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Execs: Civic Si efficiency with higher refinement; candy handbook transmission; thrifty gas economic system; versatile hatchback
Cons: Underwhelming base tools; cramped rear headroom; some low cost inside bits in again; a CVT, actually?
For these of a sure age and/or sure automotive fandom, the 2023 Acura Integra represents the return of an icon. Sure, the Integra is again, and because it was within the very starting, it’s a four-door hatchback that may be each an fans’ darling or only a well-made, well-equipped compact automotive for individuals who need one thing a bit extra premium than a Honda Civic.
And that final comparability is vital, as a result of the Acura Integra is mainly a Honda Civic that’s been totally labored over with a very completely different physique, stiffer construction and different(ish) interior. Admittedly, the Civic is a superb place to start out, because it’s a terrific little sedan/hatchback that arguably outpaces its competitors and does a reasonably good job of being a well-made, well-equipped compact automotive itself. There actually wasn’t that a lot for Acura to do to transform the cabin for luxurious obligation, although it’s actually finest realized with the optionally available Expertise package deal and there are some areas (just like the again seat) the place the posh touches may have been additional utilized.
From a mechanical perspective, the Integra particularly builds off the Civic Si. It has the identical 200-horsepower turbocharged engine and front-wheel drive, however with a saucier exhaust and CVT as commonplace. A six-speed handbook is obtainable, however solely on the range-topping A-Spec with Expertise package deal. The A-Spec’s adaptive dampers additionally do a greater job of each road-holding and experience consolation. Actually, there’s nothing improper in any respect with seeing the Integra as a extra refined Civic Si.
Because it was up to now, the brand new Integra is each a luxury-adjacent sedan and a sport compact automotive. Meaning it may be a ritzier various to the Civics of the world, a extra budget-conscious various to the Audi A3s, or Acura/Honda’s reply to the Volkswagen GTI and GLI. It doesn’t matter what you evaluate it to, although, we expect the brand new Integra is a winner. Welcome again, outdated good friend.
Interior & Technology | Passenger & Cargo Space | Performance & Fuel Economy
What it’s like to drive | Pricing & Trim Levels | Crash Ratings & Safety Features
What’s new for 2023?
The Integra is an all-new mannequin. It technically replaces the ILX, nevertheless, which was equally a Civic-based compact Acura.
What are the Integra inside and in-car expertise like?
The best way to describe the Integra interior is Honda Plus. Nearly every thing you contact, from the buttons and knobs, to the squishy door tops and touchscreen interfaces, are plucked from the Honda elements bin. Particularly, they’re shared with the Civic. Now, that elements bin options loads of good bits and items, which we’ve routinely praised as being distinctive for the compact automotive section. A luxury car is a unique story, nevertheless, and the Integra inside appears and feels extra aggressive with a VW GTI than an Audi A3. That is most notable within the again seat, which lacks air vents, has onerous plastic door trim and, within the A-Spec, leatherette upholstery as a substitute of the micro-suede up entrance.
As beforehand talked about, the infotainment system makes use of the identical 7- or 9-inch touchscreens because the Civic, and subsequently not Acura’s True Touchpad interface that has drawn few followers through the years. Well, besides our road test editor. Though it’s lame that the larger display screen isn’t commonplace on an Acura, each are usually simple to make use of, fast to react and have graphics which can be simply learn, if a tad plain. And if we are evaluating the Integra extra to a GTI than numerous luxury-branded fashions, Acura will get an enormous benefit right here as VW’s newest tech interface is a multitude.
How huge is the Integra?
In contrast to previous Integras, there is just one physique type: 4 doorways with a fastback hatchback trunk lid. Principally, similar to the first-generation four-door mannequin. It’s fairly a bit bigger than that, although, because the Integra features equally to a 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback, which means it gives a great deal of adult-friendly legroom entrance and rear. The usual eight-way energy driver seat additionally gives plentiful adjustability, and it is best to even have enough room for a rear-facing baby seat. Sadly, that racy roofline actually chews into rear headroom, and even these of common peak will discover themselves grazing the roof.
On paper, the Integra trunk wows with 24.3 cubic ft, which might in principle be equal to a small SUV. It’s additionally a much better determine than the 14.8 cubic-feet of the Honda Civic Si and its typical trunk. In observe, nevertheless, we discovered that the Civic sedan has more cargo-carrying capacity than the Integra — by a surprisingly massive margin, too. It’s wider, longer and practically as tall regardless of Integra benefitting from a hatchback. Principally, it’s undoubtedly not SUV-like, however anticipate it to be superior to an Audi A3, Mercedes CLA or BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe trunk.
What are the Acura Integra gas economic system and efficiency specs?
Each Integra is powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-four that produces 200 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque. They’re additionally all front-wheel-drive. A repeatedly variable transmission is commonplace, which is a little bit of unhappy trombone for a performance-oriented automotive, however a minimum of it simulates gear modifications, and even gives paddle shifters to provoke them should you so select. A six-speed handbook transmission is barely out there as an choice on the range-topping A-Spec trim stage when outfitted with the Expertise package deal. It contains an automated rev-matching downshift operate and a limited-slip differential.
Gasoline economic system is estimated to be an distinctive 30 mpg metropolis, 37 mpg freeway and 33 mpg mixed with the CVT. The Expertise package deal lowers these figures barely to 29/36/32 mpg, whereas the handbook lowers them additional to a still-thrifty 26/36/30.
What is the Integra prefer to drive?
If you happen to’ve pushed a Civic Si, then you have got a reasonably good concept for the way the Integra drives in its top-rung A-Spec type, which is the one model we’ve pushed thus far. The VTEC scream of yesteryear is lengthy gone, changed by this turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder, however Acura remains to be utilizing VTEC for the exhaust valves. In contrast to many small displacement turbo engines, this one sprints by means of the ultimate 1,000 rpm with addicting eagerness. It’s quiet, however what little noise is current is sort of good.
The most effective half about driving the Integra is shifting by means of its magnificent six-speed handbook transmission. In typical Honda vogue, there may be merely no higher handbook transmission to shift at its worth level. Acura gave it a rev-matching operate that works nicely, however you may flip it off should you so please. As for the CVT, a minimum of it’s one of many higher CVTs in the marketplace. Acura programmed “steps” to imitate shifting by means of seven gears, and also you’re in a position to “manually” choose these steps through paddle shifters on the steering wheel. Preliminary begins with the CVT are a bit sluggish, however as soon as on top of things, it responds shortly to throttle functions and paddle pulls. And bear in mind, the Civic Si just isn’t out there with an automated in any respect.
Flip in from the Integra’s variable-ratio electrical steering rack is fast (if barely slower within the base automotive), and the lengthy hatchback feels gentle on its ft. Even deciding on the stiffest “Sport” setting leaves you with a pleasantly compliant experience. There’s higher composure and rather less physique lean in Sport, however its rigidity gained’t unsettle the automotive over dicey bits of pavement. The Integra, even in its spiciest type, is not any monitor automotive out of the field. As a substitute, it’s set as much as excel at spirited backroad carving whereas nonetheless offering a cushty experience for day by day driving duties.
What different Acura Integra evaluations can I learn?
2023 Acura Integra First Drive Review: Just what we wanted
Take a deeper dive into the Integra’s design and engineering, plus get a extra complete overview of what it is prefer to drive (particularly with the CVT).
2023 Acura Integra A-Spec Interior Review
Take a really deep dive into the Integra inside, and particularly the A-Spec with Expertise Bundle. We take an in depth have a look at what it shares with the Civic and the way it’s completely different.
What’s the 2023 Integra worth?
Pricing for the 2023 Integra begins at $31,895, together with the $1,095 vacation spot cost. Key commonplace options embody 17-inch wheels, automated headlights, a sunroof, proximity entry and push-button begin, leatherette upholstery, an eight-way energy driver seat, heated entrance seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, an eight-speaker sound system, one USB port, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the varied driver help techniques described under. Frankly, that is extra akin to a well-equipped compact automotive from a non-luxury model.
The A-Spec prices $33,895. It provides 18-inch wheels, adaptive dampers, a thicker rear stabilizer bar, a faster steering ratio, lively sound management, LED fog lights, and particular styling components in and out. The “Crimson” and “Orchid” inside colors are unique to the A-Spec.
You too can add the Expertise package deal to the A-Spec, bringing the value to $36,895. The six-speed handbook can successfully be added with it as a no-cost choice. Though this package deal is named “Expertise,” it may extra precisely be described as “luxurious,” because it provides many of the key gadgets anticipated of a automotive carrying a luxurious badge. These extras embody parking sensors, automated wipers, a customizable Particular person driving mode, microsuede entrance seat upholstery (the rear seat oddly stays leatherette), driver reminiscence settings, a four-way energy passenger seat, dual-zone local weather management, the 9-inch touchscreen, 16-speaker ELS Studio 3D sound system, satellite tv for pc and HD radios, three USB-C ports, wi-fi charging and Apple/Android connectivity, Alexa Constructed-In and in-car WiFi.
What are the Integra security scores and driver help options?
Each Integra comes commonplace with ahead collision warning (contains pedestrian detection), automated emergency braking, lane-keeping help, lane-departure warning, blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warning, and a well-executed adaptive cruise management system with lane-centering steering help. CVT-equipped vehicles additionally embody a low-speed comply with functionality for stop-and-go site visitors. Understandably, that gained’t work with a clutch pedal.
The Integra has not been crash tested by a 3rd celebration on the time of this writing.
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