Overview
Those who thought the revived Acura Integra wasn’t sporty enough—that includes us—will be pleased to learn that a new 320-hp Type S version is joining the lineup for 2024. Just as the standard Integra shares many components with the Honda Civic, the Integra Type S has commonalities with the Civic Type R hot hatchback, including its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, six-speed manual transmission, and limited-slip differential. It looks more aggressive as well and should cost significantly more than the base Integra, though we don’t have pricing details yet. Apart from the Type S, the standard Integra is a pleasant premium hatchback. Though it’s not quite as luxurious as some German rivals such as the Audi A3 and the Mercedes-Benz CLA-class, its spacious cargo area gives it an extra measure of practicality, and it offers a decent value proposition.
What’s New for 2024?
The 320-hp Type S is new to the Acura lineup and will go on sale in summer 2023. Much more powerful, better to drive, and cooler-looking than the base car, the Type S joins other Acura performance variants in the TLX and MDX lines that also wear this badge. Otherwise, we don’t expect the base Integra to feature any major changes for its second model year.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
We think the Type S represents the Integra’s best self, but if you can’t afford its $51,995 starting price, the A-Spec Technology trim is our other favorite version. Both the Type S and the A-Spec trim levels come with a six-speed manual transmission, and that’s the setup we’d prefer.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The standard-issue Integra is powered by a 200-hp turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine borrowed from the Honda Civic Si. All of these 200-hp models are front-wheel drive and come standard with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), but A-Spec models can be had with an optional six-speed manual transmission and a limited-slip differential. The Type S has a significantly more powerful 320-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four with 310 pound-feet of torque. Like the Civic Type R, the Type S uses a six-speed manual transmission and front-wheel drive. At our test track, our six-speed manual A-Spec test car hit 60 mph in 7.0 seconds; the A-Spec with the CVT was 0.1 second slower to 60 mph. Adaptive dampers for the suspension are available as well, and the A-Spec model adds an Individual mode to the Integra’s drive-mode selector switch, which allows drivers to save a customized setting. During our initial test drive, we found the Integra to be lively and agile. The steering is heavily weighted and satisfyingly direct, and the adaptive dampers allow the driver to choose between three settings that change the car’s ride and handling demeanor. The Comfort setting provides the smoothest, softest ride, Sport mode firms up the handling, and Normal mode splits the difference between the two. Road noise is too evident, however, and we wish Acura had integrated more sound-deadening materials. As for the Type S’s performance, we predict it will almost as quick as the Civic Type R we tested, which zipped to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. All Type S models come with a set of 19-inch wheels with summer tires, larger Brembo brakes, and a special exhaust system with three center-mounted exhaust pipes. We were able to sample the Integra Type S in California and came away impressed with its agile handling, powerful engine, and on-road refinement.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
According to the EPA, the most efficient Integra model is the base car with the CVT, which is rated for 30 mpg city and 37 mpg highway. The Integra’s key rival, the Audi A3, is rated at 29 mpg city and 38 mpg highway. Step up to the A-Spec trim with the manual transmission and fuel-economy estimates fall to 26 mpg city and 36 mpg highway. On our 75-mph highway fuel-economy route, our automatic test car managed to exceed its EPA rating, achieving 38 mpg. The Type S will likely achieve lower fuel-economy numbers due to its larger, more powerful engine; the Civic Type R, for instance, is rated at 24 mpg combined. For more information about the Integra’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Although there’s plenty of parts sharing with the Honda Civic under the skin, Acura has done a decent job of making the cabin look right at home in the brand’s lineup. It pulls styling elements from the TLX sedan and RDX SUV. Heated sport seats wrapped in faux-leather upholstery are standard and feature eight-way power adjustments for the driver; A-Spec models with the optional Technology package add faux-suede inserts to the front seats as well as 12-way power adjustments for the driver and four-way power adjustments for the front passenger. The rear seat is spacious enough to fit two adults comfortably, but the lack of features such as rear air vents and seat heaters are notable omissions in a supposedly premium car. While the standard Integra offers a rear bench seat with a narrow middle seat, the Type S model instead offers two bucket seats and a small center console armrest.
Infotainment and Connectivity
A 10.2-inch digital gauge cluster is standard across the Integra lineup and is reconfigurable to provide information for the driver in a variety of display modes. The Integra comes with a 7.0-inch infotainment display as standard and a larger 9.0-inch unit available as an option. Both forgo the frustrating touchpad controller found in other Acura products. The larger touchscreen is part of the Technology package available for A-Spec models, which also includes a wireless smartphone charging pad, a 5.3-inch head-up display, and three USB-C charging ports dotting the cabin. All models feature Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but only cars with the Technology package offer wireless smartphone mirroring. An eight-speaker stereo is standard and an ELS Studio 3D premium stereo system is available and includes 16 speakers.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
A host of driver-assistance features are included as standard in the Integra, including automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. A-Spec models with the optional Technology package come with front and rear parking sensors. For more information about the Integra’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
- Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
- Standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
- Standard adaptive cruise control
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Acura offers a longer powertrain warranty than most of its competitors with coverage stretching up to six years or 70,000 miles, but buyers of the BMW 2-series Gran Coupe will enjoy an extra year of complimentary scheduled maintenance.
- Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers six years or 70,000 miles
- Complimentary scheduled maintenance is covered for two years or 24,000 miles.
Specifications
Specifications
2023 Acura Integra A-Spec Manual
Vehicle Type: front-engine, front-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door hatchback
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $33,895/$36,895
ENGINE
Turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve inline-4, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 91 in3, 1498 cm3
Power: 200 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque: 192 lb-ft @ 1800 rpm
TRANSMISSION
6-speed manual
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: struts/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 12.3-in vented disc/11.1-in disc
Tires: Continental ContiProContact
235/40R-18 91W M+S
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 107.7 in
Length: 185.8 in
Width: 72.0 in
Height: 55.5 in
Passenger Volume: 96 ft3
Cargo Volume: 24 ft3
Curb Weight: 3062 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 7.0 sec
1/4-Mile: 15.3 sec @ 93 mph
100 mph: 17.3 sec
130 mph: 36.2 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.4 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 7.9 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 10.4 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 8.5 sec
Top Speed (C/D est): 135 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 178 ft
Braking, 100–0 mph: 358 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.88 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 31 mpg
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 30/26/36 mpg
2023 Acura Integra A-Spec Automatic
Vehicle Type: front-engine, front-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door hatchback
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $32,800/$33,300
Options: Liquid carbon metallic paint $500
ENGINE
Turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve inline-4, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 91 in3, 1498 cm3
Power: 200 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque: 192 lb-ft @ 1800 rpm
TRANSMISSION
continuously variable automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: struts/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 12.3-in vented disc/11.1-in disc
Tires: Continental ContiProContact
235/40R-18 98W M+S
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 107.7 in
Length: 185.8 in
Width: 72.0 in
Height: 55.5 in
Passenger Volume: 96 ft3
Cargo Volume: 24 ft3
Curb Weight: 3144 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 7.1 sec
1/4-Mile: 15.5 sec @ 95 mph
100 mph: 17.2 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 7.8 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 4.0 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 4.8 sec
Top Speed (C/D est): 135 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 174 ft
Braking, 100–0 mph: 349 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.90 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 23 mpg
75-mph Highway Driving: 38 mpg
75-mph Highway Range: 470 mi
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 32/29/36 mpg