2023 Acura Integra

While the Acura Integra always had a close relationship with the Honda Civic, many weren’t huge fans of how the premium Japanese brand revived the nameplate for the modern-day. Does it actually deserve the controversy that this compact premium car is currently facing? Let’s find out.

What’s New for the 2023 Acura Integra?

When the 2023 Acura Integra debuted as a yellow-painted pre-production prototype, pitchforks were raised high and consumer expectations were missed. Many dismissed the new Integra as merely a car to fulfill Honda’s fiscal reports rather than a vehicle that was developed out of a passion to create a premium yet accessible sporty compact. Now that we’ve seen the final production model without its cheesy body graphics, I think it actually looks pretty good.

Sure, Acura could have done much more to make the Integra look more special, especially next to the brand’s good-looking TLX, but for an entry-level premium compact, the Integra is a good effort nonetheless. The front end looks sleek and handsome, with Acura’s “Pentagon grille” sitting proudly upfront. This is then flanked by a pair of “Jewel Eye” LED headlights that are matched with the brand’s signature “Chicane” LED daytime running lights. It also has a sleek side profile thanks to its clean sheet metal and its sloping roofline, which gives it a fastback rear end. Oh, and did I mention that it actually has a hatch rather than a trunk lid? After all, this is based on the Civic Hatchback’s platform.

The rear end of the 2023 Acura Integra, on the other hand, looks a lot like the Hyundai Genesis Coupe. This is mainly due to the design of its LED taillights, which look so similar to the aforementioned South Korean performance coupe. Overall, the Integra now looks better without the weird body graphics that the pre-production prototype wore, but we do wish Acura was a little bit more adventurous in how they designed the new Integra.

Pros and Cons

• Love it
  • Available six-speed manual on A-Spec
  •  Generous equipment levels across all trims
• Leave it
  •  Conservative looks
  •  Shares too much with the Civic

2023 Acura Integra Trims

2023 Acura Integra Exterior

Dimensions

Exterior Colors

More colors will be unveiled as the Integra goes on sale this spring 2022, according to Acura.

2023 Acura Integra Performance

Engine and Transmission

Handling and Driving Impressions

Riding on the same bones as the Civic, the new Integra should have an excellent blend of comfort and sportiness. However, its suspension, steering, and chassis have been tuned to offer sharper handling. Expect the same level of handling prowess as the Civic Si, thanks to its variable-ratio steering and more powerful brakes.

Only one option pack is available for the 2023 Acura Integra, and that’s the Technology Package that’s exclusive to the A-Spec trim. Part of this package is the addition of more functions to the Integra’s three-mode Integrated Dynamics System (IDS), namely an Individual mode that tweaks the steering, gearbox, and throttle response. In addition, the Technology Package also adds the Adaptive Damper System (ADS), in which the suspension continuously adjusts its ride and handling characteristics depending on the selected drive mode.

Speaking of suspension, with its MacPherson strut front suspension and multi-link rear suspension, the Acura Integra should offer a great balance between ride and handling. Oh, and if the listed power figures sound familiar to you, then they should because the Integra uses the same 1.5-liter VTEC Turbo engine from the Civic Si.

A CVT comes as standard, but opting for the A-Spec trim gives you the option to fit the Integra with a six-speed manual. Not only is this the proper transmission for the Integra, but opting for the manual also gets you a limited-slip differential (LSD), so this is another reason why you should ditch the standard CVT altogether.

2023 Acura Integra Gas Mileage

The EPA has not yet rated the 2023 Acura Integra. Since it shares the same engine as the Civic Si, we expect the manual model to achieve similar figures to its Honda sibling. For reference, the Civic Si, which only comes with a manual, is rated at 28 MPG city, 38 MPG highway, and 32 MPG combined. The CVT will, unsurprisingly, be the more fuel-efficient choice, but we’d happily trade in a few MPGs for more smiles with the A-Spec’s optional six-speed manual.

2023 Acura Integra Interior

Seating and Interior Space

Acura has not yet released any figures for the 2023 Integra’s interior dimensions. Stay tuned to this space once we’ve updated this section with the appropriate information.

Interior Colors and Materials

The 2023 Acura Integra’s interior shares a lot of components with the Honda Civic, such as the door handles and switchgear, though the rest of the panels such as the dash and most of the doors are mostly unique to the Integra. It’s not entirely a bad thing, since the Civic’s interior is premium enough to be part of last year’s Wards 10 Best Interiors.

Soft-touch materials are used on the dash and doors, and the interior color scheme is dependent on the selected exterior color. A Red interior comes as standard with the Platinum White Pearl and Liquid Carbon Metallic exterior paint, while an Orchid interior is offered on the Apex Blue Pearl color. Lastly, opting for the Majestic Black Pearl paint will give you an Ebony interior. All trims come with a synthetic leather interior, though if you opt for the Technology Package when ordering the A-Spec, Microsuede inserts are then added to the seats and doors.

2023 Acura Integra Trunk and Cargo Space

Since the Acura Integra shares the same basic bones as the Civic, we expect this premium compact car to have a spacious and practical interior. Unfortunately, the Integra is such a new car, Acura has not yet revealed any numbers for its trunk and cargo area. Stay tuned to this space once we’ve updated it with all the necessary information.

2023 Acura Integra Infotainment and Features

Infotainment

A 10.2-inch fully digital gauge cluster, eight-speaker audio system, and a seven-inch infotainment system with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come as standard. Unsurprisingly, it runs the same operating system that’s found in the Honda Civic, though, again, it’s no bad thing since the software in the Civic is easy to use. If you want a larger infotainment screen you have to tick the Technology Package, and this also gets you a larger nine-inch infotainment screen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 16-speaker ELS Studio 3D Premium Audio System.

While an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat comes as standard, the A-Spec’s optional Technology Pack upgrades it to a 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat along with a four-way power-adjustable front passenger’s seat. In addition, the Technology Pack also comes with additional three USB Type C ports, Amazon Alexa integration, LED ambient lighting, LED exterior puddle lamps, head-up display, and a wireless charging pad.

2023 Acura Integra Problems and Reliability

Warranty

All Acura models come with a four-year or 50,000-mile warranty and complimentary roadside assistance, whichever comes first. This comes on top of a separate six-year/70,000-mile warranty for the drivetrain and a five-year/unlimited mileage protection from corrosion. Though the Integra is too new to be evaluated for its reliability, the Acura brand has a very solid reliability record and we expect that your trips to the dealer will mostly be due to routine maintenance.

2023 Acura Integra Safety

The 2023 Acura Integra has not yet been rated by the NHTSA. Since its corporate sibling, the Honda Civic, has been awarded the highest Top Safety Pick+ by the aforementioned agency, we won’t be surprised if the Integra will receive the same high marks once this car has been evaluated.

Key Safety Features

On top of the usual suite of airbags, electronic stability control, and other mandatory safety features nowadays, the 2023 Acura Integra also comes with the brand’s AcuraWatch suite of advanced driver-assistance tech as standard. This includes the usual automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, full-speed adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. This comes on top of standard blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert. Opting for the Technology Pack that’s available in the A-Spec adds the benefit of front and rear parking sensors.

Verdict: Is the 2023 Acura Integra a Good Car?

The 2023 Acura Integra is a competent premium compact sedan that’s well-designed along with the promise of driving thrills. While the unveiling of its pre-production prototype has been marred with controversy, I now think that the reactions are a bit too overblown. Now that we’ve seen it in its final production form, the Integra has turned out to be much more handsome than when it was first unveiled a few months ago.

In addition, the Integra does get a few fundamentals right for an affordable-ish premium compact car. The interior is well-designed, and the A-Spec variant, in particular, can be equipped with the right specs to be a hoot to drive. Just please order the Integra A-Spec with a six-speed manual, which is basically the type of transmission that a car like this deserves. Plus you get an LSD, which is a must in a car of this caliber.

What’s the Price of the 2023 Acura Integra

Unfortunately, full pricing has not yet been revealed. The only information that Acura has revealed is that it will start at around $30,000. This is indeed good value, especially at a time when there’s a shortage of new cars nowadays. And considering the current status of the global economy, and the fact that inflation is on the rise, $30,000 is already a good deal for the amount of kit the Integra offers.

2023 Acura Integra Models

• Integra
• Integra A-Spec

Additional Packages

Technology Package (Pricing: TBA)

What new 2023 Acura Integra Should I Buy?

If you’re reading this, you’re most likely a car enthusiast, and therefore, we say that you should go right ahead and buy the top trim A-Spec model with the optional six-speed manual transmission. Not only did you get the right transmission choice, but you also gain the benefit of a limited-slip differential (LSD), and this perk alone should be enough for you to swap that CVT out for a transmission that lets you row your own cogs yourself.

2023 Acura Integra Comparisons

2023 Acura Integra vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz A 220

The 2023 Acura Integra is being pitched as a rival to two entry-level German luxury cars. One of those is the Mercedes-Benz A 220. The A 220 has a more luxuriously-trimmed interior, though if you want it to have the equipment levels of a true Benz, you have to spend much more on optional extras. The Integra is a bit larger than the A-Class sedan, which means the Acura offers more practicality than its German rival. All-wheel-drive (AWD) is also available as an optional extra, which is something you can’t equip the Integra with.

2023 Acura Integra vs 2022 BMW 228i Gran Coupe

The BMW 228i is superior to the Integra in terms of outright power figures and driving experience. Refinement is significantly better than the Integra’s, while handling is good for a front-wheel-drive (FWD) BMW. Again, the Integra is marginally bigger than the 228i, which means you have more practicality, and just like the Merc, you have to spend a bit more to match the Integra’s level of equipment. However, the Bimmer also feels like a true premium car compared to the Integra, which is not surprising considering its price tag. Like the Merc, the Bimmer can also be fitted with AWD.