Historic Nameplate Returns. Acura is currently in the middle of an evolution. The Japanese luxury brand is looking to the past for inspiration to return to making sporty vehicles again. To that end, Acura has brought the Integra name back in a compact hatchback for 2023. The last generation of the Integra was discontinued in 2006. Now, the Integra’s back and looking to fill the discontinued ILX’s spot.
Honda Underpinnings. Unsurprisingly, the 2023 Acura Integra uses the same underpinnings as the Honda Civic hatchback. The engine is borrowed from the Civic Si, which means the Integra is powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 200 horsepower. Acura is one of the few luxury brands to offer one of its vehicles with a six-speed manual transmission, while the other gearbox is a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).
The Integra performs admirably. The turbo engine provides peppy performance, while the six-speed manual transmission is a joy to use. It has short, satisfying throws, while the clutch has a clear bite point and is easy to modulate. The one disappointing element about the Integra’s powertrain is that the six-speed manual transmission is only available with the A-Spec with Technology Package trim. That means getting into the priciest Integra available.
With heavy steering, an athletic chassis, and available adaptive suspension, the Integra offers spry handling. In the available Sport mode, the Integra has lively handling around corners, while Comfort and Normal make things far more comfortable. Without the same sticky tires as the Civic Si, the Integra doesn’t handle nearly as aggressively, but it’s more comfortable on a regular basis.
Stylish, Yet Practical. The Integra has a familial design with other Acuras in the lineup, but has a nifty liftback design to make it look more interesting than a traditional sedan. It’s also a nod to past Integras, which were available in hatchback body styles.
The design also results in a compact vehicle with a usable interior. The rear seats offer 37.4 inches of rear legroom, while cargo capacity measures 24.3 cubic feet of space with the rear seats in place. These figures are more than what you’ll find with other compact luxury cars.
While the Acura shares the same overall interior design as the Civic that it’s based on, the luxury automaker has done a good job making the Integra feel more upscale. The hatchback features premium materials that feel on par for the luxury class. The main issue with the Integra’s cabin is that it lets a lot of road noise in at highway speeds.
Value Forward. If we told you that the new Integra is a great value option, would you be surprised? Acura’s known for being far more value-oriented than its German rivals and the trend continues with the 2023 Integra.
The base Integra comes standard with a 7-inch touchscreen, a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster, eight audio speakers, heated front seats, and leatherette upholstery. You’ll also get an extensive suite of advanced safety features like adaptive cruise control, traffic jam assist, traffic sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert, which are features that other automakers charge consumers extra for.
The available Technology package, which can only be specified with the A-Spec, brings a 9-inch touchscreen, a 5.3-inch head-up display, a wireless charging pad, a 16-speaker ELS audio system, and three USB-C charging ports. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are also included with the Technology pack. We recommend the Technology pack, but we can’t tell you how happy we are to see the Integra ditch the touchpad controller found on other Acuras.
Too Close To A Civic? With the engine out of a Civic Si, the same interior design as the Civic, and similar tech features to the Civic, one can make the argument that the Integra is a fancy Civic Si that costs more money. There is a case for that argument, as the Integra starts at $31,895 (with destination), while the Civic Si costs $28,595.
The two vehicles are incredibly similar, with the Acura featuring a sharper design, nicer interior materials, and a few tech features you won’t find on the Civic Si. Acura also offers the Integra with a CVT, while the Honda is only offered with a manual gearbox. Most people will find the Civic Si to be the better option of the two, but for those that see the Integra with some nostalgia, the extra $3,300 is worth the extra cost.
Final Thoughts. The Integra name is back with the 2023 Acura Integra. This time, the name is being used in an upscale, sporty, fun, and value-packed compact hatchback. Sound familiar? While it doesn’t have the power or the first-class interior as some of its competitors, it’s an affordable hatchback that’s fun to drive and has a six-speed manual transmission. Sometimes, more is less.
Audi offers the subcompact A3 in potent S3 and RS3 trims. Those offer serious performance, come with standard all-wheel drive, and have larger touchscreens than the Integra.
The BMW 2-Series is a true sports car, at least in its coupe body style. It’s not available with a manual transmission, but has up to 382 hp, is available with AWD, sharp handling, high-tech features, and a high-end interior.
