0
0
Professionals: Civic Si efficiency with better refinement; candy guide transmission; thrifty gasoline financial 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 automobile for many who need one thing slightly extra premium than a Honda Civic.
And that final comparability is essential, as a result of the Acura Integra is principally a Honda Civic that’s been completely labored over with a very completely different physique, stiffer construction and completely different(ish) inside. 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 fairly good job of being a well-made, well-equipped compact automobile itself. There actually wasn’t that a lot for Acura to do to remodel the cabin for luxurious responsibility, although it’s actually greatest realized with the optionally available Know-how bundle 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 normal. A six-speed guide is accessible, however solely on the range-topping A-Spec with Know-how bundle. The A-Spec’s adaptive dampers additionally do a greater job of each road-holding and experience consolation. Actually, there’s nothing unsuitable in any respect with seeing the Integra as a extra refined Civic Si.
Because it was prior to now, the brand new Integra is each a luxury-adjacent sedan and a sport compact automobile. Which means 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, previous buddy.
Inside & Know-how | Passenger & Cargo Area | Efficiency & Gasoline Financial system
What it is prefer to drive | Pricing & Trim Ranges | Crash Rankings & Security Options
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 easiest way to explain the Integra inside is Honda Plus. Nearly every part 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 numerous good bits and items, which we’ve routinely praised as being distinctive for the compact automobile section. A luxurious automobile is a distinct 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 an alternative 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 due to this fact not Acura’s True Touchpad interface that has drawn few followers through the years. Properly, apart from our highway take a look at editor. Though it’s lame that the larger display screen isn’t normal on an Acura, each are typically straightforward to make use of, fast to react and have graphics which are 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 massive is the Integra?
Not like previous Integras, there is just one physique type: 4 doorways with a fastback hatchback trunk lid. Mainly, identical to the first-generation four-door mannequin. It’s fairly a bit bigger than that, although, because the Integra capabilities equally to a 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback, which means it presents a great deal of adult-friendly legroom entrance and rear. The usual eight-way energy driver seat additionally offers ample adjustability, and you need 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 top will discover themselves grazing the roof.
On paper, the Integra trunk wows with 24.3 cubic toes, 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 apply, nevertheless, we discovered that the Civic sedan has extra cargo-carrying capability than the Integra — by a surprisingly massive margin, too. It’s wider, longer and practically as tall regardless of Integra benefitting from a hatchback. Mainly, it’s positively not SUV-like, however anticipate it to be superior to an Audi A3, Mercedes CLA or BMW 2 Sequence Gran Coupe trunk.
What are the Acura Integra gasoline financial 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 constantly variable transmission is normal, which is a little bit of unhappy trombone for a performance-oriented automobile, however at the very least it simulates gear modifications, and even offers paddle shifters to provoke them for those who so select. A six-speed guide transmission is barely obtainable as an choice on the range-topping A-Spec trim stage when geared up with the Know-how bundle. It contains an computerized rev-matching downshift operate and a limited-slip differential.
Gasoline financial system is estimated to be an distinctive 30 mpg metropolis, 37 mpg freeway and 33 mpg mixed with the CVT. The Know-how bundle lowers these figures barely to 29/36/32 mpg, whereas the guide lowers them additional to a still-thrifty 26/36/30.
What is the Integra prefer to drive?
Should you’ve pushed a Civic Si, then you’ve gotten a fairly good concept for the way the Integra drives in its top-rung A-Spec type, which is the one model we’ve pushed to this point. 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. Not like many small displacement turbo engines, this one sprints via the ultimate 1,000 rpm with addicting eagerness. It’s quiet, however what little noise is current is kind of good.
The perfect half about driving the Integra is shifting via its magnificent six-speed guide transmission. In typical Honda trend, there’s merely no higher guide transmission to shift at its worth level. Acura gave it a rev-matching operate that works effectively, however you’ll be able to flip it off for those who so please. As for the CVT, at the very least it’s one of many higher CVTs in the marketplace. Acura programmed “steps” to imitate shifting via seven gears, and also you’re capable of “manually” choose these steps by way of paddle shifters on the steering wheel. Preliminary begins with the CVT are slightly sluggish, however as soon as in control, it responds rapidly to throttle purposes and paddle pulls. And bear in mind, the Civic Si will not be obtainable with an computerized in any respect.
Flip in from the Integra’s variable-ratio electrical steering rack is fast (if barely slower within the base automobile), and the lengthy hatchback feels gentle on its toes. Even choosing the stiffest “Sport” setting leaves you with a pleasantly compliant experience. There’s better composure and rather less physique lean in Sport, however its rigidity received’t unsettle the automobile over dicey bits of pavement. The Integra, even in its spiciest type, is not any observe automobile out of the field. As an alternative, it’s set as much as excel at spirited backroad carving whereas nonetheless offering a cushty experience for every day driving duties.
What different Acura Integra evaluations can I learn?
2023 Acura Integra First Drive Review: Simply what we needed
Take a deeper dive into the Integra’s design and engineering, plus get a extra complete evaluate of what it is prefer to drive (particularly with the CVT).
2023 Acura Integra A-Spec Inside Review
Take a really deep dive into the Integra inside, and particularly the A-Spec with Know-how Bundle. We take a detailed take 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 normal options embrace 17-inch wheels, computerized 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 assorted driver help programs described under. Frankly, that is extra akin to a well-equipped compact automobile 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, energetic sound management, LED fog lights, and particular styling parts in and out. The “Crimson” and “Orchid” inside colours are unique to the A-Spec.
You may as well add the Know-how bundle to the A-Spec, bringing the value to $36,895. The six-speed guide can successfully be added with it as a no-cost choice. Though this bundle known as “Know-how,” it may extra precisely be described as “luxurious,” because it provides a lot of the key objects anticipated of a automobile carrying a luxurious badge. These extras embrace parking sensors, computerized 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 rankings and driver help options?
Each Integra comes normal with ahead collision warning (contains pedestrian detection), computerized 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 embrace a low-speed comply with functionality for stop-and-go visitors. Understandably, that received’t work with a clutch pedal.
The Integra has not been crash examined by a 3rd occasion on the time of this writing.
Associated video:
