A Nostalgia Tinged Luxurious Hatchback That Is Satisfyingly Good To Drive
Though the Acura ILX on reflection wasn’t ever all that dangerous, it nonetheless wasn’t precisely probably the most liked car. Thus, when Acura shocked a bunch of tipsy present goers throughout Pebble Seaside 2021 with a cryptic teaser of a brand new Acura Integra, proven through a drone-powered gentle present within the evening sky, the web went abuzz with hypothesis. Quick-forward a bit of over a 12 months and a half, the Integra is lastly right here, as Acura’s least expensive, smallest, and most nostalgia-inducing mannequin. Based mostly on the Honda Civic, the 2023 Acura Integra goals to be a compelling entry-level, luxurious automotive with a contact of sport and an obtainable guide transmission.
Key Options
- Out there 6-speed guide transmission
- Turbocharged, 1.5-liter engine with 200 horsepower
- EPA estimated 36MPG freeway
Specs
- Engine/Motor: 1.5 Liter Turbo4
- Horsepower: 200
- Torque: 192 lb-ft
- Drivetrain: FWD
- Transmission: Six-Pace Guide/CVT
- MSRP: 30,800-35,800
Professionals
- Dynamically partaking to drive
- Spacious inside
- Good shifting, segment-exclusive guide transmission
Cons
- Questionable worth proposition in comparison with the Honda Civic Si
- Refinement and sense of luxurious not so good as opponents
What’s the 2023 Acura Integra?
For those who’ve been anyplace close to the automotive fanatic scene since, oh, say, for the reason that late Nineteen Nineties, you’ll in all probability be acquainted in some trend with the Integra. Born within the late Nineteen Eighties, the Integra has at all times been the entry-level Acura, slotting beneath the flagship Legend, and midsize Vigor. Beneath, it was basically a Honda Civic with extra luxurious appointments, but, that excellent pedestrian base proved to be a terrific jumping-off level for a luxurious car. Ultimately, the Integra gave technique to the Acura RSX, after which the Acura ILX, however neither might recapture the magic that the Integra introduced.
Thus, most fanatics in all probability keep in mind the Integra from the place it stood in popular culture. Like, they give the impression of being again on automotive greats like Tiff Nedell, extolling the virtues of the Integra Sort-R. They’ve obtained fond recollections of video vixens and import fashions posing subsequent to them at auto reveals impressed by The Quick and the Livid. Lore apart, the Integra was at all times one factor at its core: a very nice Civic-based automotive, bought at a extra premium worth.
The 2023 Acura Integra actually is that very same ethos, too. Beneath, the Acura Integra shares a lot of its structural design and operating gear with the Honda Civic Si. But, Acura has made styling and refinement adjustments that intention to persuade the customer to pay a bit of more money for the Integra. In immediately’s world, the Integra competes in opposition to different entry-level automobiles of its kind, just like the rakish Mercedes-Benz CLA-class, the fashionable Audi A3, or the surprisingly refined BMW 2-series Gran Coupe.
Stylistically, the Integra wears the identical exterior design language we’ve seen on different Acuras just like the TLX and MDX, albeit with some distinctive touches. For instance, in a nod to the long-lasting first two generations of the Integra, an embossed Integra script emblem is beneath the motive force’s aspect headlight and passenger aspect taillight.
Not everyone seems to be a fan of the Integra’s styling, however it’s undoubtedly a automotive that appears higher in individual relatively than in pictures. Personally, I don’t have any sturdy opinions both method, however my greatest grievance is that the Integra’s proportions are clearly shared with the Honda Civic. The 2 automobiles could not share any physique panels, however the Integra has the identical comparatively upright windshield rake, and low beltline we’ve seen on the Civic. Dimensionally, the Integra and Civic have the identical 107.7” wheelbase, and equivalent entrance and rear monitor widths.
If the outside didn’t cue you into the Civic roots, the inside undoubtedly will. It’s not just like the Integra’s inside is dangerous, the plastics are of excellent high quality, with smooth contact supplies on many surfaces in attain from the motive force’s seat. The match and end of trim items, switches, and knobs, are typically excellent. The inside’s structure could be very usable, every little thing is straightforward to search out, and no management or dial is just too removed from attain. The infotainment is straightforward to make use of, particularly in comparison with the considerably irritating expertise of different Acuras, just like the MDX. The seats are snug and supportive for cruising and sportier driving; the A-spec mannequin has swanky Alcantara inserts on the entrance seats, whereas the rears are simply leather-based. In contrast to different opponents, the Integra has beneficiant rear legroom and a spacious trunk.
Regardless of these being good issues, the Integra nonetheless feels a bit of too near its Civic roots. True, Acura has modified the dashboard, door panels, and seats from the Civic, however the total vibe is unshakably compact Honda. Sure, the Integra has a couple of goodies, just like the ELS Audio System, and heads-up show that isn’t obtainable on the Civic. However, when you have been anticipating an enormous heart knob or touchpad infotainment navigation just like the RDX or MDX, or perhaps a extra intimate-feeling inside just like the TLX, then the Integra could really feel disappointing to you.
The 2023 Acura Integra Is a Bit Retro To Drive, However In A Good Approach
Arguably, the largest distance between the Civic and Integra, and the Integra and its opponents, is its powertrain. The Integra has the identical 1.5-liter, direct-injected turbocharged engine because the Honda Civic Si. It produces 200 horsepower and 192 ft-lbs of torque, and in contrast to the Civic Si, it may be had with an automated transmission. Additionally, the Integra is offered with a guide transmission, one thing you possibly can’t get on the Mercedes-Benz CLA, Audi A3, or BMW 2-series Gran Coupe.
On paper, the Acura Integra’s specs are form of meh, however automobiles can typically be greater than the sum of their elements or specs. Relying on the supply, the Integra can solely flip a 0-60 time within the low 7-second vary, simply walked by quite a lot of non-premium automobiles. Its grip ranges from the all-season tires are decrease than the summer-only choices on the Civic Si.
And but, behind the wheel of the Integra I discovered myself not likely caring all that a lot. The 1.5-liter turbo feels nearly like fan service to Hondas of outdated in the way it builds its energy; not a lot on the backside, however constructing all up high, like an outdated B-series Honda. The engine is revvy in ways in which the two.0-liter engines from the German huge three simply aren’t. It is an engine that encourages you to drive laborious, rewarding you with a keen torque curve that won’t have as a lot as you’d like, however offers what it has with all of its machined coronary heart. The transmission gearing is well-matched, with a feather-light clutch that’s straightforward to modulate and throws that really feel satisfyingly mechanical. The steering is nice, and the Integra will even show a predictably playful eagerness to rotate its rear finish when pushed laborious sufficient. As satisfying the Integra is to drive, it doesn’t really feel as refined because the financial institution vault-like Mercedes-Benz CLA-class or BMW 2-series Gran Coupe.
Does the 2023 Acura Integra Make Sense?
The Integra gained’t seemingly ever beat these “only a Honda Civic Si, not value it” allegations. As a result of, nicely, it form of is. Kind of. As examined, the 2023 Acura Integra A-Spec with the Know-how Bundle (the one technique to get a 6MT Integra) clocked in at $38,445, together with the $600 for the particular Liquid Carbon Metallic gray paint. By comparability, the most cost effective 2023 Civic Si could possibly be had for $29,595. That’s $8,850 cheaper than the Integra. Does that make sense? Is the Acura Integra value $8,000 extra {dollars}? It relies upon.
For some, that reply is not any, it isn’t. Those that have been useless set on the Civic Si would possibly discover the Integra’s upgrades not definitely worth the worth of entry. Others who’re purchasing within the entry-level premium phase could discover the Integra’s beginning worth alluring, however turned off by the shortage of an AWD choice and relative lack of refinement.
For others, the additional worth is value it. The Integra’s leather-based seats, premium sound system, hatchback physique, adjustable dampers, and barely softer demeanor could be compelling. It’s as if Acura lastly constructed the proper Honda Civic Si. This purchaser desires one thing that’s partaking and earnest, however nonetheless a pleasant, snug place to be, with out all of the hyper-complicated transmissions and gimmicks present in different manufacturers producing automobiles of the identical class. This individual actually preferred the Civic Si, however simply needed one thing nicer, quieter, and in hatchback type.
All Issues Thought of, The 2023 Acura Integra Is A Good Automotive
It’s not typically to see a guide transmission in a brand new automotive today. As we electrify and SUVify our transportation, the visceral feeling of having fun with an engine’s vibrations, urgent a clutch pedal, and pulling a lever backward, is rapidly dying out. Electrical powertrains are silent and almost vibration-free. New automobiles are smooth, quiet, and really refined, on the expense of persona.
However, the Integra stands exterior of that critique. It’s partaking, charming, and stuffed with charisma, with only a sprint of nostalgia. I can see why it gained the distinguished North American Automotive of The 12 months award, it’s a likable automotive. The shifter feels related to the gearbox, the engine makes noise, and the general expertise is one way or the other joyful. Its execution may not please geeks in the hunt for a yellow two-door coupe with an enormous wing, or the patron wanting a Mercedes-Benz CLA type swanky coupe, however with extra space. For the appropriate purchaser, the 2023 Acura Integra’s persona and entertaining driving dynamics would possibly simply be the ticket.
