Professionals: Civic Si efficiency with larger refinement; candy handbook transmission; thrifty gas economic system; versatile hatchback
Cons: Underwhelming base gear; 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 fanatics’ darling or only a well-made, well-equipped compact automobile for many who need one thing a little bit extra premium than a Honda Civic.
And that final comparability is essential, as a result of the Acura Integra is mainly a Honda Civic that’s been completely labored over with a very totally different physique, stiffer construction and totally different(ish) inside. Admittedly, the Civic is a good 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 automobile itself. There actually wasn’t that a lot for Acura to do to transform the cabin for luxurious responsibility, although it’s actually finest 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 customary. A six-speed handbook is offered, 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 journey consolation. Actually, there’s nothing flawed in any respect with seeing the Integra as a extra refined Civic Si.
Because it was previously, the brand new Integra is each a luxury-adjacent sedan and a sport compact automobile. 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, previous good friend.
Inside & Know-how | Passenger & Cargo Area | Efficiency & Gas Financial system
What it is prefer to drive | Pricing & Trim Ranges | Crash Scores & 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?
One of the simplest ways to explain the Integra inside is Honda Plus. Virtually every little thing you contact, from the buttons and knobs, to the squishy door tops and touchscreen interfaces, are plucked from the Honda components bin. Particularly, they’re shared with the Civic. Now, that components bin options quite a lot of good bits and items, which we’ve routinely praised as being distinctive for the compact automobile phase. A luxurious automobile is a distinct story, nevertheless, and the Integra inside appears to be like 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 arduous 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 due to this fact not Acura’s True Touchpad interface that has drawn few followers over time. Nicely, in addition to our highway check editor. Though it’s lame that the larger display isn’t customary on an Acura, each are usually simple to make use of, fast to react and have graphics which are simply learn, if a tad plain. And if we’re evaluating the Integra extra to a GTI than numerous luxury-branded fashions, Acura will get a giant 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 model: 4 doorways with a fastback hatchback trunk lid. Principally, 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 provides 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 standard trunk. In apply, nevertheless, we discovered that the Civic sedan has extra cargo-carrying capability than the Integra — by a surprisingly giant margin, too. It’s wider, longer and almost as tall regardless of Integra benefitting from a hatchback. Principally, it’s positively not SUV-like, however count on it to be superior to an Audi A3, Mercedes CLA or BMW 2 Collection 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 constantly variable transmission is customary, which is a little bit of unhappy trombone for a performance-oriented automobile, however no less than it simulates gear modifications, and even offers paddle shifters to provoke them when you so select. A six-speed handbook transmission is simply out there as an choice on the range-topping A-Spec trim stage when outfitted with the Know-how bundle. It contains an computerized rev-matching downshift operate and a limited-slip differential.
Gas economic 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 handbook lowers them additional to a still-thrifty 26/36/30.
What is the Integra prefer to drive?
In the event you’ve pushed a Civic Si, then you may have a reasonably good concept for a way the Integra drives in its top-rung A-Spec kind, 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 way 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 way of its magnificent six-speed handbook transmission. In typical Honda vogue, there may be merely no higher handbook transmission to shift at its value level. Acura gave it a rev-matching operate that works effectively, however you may flip it off when you so please. As for the CVT, no less than it’s one of many higher CVTs available on the market. Acura programmed “steps” to imitate shifting by way of 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 a little bit sluggish, however as soon as in control, it responds shortly to throttle functions and paddle pulls. And bear in mind, the Civic Si isn’t out there 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 mild on its toes. Even deciding on the stiffest “Sport” setting leaves you with a pleasantly compliant journey. There’s larger 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 kind, isn’t 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 snug journey for every day driving duties.
What different Acura Integra critiques can I learn?
2023 Acura Integra First Drive Evaluation: 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 Evaluation
Take a really deep dive into the Integra inside, and particularly the A-Spec with Know-how Bundle. We take an in depth take a look at what it shares with the Civic and the way it’s totally different.
What’s the 2023 Integra value?
Pricing for the 2023 Integra begins at $31,895, together with the $1,095 vacation spot cost. Key customary options embody 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 components inside and outside. The “Crimson” and “Orchid” inside colours are unique to the A-Spec.
You may also add the Know-how bundle to the A-Spec, bringing the worth to $36,895. The six-speed handbook can successfully be added with it as a no-cost choice. Though this bundle is named “Know-how,” it may extra precisely be described as “luxurious,” because it provides a lot of the key objects anticipated of a automobile sporting a luxurious badge. These extras embody 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 scores and driver help options?
Each Integra comes customary 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 embody 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.
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