, you get a 10.2-inch all-digital gauge cluster, an eight-speaker audio system, and a seven-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Unsurprisingly, it has the same operating system as the Honda Civic, which isn't a terrible thing because the user interface on the Civic is simple to operate.
You must get the Technology Package if you want a larger infotainment screen, which also includes a larger nine-inch screen, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 16-speaker ELS Studio 3D Premium Audio System.
The Technology Pack also includes three additional USB Type C connections, Amazon Alexa integration, LED ambient lighting, LED exterior puddle lamps, a head-up display, and a wireless charging pad.
2023 Acura Integra Price and Availability
The 2023 Acura Integra starts at $30,800. It excludes the $1,095 destination and handling charges. Acura got the pricing on the Integra just right. There is enough standard equipment to justify the price premium that you pay over a Civic SI. Within the Integra lineup, if you choose the top-of-the-line A-Spec trim with the Technology package, Acura will happily throw in a manual at no extra cost.
You can configure your Acura Integra here.
Safety
Neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) nor the Insurance Institute of High Safety (IIHS) has rated the 2023 Acura Integra yet. However, since its sibling, the Honda Civic, has received the highest Top Safety Pick+ rating from the aforementioned agency, you can expect the Integra to perform similarly in the crash safety tests.
Out of the box, the Acura Integra 2023 comes with the AcuraWatch suite of sophisticated driver-assistance technologies, in addition to the regular suite of airbags, electronic stability control, and other mandatory safety equipment.
- Automatic high beam headlights
- Automatic emergency braking
- Forward collision warning
- Adaptive cruise control
- Lane departure warning
- Lane-keeping
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Traffic jam assist
- Hill-start assist
- Automatic brake hold
The Technology Pack, which is available on the A-Spec, includes front and rear parking sensors as well.
Main Competition
The Acura Integra 2023 goes up against the entry-level German luxury sedans that include the likes of the Audi A3, the BMW 228i Gran Coupe. and the Mercedes Benz A220 sedan. The German cars will get you a more luxuriously-trimmed interior's along with a better driving experience and it goes without saying, more street-cred if that matters. All-wheel drive (AWD) is also offered as an optional addition, which the Integra does not have. Here's how the base models compare in terms of the performance numbers available on tap.
The Integra is slightly larger than all three and is more practical thanks to that hatchback bodystyle. While the Acura tops out at around $35,000, you'll only be able to get into a base model with the German compacts at that price point. Also, with the German cars, you’ll be paying extra for a lot of equipment that comes as standard.
To summarize, the 2023 Acura Integra is a great premium compact sedan that is well-designed, and with the extra hardware over the Civic, it promises driving bliss. It gets a few essentials spot on, for what is an affordable-ish quality compact sedan.