For higher and for worse, the 2023 Acura Integra borrows quite a bit from the Honda Civic. The air vents could look like the obvious bits, however they’re in actual fact totally different: the Civic’s mesh consists of hexagons whereas the Integras are diamonds. Wow, proper? The little air course nubs appear to be the identical. Personally, I believe the Civic’s full-width software appears extra particular and even premium, particularly given the Integra’s slightly blah grey sprint trim, however shrug.Â
In any other case, the switchgear is equivalent, together with the steering wheel, local weather controls, stalks and touchscreen(s). The 2 middle console designs are additionally shared, one for CVT-equipped automobiles and the opposite for manual-equipped automobiles like this one, though there are just a few variations I am going to point out later.
How a lot does this actually matter? In the end, you may resolve, however for now, let’s do the complete James Cameron and deep dive into the Integra A-Spec inside.
Alright, since I’ve already talked about them, listed below are the Integra A-Spec and Civic Hatchback with six-speed handbook facet by facet. We have not taken a pic of the Si inside on the identical angle (and Honda appears to have given up on its typical distinctive press picture packages), so simply think about extra pink and a shifter much like (however not the identical as!) the Integra’s.
And here is the vent comparability. Once more, the Civic Si has pink trim surrounding the hexagon mesh as an alternative of silver.
This is that aforementioned blah grey sprint trim. These dots are textured, however on the whole, it lacks a sure premium look.
The remainder of the sprint trim is sufficiently low sheen and padded.Â
Talking of low sheen and padded, let’s discuss door trim. Whereas at first look the back and front door tops look the identical, they aren’t. Look nearer and you will see the sample is barely totally different, which is indicative of the truth that the entrance doorways have a soft-touch rubbery materials and the again doorways are rock-hard plastic. That is undoubtedly extra compact automobile than luxurious automobile.
This Upstairs, Downstairs theme continues …
Let’s discuss seats and fabric. That is an A-Spec, which implies it beneficial properties entry to the non-obligatory Pink inside. Sure, simply actually “Pink” whereas your different decisions are “Ebony,” “Orchid” and “Graystone.”
That is not the bizarre bit. Whereas all seats are “Pink,” they don’t have the identical upholstery. The entrance seats have facilities in micro-suede material with leatherette bolsters in pink and black. Sorry, “Ebony.”Â
The again seats are simply leatherette. Bizarre, proper?
It is laborious to consider many different automobiles, moreover the third rows of SUVs and minivans, which have totally different upholsteries in numerous seating rows. Oh, that is proper! I can consider one other one: the Honda Civic Si.
The above left picture is the very best I’ve (as I am guessing Honda’s advertising and marketing people had been eager to completely disguise this specific aspect), however the brand new Civic Si has a lot totally different upholstery entrance and rear. The entrance seats have this pink tech material stuff that appears faraway from a backpack strap, whereas the again seat is simply plain black seat upholstery. Admittedly, this was additionally the case within the previous-generation Civic Si inside, which I do have an image of.Â
I believe we will all admit that this isn’t a Lucid Air state of affairs the place the seats are totally different colours due to a trend alternative. The reply is $$$. Certain appears that is the explanation within the Integra, too, however not less than the entrance and rear upholstery is equally pink. Sorry, “Pink.”Â
Let’s discuss switchgear. That is the silver Engine Begin/Cease button. You’ll be able to inform what it does as a result of it says Engine Begin/Cease on it. This seems to be the identical button used within the Acura TLX and is the uncommon Acura piece contained in the Integra.
This shifter can also be particular to the Integra. Whereas it appears much like the Civic Si’s, the steel bit on high extends increased from the center leather-based bit. The identical could be stated when evaluating it to the six-speed handbook shifter discovered within the first-generation Acura TLX (a automobile I truly owned). OK, so the second-generation TLX additionally had one thing prefer it, however that automobile was lame.Â
Listed below are the Civic shifters for reference.
These buttons and knobs are shared with the Civic, though the Integra beneficial properties the INDIVIDUAL button that engages the Particular person drive mode. The drive mode toggle can also be labeled “Dynamic Mode” as an alternative of “DRIVE MODE” as within the Civic.Â
Now, you may observe that the Integra doesn’t have the large honkin’ Dynamic Mode knob within the middle of its sprint like different Acuras. That is a disgrace.
Shifting barely over to the correct, here is the principle distinction between the Integra and Civic middle consoles. Mainly, the Integra has a wall/buttress bridging the hole between the console and the decrease sprint.
Above left is the 9-inch touchscreen included within the Integra’s Expertise bundle, which is compulsory by the best way, must you desire a six-speed handbook transmission. And please, do desire a six-speed handbook transmission. Anyhow, that is fairly clearly a Honda unit. Similar structure, identical performance, even the identical graphics.Â
We do not have an image of the usual 7-inch touchscreen, nevertheless it looks like a protected guess that it will seem like the Civic’s 7-inch unit pictured above proper. Mainly, it has a smaller, much less colourful display screen with extra laborious buttons — which is hardly a foul factor. However, it is lame that the 9-inch unit is not normal.Â
Now, earlier than you go griping about an Acura sharing its infotainment system with a Honda Civic, enable me to current you with the infotainment system present in each different Acura not named after a automobile offered in 1990. That is the True Touchpad interface. Mainly, you have a look at the display screen, and place your finger on the little bit of touchpad that corresponds to the spot on the display screen you need to contact. It is extra intuitive than that sentence makes it sound. That stated, it is nonetheless not that intuitive and creates extra issues than it solves. Our Zac Palmer form of grew to love it, however the remainder of us have at all times chalked that as much as a form of infotainment Stockholm Syndrome.Â
Listed below are the digital gauges, that are normal. You’ll be able to customise the show’s data and the colour scheme adjustments to incorporate pink dial rings when in Sport mode.Â
I did not get an image of it, as a result of I used to be driving, however the little Integra within the center is the driving force help show. It will present how shut you might be to the strains (simply in case your eyes aren’t working?), and present animated variations of automobiles and semis. This appears extra distracting than something as a result of, once more, I can see the automobiles round me by way of this stuff known as home windows.
Headline: Acura Integra will not be submarine
Whereas there are plain advantages to the Integra’s all-digital devices, pictured above are the analog gauges of the Acura TLX Kind-S. These would’ve been proper at house within the Integra.Â
The Expertise bundle additionally provides a USB-C port up entrance and two USB-C ports behind the middle console for the again seats. The wi-fi charger can also be added. There’s in any other case just one USB-A port within the automobile.Â
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are normal, however they’re wi-fi with the Expertise bundle. That additionally provides a head-up show, Alexa Constructed-in, satellite tv for pc radio, in-car WiFi and …
The ELS Studio 3D sound system. You undoubtedly CAN’T get that in a Civic.Â
And certainly, regardless of all of the similarities and shared elements between the Integra and Civic, the Acura remains to be undeniably the extra premium automobile. It appears and feels extra grown up, particularly in gentle of the Civic Si’s extra boy racier components (just like the pink backpack strap upholstery).Â
The Integra has additionally actually grown up from its ancestors (identical to the Civic). The again seat has adequate legroom for somebody 6-foot-3 to sit down behind himself, although removed from adequate headroom. Even these of common peak are more likely to graze their noggin. Entrance seat house is uniformly nice and the driving force seat comes with normal eight-way energy adjustment. The Civic Si is handbook adjustment solely (the EX-L and Sport Touring trims do get energy), and proper me if I am flawed, however I do not consider any earlier Acura Integra or the RSX could possibly be had with an influence driver seat.Â
The cargo space boasts simply sufficient room to suit all the luggage of my typical Baggage Take a look at. Admittedly, I’ve not baggage examined a ’98 Integra, but when somebody desires to drop one off at my home, I am going to get’er completed.Â
As for the remainder of the Baggage Take a look at, nicely, that’ll be coming within the close to future.Â
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